Sumo Paint Basic

Sumo Paint is a neat tool, but I feel I need more practice with this program before I master it. IT reminds me of a program GIMP that I have used before. I felt it was easier to enhance the photo, than to do other stuff to it. I was not comfortable using the filters. Here are some photos I edited using Sumo Paint.

The banner could have been better I feel if I had a little more practice using the layer feature. I espeically liked the scribbel assignment, as I felt comfortable using that.

Sumo Paint Photo Enhancement

I like enhancing photos better than editing them and trying to add multiple layers. This is a really neat program, I just feel I needed more practice with it. I was not comfortable using filters, but other than that, it's free, is accessible universally via the web, so it's great. It reminds me of a similar program GIMP that we used in web design. I feel if I had more practice in this program I would like it better.

It really helps to edit back photo taking. This is a task I feel I could complete without further training.

The football photo involved layers, and somehow I got it to work. Obviously the picture can have more graphics & detail if you utilize the filters, this is something I must practice.

Google Docs Slideshow Presentations

What I love about Google is how easy and convenient they make programs. I do like that you can access this feature via the web, but I also still feel like I prefer the Microsoft version. Google does make it easy with all the doc features. It was very easy to create a spreadsheet. If your Internet connection is not the greatest, this program does run a little slower. Microsoft  also has more options, for example font type. The Google version only offers a couple.
I didn't even know Google Heath existed before this assignment. I chose to do Google Earth because I have already used it, and wanted to learn more about it. I love the street view feature! You can get a 360 degree view of your destination. I have used this to give directions to places I have never even been too. I just discovered the several new showcases like the sky & under water views. I especially love that I can access all these google tools from my phone!

google Forms!!!!

This really is a remarkable free easy tool to use. I remember making forms in web design and this tool is soo much easier!! All you have to do is fill in the blanks and it creates an easy, professional form. I can't wait to start using it!! It took me like 5 mins to create this form....which now all the sudden is not loading. Well, when it does, I will post!! Until then....                           

More spreadsheets.... :)

So, this week, I decided to just create my spreadsheet in Google instead of importing it from Excel. Last week when I transfered my files from excel and uploaded it to the Docs section, the import was not as accurate. Some formulas did not carry over, and the layout was not the same.  This week's assignment went much smoother using one program. Here is my homework.

Google Spreadsheets

I used Microsoft Excel for most of the homework and just opened it in the Google Spreadsheets. I guess if I didn't have excel I could use the google app, but I must prefer to use Microsoft's version. The apps with google seem to go too slow for me. I think there are more options with Excel.

Google Docs Word Processing

I really enjoyed using Google Docs. This program is especially helpful it you don't have a Microsoft Office package and you don't want to buy one for a couple hundred bucks. Anything you need to do on Word you can do on the Google Docs option. I like that it is a universal file so you can access anywhere.

The only minor complaint I do have is regarding the hierarchy chart. I have created several in Word, and there is actually several hierarchy charts already created and you can chose the format and edit it yourself. In google docs I had to create everything, including the lines to connect all the boxes together. This was a bit time consuming. I would prefer to create it in word, and just paste or import it onto google docs.

I also had a problem when I was trying to copy and paste my hierarchy drawing and paste it into a document. The copy and paste function was not working on the Google Docs. Because of these small hiccups I would prefer to create any type of charts of anything out of the ordinally in my Word program. I did enjoy how easy it was to use the google templates. Very helpful.

Google Docs Word Processor

I am not too fond of the google word processor. I much prefer to use Microsoft Word. I had the hardest time moving images on the document. Every time I started moving the image, the page would freeze and shut down. At least it saved my work. The google page shut down on me approx 5 times, which made me quite frustrated. Word gives you more options to format text and images and doesn't restart on you. I would only use Google docs if I had to.

Google Calendar

I like the google calendar becaue it not only sets your appointments, it makes it easily assesible. I can access it on my phone, share it with others, and sync multiple calendars.

Google Calendar

I always have to have a calendar, but I find I am having to input my activities multiple times, b/c I have a wall calendar, and then a small pocket calendar in my purse, and then I will have an additional calendar at work. With my new phone, anything I enter into the calendar gets input into my google calendar and vice versa. If I had it entered into my google calendar online, it puts in on my phone. This allows me to access my calendar several different ways, but I only have to put the info once. One again, I love google and my new EVO phone!! Can't say enough great things about them both.

My iGoogle

iGoogle is your personalized google homepage. On iGoogle you can add gadgets to your needing or liking. Its a way to create your own sort of homepage. Everything you want can be found on the same page. On my iGoogle you can access my Gmail without having to enter my Gmail page. I also have the weather, news, my google calender, as well has my horoscope on the page. Its kinda like reading your favorite parts of a newspaper. You can put all your favorite sections on one page instead of having to flip through multiple pages to find what you want. This is also another convenience factor that google offers!!

My Gmail

I have had several email accounts for personal use, school and work. I have had a Gmail account for several years, because I needed an email I could access universally, and at any location. I am not too fond of the D2L email because I feel it is a bit dated. I was not too crazy about Gmail at first because I was not comfortable with the layout. I have come to love my Gmail because I can access so many features/ products right from my Gmail. I can also access my Gmail from my phone and it syncs my google calendar into my phone. I would say one of its biggest features is convenience. I love everything google does!!

Cloud Computing Introduction

I am taking the CLOUD COMPUTING course as an elective so I can obtain my bachelors degree and graduate in the Summer of 2011. I have had Dr. Stevens for 3 computer classes so far, and not only enjoy her as a teacher, but also the classes she teaches. There is always something new to learn on the Internet or about computers.

• I found out about this course after I finished my last course with Dr.S, Spreadsheet Applications.
• So far, I have learned how to utilize google, so I can personalize it. I also just got a smart phone and am thoroughly enjoying how I can sync my Gmail acct to my phone so I can get emails and access to my calendar on my phone. 
• Advantages of cloud computing are being able to access files anywhere. That is actually why I first created my Gmail account. I needed to be able to check my emails from any computer, instead of just my computer at home. 
• The only disadvantage I have found is I was not too crazy about the layout of the Gmail compared to my past email server/provider. I have gotten over this small  dislike because of the convenience of this service.

I love google, and my Gmail account. I am excited to learn more features of this program.