I was browsing around the official Google blogs today, and I saw a new post at the Official Google Docs & Spreadsheets Blog: An entirely new way to stay organized. As readers of this blog know, I already said in my google-luuuuuuuuuv post that I wished Google Docs existed when I was still a student. Well, it didn't, and I suppose there's nothing I can do about it, but the cool thing now is that it's getting more improvements.

Eye candy~
It says in the post:

"The entire document list has been given a complete visual overhaul..."

So I strode on over to Google Docs and ooh-lala! Complete visual overhaul it is. I'm lovin' it. ♡

Okay, okay, so maybe it's not so revolutionary. It actually has a classic layout, but a modern look, much like Explorer programs we're used to. It's not just eye candy, really, but the interface is much nicer and easier to use now.

Folderssssssss
Ah, yes. The super-organizer's best friend. Although I already thought that the labels were fine, dontcha just love it when you can file your stuff where they're supposed to be?

Even cooler, our new folders continue to work like the tags they've replaced - your old tags are automatically converted to folders and documents can live in more than one folder at a time.

Oh, thank you, G! Mehehehe. Now we don't have to reorganize everything just because something new is added to the system.



There are other new features, like right to left directionality for spreadsheets, and Google Suggest kind of thing going on in the search.

For more info, you can also check the What's New page for Google Docs & Spreadsheets.

I suppose the only thing that raised my eyebrow is the fact that they entitled their blog entry to be "an entirely new way to stay organized". Er... Folders aren't actually a new thing, and, as I said, the look of the site isn't phenomenally amazing. But, hey, can you blame Google for making an attractive headline? ^^ Yey for the continuous improvement of Goofle products, indeed.

So now, I'm wondering: might this mean that GMail will also get a makeover? Hehehe...

Sunday, June 24, 2007

every desktop a PC

I guess it's been one of those things that everyone had been envisioning.

Apple made a video about it in the late 1980s. Dr. Merrick in The Island had a spankin' crystal one. It's been whispered for years now, and, finally, on the 29th of May 2007, it was made public.

Microsoft Surface goes mainstream.

The magic, the power, the possibilities.

Like, whoa. When I first heard the rumors about this big-ass multi-touch table of a computer, I scoffed, thinking, "Shyeah, right!" But lookie here! Microsoft delivers. Bill Gates himself demonstrates Microsoft Surface, and, I gotta say, it looks mighty fine. I was practically drooling when I first watched this Microsoft Surface Parody. Let it be known that I did not actually drool, but I came dangerously close to it as my jaw was hanging open.



So, as expected, there came praises thundered, as did rants, about this new product. As a PC-user myself, I think I'm very excited over this thing, and whether or not I can actually afford it is beyond the point. I mean, just look at that! You can freakin' transfer photos by simply putting your camera on the screen (provided it's got Bluetooth, I guess). You can freakin' PAINT (without the paint itself, of course) on the freakin' screen! With a paintbrush! Ha! There may be hope for me yet as a painter.

A significant number of bloggers had commented that it's "just iPhone, except it's a lousy, heavy table". Err... yeah. But the screen display is 30 inches and that helps your poor eyes a lot, and a group of friends won't have to crowd around a computer to look at photos. And, like, duh. The iPhone is made to be portable. MS Surface is made for homes. Different uses. They're not to be compared on that point, methinks.

But, still, as cool as this gadget may be, I still have a couple of negative thoughts about it. Like, I'm reminded, again, of how lazy people can be. The voice over in the Parody said it all in this line:

...instead of interacting with people, you can order your food right where you are.

True, true, this is convenient, and, honestly, I think I'll thoroughly enjoy ordering food with Microsoft Surface. I think I'll totally enjoy playing with the bubbles that'll appear when I put my cold drink on the acrylic tabletop.

But still, I can't help thinking being reminded about The Net.

My worst thought about MS Surface? Some people might use its video sharing as an excuse not to spend time with their kids and friends. I shudder because of that. My parents, as irritated as I was with them when I was a slightly rebellious teenager, were always there, and, looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way.

But then, I might just be overreacting on that point. After all, we've had videos around for years, and parents (not all of 'em anyway) haven't deserted their kids yet. Maybe I'm just too affected by that part in the Parody. Hehe.

All fears aside, MS Surface really does look like an awesome thing to play with use in hotels and restaurants. Word is it won't be released til winter 2007, and until then, I suppose we can all just wait.