Preface

Google Power Tools Bible gives everyone - whether a computer guru trying to figure out how Google can help with their business, or the average person at home who uses Google to do Web searches but would like to know more about what other things Google provides - an in-depth look at the products and services Google offers to date. Learn about services like Gmail, Google Talk, Google Desktop, or how to make money with Google AdSense. This book helps business owners by guiding them through the many services Google offers business, whether it’s advertising on the Web, or integrating satellite images of the Earth into business processes. More than anything, this book helps you discover things about Google that will entertain you, simplify your life, and make your Internet experience more efficient.

How To Use This Book

The book is divided into the following parts:

• Part I: Navigating Google Information - Finding things on the Internet is what Google does best. The chapters in this part help you navigate the many services Google offers for finding Web pages, images, videos, news, scholarly articles, maps, and products. In addition to Web searching, this part covers Google Earth, configuring Google Desktop, portfolio management with Google Finance, and selling just about anything through Google Base.

• Part II: Communicating Google Style - Google provides a number of great programs for communicating and sharing information. This part shows you how to setup and use Gmail for your e-mail, Google Talk for instant messaging, and Picasa for editing and sharing pictures. Learn to communicate with others using Google Groups and Blogger, or share your daily schedule using Google Calendar.

• Part III: Going Mobile - You’re not stuck to your desk with Google. When you’re on the go, find out where it is you’re going using Google Mobile Maps. Chapters in this part also help you get the most from your mobile Web surfing experience and find just about any information you need using SMS text messaging. You also learn about creating mobile Web resources.

• Part IV: Google-izing Your Computer - Installing and using the Google Pack applications help you get the most out of your computer. This part also covers the efficiency-increasing Google Toolbar and Firefox extensions as well as creating 3D models using Google’s SketchUp.

• Part V: Google and the Enterprise - The chapters in this part help businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to large corporations learn how to market themselves using Google AdWords. Also learn how to make money by hosting Google ads on your Web pages and blogs. Make good business decisions regarding online resources by using Google Analytics and Google Trends. Use Google enterprise applications to expand business desktops and discover how you can use Google Maps in your business processes. When you need extra Google power, you can always add Google hardware.

• Part VI: Exploring Google Innovation - Find out about what’s coming next at Google. See what is developing in the Google labs and try the newest Google applications while they are being developed.