Google “Dates” Microsoft
Blizzard Associate | 17 April 2006 | Be the first to write a review »
Update: Douglas Bowman has posted some very good Google Calender Tips to help you use Google Calender more effectively.
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For months now, those of us in the SEO world have been waiting to see something that has only been hinted at, eluded too, and mostly denied by Google. Two days ago, the rumors proved accurate and Google launched its new Google Calender.
After signing up for the calendar, you need a Google account to use it, the calendar walks you through the steps needed make it your own. One of the more impressive aspects of the calendar is the ability to pull information from you Microsoft Outlook calendar and place it into your new web based one.
You may wonder why you would want to start using Google’s calendar instead of sticking with your old Outlook one. The main draw is that Google’s version is web based, which means you can use it anywhere you have internet access, not just at your office. This allows for a certain flexibility that only comes with a $500 PDA, but in this case it’s free.
If you have multiple calendars for things like your kids’ practice schedules, your work meeting schedule, and the schedule of the banquet rooms for your hotel, you can do this with Google’s help. Creating multiple calendars is easy and changing between them is a breeze.
Another great aspect of this calendar is that you can share it with anyone you want, and lock them out of places you don’t want them to go. If you want to have a calendar that tracks the use of a conference room that is viewed by anyone in the company, but you don’t want them to see when you have your next hair appointment, this is easily arranged.
Through the sharing aspect, others can also comment on your calendar. Say the salesman can’t make it to your meeting with the new client. The salesman can leave a comment on your calendar asking for you to reschedule. When you change the time, you can send the saleman an invitation to the new appointment, which he can accept or decline. The invitation to the appointment also opens up that one appointment to be viewed and commented on by the salesmen. He won’t be able to see anything other than that appointment.
Last, but certainly not least, is the ability to share your calendar with the world. If your town wants to keep its major events on the calendar, it can. If it’s opened up to the world, anyone can come and see what is happening in your town on any given day. What a great way to advertise, for only the time spent creating the calendar and linking to it.
It appears Google really put some thought into its calendar. Take a look at the calendar; it might be something you might want to use. I know it will be put into use at my household, just to keep track of everyone’s schedules – we’ll have one calendar for every member of the house, except the dogs, since I have’t been able to teach them how to type.
Josh Green – Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc.
