Cloud: Pro & Con

         Here's a risk that Jim Hamm describes, "Storing 'stuff' in the Cloud has its advantages, but also a real risk, too. Take a read on this article where Google just shut an individual off from his Cloud storage. He hadn't done anything wrong to violate any of Google's policies, but someone or something at Google thought he had."
        (Scroll down and consider the logic of those 95 comments already posted on that site.) 

        "Trying to contact someone at Google to find out why this happened is a lost cause. Fortunately, this guy had friends that worked at Google and they ultimately were able to help him. But thee and me? I think we'd be out of luck if Google shoved us off the Cloud. 

        "Which brings me to Gmail. For quite some time I've used Google's web-based Gmail for all my email storage. i no longer download anything to my computers or iPad -- I do everything online. What if Google suddenly shut me off from my Gmail account? All of my emails -- both read and unread -- are stored there, not on my computer. Not a pleasant thought to contemplate. I'd survive, but what a pain.
        Here's Jim's conclusion, "I would never store anything of value in the Cloud. I much prefer an external hard drive for my extra storage. Could something like this happen with a Microsoft or Apple Cloud storage?  I'd guess it's possible. Just something for you to think about when you use the Cloud."

Ten Google Tips to Try

        Today's email tip from Here's The Thing shows 10 quick searches you can make on Google. It simplifies package tracking, converting currency, getting movie showtimes, looking up a definition, tracking a flight, converting units of measurement,  getting a weather report, doing math, check time zones, confirm a quake.  Ben Patterson’s daily email of tips covers iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Facebook, Gmail, Windows, and Mac. See here. 

Take a Look at Google's Insides

        Of course, you wonder what makes Google work!  Jim Hamm found this.  "Here's some pictures of Google. The print on each picture is too small for me to make out, but the first one must be their headquarters. The rest apparently are their servers, except the last one might hold the beverage for Happy Hour, as I understand Google is a relaxed workplace...(grin)...
        "If you use Gmail or do a search on Google, somewhere in this complex your enquiry is roaming around.
        "Just think of the electricity and cooling required to, ah, service all those servers," Jim concludes. 
        A suggestion to you and Jim.  If you wait a few seconds longer on each photo as it comes up your computer may enhance that tiny print so it's readable. Or, do the Command + Option + Control + 8 to toggle to the opposite colors.  Remember, when you're finished the full screen view you do the Escape key to go back to the original site's view.  

Google's New Authentication Process

        "Here's a MacWorld article providing further details on a new two-step authentication process available from Google," begins Jim Hamm.  He goes on, "Since I use Gmail I thought this might be a nice security feature to use. After reading the article, I'm not so sure. Seems a bit complex and convoluted. I think I'll wait for now and see if this authentication process becomes a bit simpler later on."

Google's Olympic Doodles

        Been enjoying the Google Doodles?  With the start of the Olympic games the home page of Google each day has featured a different animated mini-game.  Today's canoe mini-game prompted a search to find out more.  Check out this page.  And here is the final (8-12-12) animated doodle for the Olympics.

Considering Google Drive?

        ( For the benefit of RSS readers see if this works.  Click on http://pmugnews.blogspot.com/ to bring up the whole first page of the blog.)
        This CNBC article is headlined, "Suspicion, Confusion Swirl Around Google Drive."  Take a look to keep informed.

Google & Safari Settings for Cookies

        Jim Hamm keeps a lookout for useful information.  "Here is an article by John Gruber, of the Daring Fireball blog, discussing the use of cookies from websites you visit. It's a little confusing to follow, but apparently Google decided to circumvent settings in Safari and permit ALL websites from placing cookies in your browser, even if you explicitly set Safari NOT to permit this.
        "A 'John Battelle,' whom I've not heard of, wrote an article sort of defending Google in doing this. Gruber disagrees with both Google and Battelle on this issue (as I do, too), and the article lists some of Battele's comments followed Gruber's response."
         Jim explains, "If you're not familiar with Gruber's blog, Daring Fireball, I have a lot of respect for his opinions and comments, on this and other topics.
        "Google wrote code to specifically circumvent Safari's settings, and apparently no longer does this egregious action. Google certainly has been helpful in searching for stuff on the net, but I don't appreciate sneaky actions like this on their part."

6 Steps to Google Privacy

        Today's the day, first of March, when Google's privacy policy changes.  Here's one look at steps someone can take to help get privacy on line.  Watch for more info from the national media, and let us know how you view and cope with this situation.

How to Find Your Answer

        Compliments are due to our webmaster John Carter who also teaches those free SIGs.  (What a lot of spare time he has, you must be thinking.)  But today John informs us that he's had an "awakening"  —there are a lot of answers we can find for ourselves on Google!
        Doing a Google search is something we each learn by trial and error.  But John's examples can help us get the picture.  He sends the following:
Q: How are you sending screen shots in your mac?
Google search: mac screen capture
Tip: Taking Screenshots in Mac OS X - Mac Guides

Q: I’m having trouble understanding the Mac file system.
Google search: mac file system
Tip: Mac OS X File Systems (don’t go here unless you want to be tortured with geek stuff)

But I’m sure you meant how to navigate through the directory structure.
Google search: mac directory structure
Tip: Mac OS X Directory Structure explained
        So, next time you see John give him an understanding nod.  He is a patient guy, but he does want us to learn!

