Hard Learning

Since I’ve started my business endeavours I’ve found myself using more and more of Google’s applications and recently I’ve decided to go all in. They have a versatility that seems to fit just perfectly with my working style. I can access everything I need pretty much anyway (mostly assuming an internet connection), they have the types of applications I need, and best of all, it’s free!

If you’re reading this then I’m sure you already know about Google as a search engine and most of you also know they do email as Gmail (makes sense, right?). I first started using Gmail back in college and it’s pretty much sat there unused for the last 10 years or so. Sure, every once in a while it came in handy but I really needed it when I began looking for a new job. And obviously I still don’t want my current employer knowing my work on buying a business (please don’t mention their name if you leave a comment!) so I’ve been using it a lot in the past few months.

The next way they got a hook into me was with a free word processor. While doing some data analysis for an online game I play I was introduced to Google Docs and Google Sheets. Docs is like Microsoft Word and Sheets is like Excel. Only free. I used Sheets a little for the game and then forgot about it. But when I wanted to take notes on my computer I realized that my Windows 10 version of Word was expired and I was not interested in paying for a subscription. So I went online and used Docs instead. Docs and Sheets are a bit dumbed down from their Microsoft counterparts, but they get the job done.

Later I found out that the only way you can use Docs or Sheets off line is with the Google Chrome web browser. Now, I had been using Microsoft’s Edge browser, that comes with Windows 10, and I was happy with it. I also thought that Google forcing you to use their browser is somewhat obnoxious… but on the other hand Chrome is free! So I made the switch and Chrome doesn’t seem to be any better than Edge but it also isn’t any worse. I guess I’m happy with this browser too.

The last way they got me was when I needed to consolidate my contacts. Previously I had contacts on my work computer, on the work phone, some on my Gmail account, a few on the personal computer, and of course Fair Piper had more on her phone. I realized that the only place that made sense to keep them all together was on Google Contacts. It took me a while to get them all together but now if my computer or phone ever die on me I will have everything backed up with Google.

This is kind of a long story that just feels like an advertisement for Google (I’m hoping they will notice and boost my search rating!) but the point is that there are free ways to do these things efficiently. Plus it was kind of fun figuring out how to make everything fit together and now it’s one less problem on the road to a business!