ISG Blog

With the increase of chromebook use within The Salvation Army, there are a number of queries about how to do different things within this new environment. 

If you have such queries, feel free to log a ticket with iSG in Supportal.

One question we have received is with regard opening *.rtf files. An *.rtf file is a Rich Text Format file. It is commonly used for files that have text, and it is compatible on most text viewing/editing programs.

To open an *.rtf attachment from your webmail follow the following steps:

1. Click on the file that you would like to view. The file will download when you click on it. It should appear on the downloads bar at the bottom of your browser. If it doesn’t appear, it will be in your Downloads folder when you click on the Files icon. Please do not open the file after it has downloaded. You will receive an error.
2. Next you will want to move the file into your Google Drive. To do this, you can open Google Drive and upload the file, or you can click­ and ­drag on the file to move it into Google Drive.
3. To Upload:
   1. Go to your Google Drive and look for the upload icon.
   2. When you click on it,
   3. choose Files…
   4. Select the .rtf file
   5. and click Open.
4. Once the file is in your Google Drive:
   1. Check the box next to it.
   2. Click on the button titled, More.
   3. Click on Open with.
   4. Select Google Docs. Your file should open in a new Google Doc.

Do you create documents that are going to be printed and have people fill them in? Maybe they're activity sheets, or you're collecting information from a group of people.

Whatever the reason Google Docs lets you create BOXES so you have really good looking printed documents for people to work with. All you're doing is creating a table and adding borders (so this is both a great tip on adding boxes AND using tables to format your document)!

Learn more here.

Are you using Google Docs to keep track of minutes during a meeting? If not, you may want to consider it. Everyone in the meeting can collaborate on the document and edit it live. This means you get better minutes that are more accurate and you don't need to send them out later to be checked!

Meetings usually result in actions, and sometimes the actions are for people who weren't at the meeting. Google Docs makes that a really simple thing to achieve! Directly in the Google Doc you can assign actions and the person will be notified AND be able to put the information directly into the document!

Learn more here.

Hopefully you knew that in Google Docs you can talk instead of type. If you didn't you can learn a little about it at this blog post: Dictate that Document. However, the great thing about Google products is the keep on improving and getting new features all the time!

Want to highlight that sentence you just spoke? Say highlight yellow! Are you reviewing somebody elses document and want to add a comment, say insert comment then make your comment. You can even align text and add columns, with your voice!  

Learn more by going here.

Another tip that is actually a Chrome tip but is related to writing which is why I'm posting it as part of the Google Docs series. 

Grammarly is a Chrome extension that revises text you type in Chrome. It suggests corrections for you to make to your spelling and your grammar, and it even provides an explanation for you with alternative options to chose from. To learn how to use the extension, watch the video above and follow the steps here.

Copious amounts of our communication are written. While we need to communicate in plain English, some words are superior in their ability to convey a message. Todays tip is actually about Google Chrome (the browser), but we think you'll like it when you need to write!

Callow. Firebrand. Harangue. Excoriate. Schadenfreude. Sangfroid. Do you know what these words mean?

With the Magoosh Chrome extension, you learn a new word in every new Chrome tab you open. The interface is super simple, making learning new words very easy–you’ll learn new words without even thinking about it. Check it out by clicking hither.

Every feel as though you repeat a word repeatedly in a sentence, or document because you can't think of another word for repeat? You probably already know about a thesaurus BUT they struggle with phrases such as "look down on" or plurals like "runners" and are hopeless. 

Computers are supposed to be smart and AI (artificial intelligence) means computers are doing smarter things all the time. Why not use some of those smarts to help you out when you don't really want to "look down on" something?

Add the Google Docs Thesaurus Pro add-on to find different ways of communicating. For instructions go here.

Oh and a bonus tip if you love etymology, in Google type etymology before a word and learn all about the origin of the word:

Google Docs is available to us all using an @salvationarmy.org.nz login. It is a really capable product and continues to get better everyday. The next few posts provide information on some really great things you can do in Google Docs!

Word clouds are a really neat way to capture the essence of a piece of text. Or you can do what I did to create the above example and just type a few words over and over (well I only type each word once then used <CTRL>+<C> and <CTRL>+<V>) to create a simple word cloud.

For instructions on how to make Word Clouds in Google Docs look here.

At various times when talking to you, our users, about the features of Google Apps, we have mentioned that there are some features found in the Microsoft Office equivalent that may not be available in Google Apps.

We have also mentioned that the way Google works is that, because its based on the web, updates can happen without you even noticing, and so although today what one asks for may not be available, tomorrow it may.

One of the features people have asked particularly with regards Google Docs is the ability to create Columns, and we are thrilled to let you all know that this now exists!!  You can now easily split your document into multiple columns in Docs. Just choose “Columns” in the “Format” drop-down menu when you need more formatting options to get your point across.

Of course, if there is a feature you can't find within the app, search the "Add-Ons" menu to see if you can find what you need.  Google work with a number of other companies who may have created just what you are looking for and through the Add-Ons menu its there waiting for you to install it.  You don't even need ISG for this!!  Just find the Add-On, add it, and get on with using it.

Google Docs is similar to Microsoft Word. One of the big advantages of it is that you don't need to install it. You can access it from within a browser (Chrome works best). In addition to this it makes it really simple to review, edit, and create documents on your smartphone (or tablet). It 

If you usually work on a document with someone else, or need to get it reviewed by someone then Google Docs has a live collaboration feature that saves lots of time! Live collaboration works whether you're in the office or at the beach, on your laptop or your smartphone! It works pretty much anywhere! 

Google Docs can also eliminate the need to email attachments to people. You can just let them access the file (with full control over the permissions they have). In short Google Docs is a word processor designed to work with the devices and environment that we have.

To read more check out this blog: bazroberts.com/google-docs or try it out for yourself at drive.google.com using your @salvationarmy.org.nz account. Once logged in click on big blue NEW button (as per the screen shot below):