Google Going All In

        This caught John Carter's eye.  He notifies us, "Albert writes in his Continuations blog:  Last July I had predicted that Google would go all in by bundling Google+ aggressively with search and that is exactly what was just announced yesterday with Search, plus Your World. The 'plus Your World' part right now refers 'your world on Google' as only Google+ profiles, posts and shared images are included and not content from Twitter, Facebook or others. John Batelle’s capture this well in his aptly titled 'Search, Plus Your World, As It’s Our World.'"

How to Be Unsociable on Facebook, etc.

        David Passell gets our attention with info on how to be unsociable.  He begins, "I don't know how many of our members are signed on to Facebook, or Twitter. I know that some use Gmail and may also have Google+. Here is an article about how to get rid of them if you feel unsociable : ) , but beware the warnings about Google+ if you have Gmail. I don't have Google+ or a Gmail address, but I understand, (dimly), that my cableone.net e-mail and spam filter are related to Gmail."
       David closes by suggesting members might be interested in a SIG or meeting on using these Social Services.  "Might also include Linkedin. You may not want to 'friend' or 'share' (such warm fuzzy terms :() but there are some interesting people you might want to 'like' or 'follow.'"

Get a Google+ Profile RSS Feed

What?  you say as you read the title here.  Yes, we need to consider the possibilities of Google+ and RSS and Twitter.  Jim Hamm provides this article with simple instructions.  Go to MakeUseOf newsletter and scroll down to to learn the latest.  Jim explains, "I'm not much of a user of Google+ yet, but it might be interesting to see if posts to Google+ would appear via RSS in Google Reader, which I use a lot."

Compare Four Social Media

Compare Facebook vs. Twitter vs. LinkedIn vs. Google+ with the help of this article.  Jim Hamm observes, "In the article the author comments that although Google+ is new and hasn’t yet found a niche, some proponents surmise that it might end up being a Facebook for grownups. I’ve only used Google+ briefly and it will be interesting to see how it develops. I’m a big fan of Google’s Gmail, Google Reader and Google News, so maybe this will fit right in the lineup. All these, plus more, can be accessed on the Google+ website."

A Look at Google+ . . . Updated

Here's a Computerworld look at the many features of the new Google+ which declares it will replace email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, blogging, RSS, Gmail and email newsletters.  The writer says that spammers can't copy, retain and sell your email address.  He says the term "social networking" is not an adequate term for Google+.  Jim Hamm sent us this info. Just now (7-12)  this PCWorld article tells about security risk issues involving an app that allows Firefox and Chrome users to view Facebook data within Google+.

Google Guitar

Maybe you've already seen the Google logo "guitar."  Read this fascinating info: after playing some guitar notes you can save it, forward it, and play around.  Clever!

What's Cookin'?

Did you notice the new listing on Google's page?  Yes, just consider all the possibilities here.  It's time to explore . . .
      
What'cha hungry for?

Maybe it's time for PMUG to have a contest for yummy stuff?

Double click to enlarge the illustration, or better yet, go to Google and see what's up.

Read more from Digitaltrends. 

What the Internet Knows About You

         Art Gorski passes along this "Ego Surfing" reminder:  Google can show you how much the Internet knows about you! When you enclose your first and last name with quotation marks and do a search you might be surprised to see what comes up.
          Google does let you specify "safe search."  Read about it here, and this is where you indicate "do not filter," "use moderate filtering" (default setting), or "strict filtering."  When you scroll to the bottom of that page you see that setting preferences will not work if you have disabled cookies in your browser.
          Google will notify you when new mention is made of your name.  Go to Google > More > Even More and click on Alert, the first in the long list of features there.  I subscribe to that myself to find out when someone has quoted something I've written, and then I go their site to view it.  One of my poems, "Make a Memory"  has been widely quoted and it's fun to see it used in other blogs and websites.  Unless you specify strict filtering you may perhaps come upon some porno site that has used your name.  I caution people about it, and continue to write to Google periodically to complain, but it still happens.

What's the Best Home Page?

Want to simplify the Home Page in your Browser?  Jim Hamm shares some info. "Usually I use iGoogle as my home page, but it contains a lot of information and portals to other websites. It needs a good broadband connection to load quickly. When I'm traveling, quite often the WiFi signals are weak and I need something that loads quickly. This article gives some examples of MSN, Bing, iGoogle, Fav4.org.  Here's the one I might use because you can set up four links you frequently use, and it loads quickly."

Google & Gmail

Ever alert to new info Jim Hamm shares this, "If you use Gmail this article will help you understand more about how to set Gmail to your liking."  Then he can't resist passing along a blog from a "knowledgeable geek."

Watch for Google Goggles Info

Are you reading about "Google Goggles"?   It's a photo-based search in real-time.  This PCWorld article describes its features.  This article from the UK points out serious privacy concerns. Barbara Krasnoff, Computerworld points out, "So what's scary? The day when you can quickly point your smartphone at a person in the street and know within seconds that person's name and particulars may not be that far off."