Google Docs Rocks! Monday, August 30 9-11 and 11-1

Cloud Computing is the newest thing in technology. The ACTC will be offering 2 classes to introduce you to Google Docs, which is a form of information sharing using the Cloud concept. If you've always saved your Word files or Excel spreadsheets to your hard drive, and then sent them as an email attachment, you need to get your head into the cloud. With Google Docs, you can upload those files directly to a free Google account, and then share them with your co-workers or friends in REAL TIME, and do it with just a URL address. If you want to see what this can do for you, come to the ACTC on Monday, August 30 from 9-11 or 11-1 and see what else you can do with Office documents.
PS: to try out Google Docs before the class, just use the ACTC Online Registration form. Or fill out a Post-Class Assessment form. Yes, those are Google Docs!
Register for either class online. This is not a hands-on class (we'll have those available later) but you will see the power of using this new technology.

Judith's Corner: Cloud Computing: The Newest 'Kid' on the Block

A lot of students realize that understanding technology and the tech tools, such as Office 2007, the Internet or Email, are essential for getting prepared for a new job. I often get asked about what else is beyond Office. Well, the answer is in the clouds, or more specifically, a new direction in computing called 'Cloud Computing'. That was the topic of the last T3 Group, and is definitely something you should know.

Cloud computing takes Office programs and 'kicks them up a notch' by making them shareable from the Web, in real time. So if you are creating an Excel document from your office in Aurora, but want your co-worker in St. Charles to be able to see and EDIT that document at the same time you are writing it, clouds can make that happen. We use Google Docs here in the ACTC to share information between students and instructors with my office at Waubonsee. Do you know that when you register online, I can immediately see your registration, and more importantly, can access it from Sugar Grove or the Aurora Campus, or the ACTC, or even from my iPhone as soon as you hit Submit? 
 If the class instructors are at the ACTC, I can add your name to the class roster from my office and they will see it immediately. They can even ask me a text question if we are online at the same time. Almost any document can be uploaded to Google Docs and shared.  And if you know Office already, Google Docs will be an easy transition for you.

So the ACTC will be moving forward with some classes geared towards cloud computing so that you can be up to date with the newest trends in technology. There's a two part Google Docs class on Monday, August 30 from 9-11 and 11-1 which will also highlight other Cloud tools such as the MS Office SkyDrive. I'll be teaching that class, and some of the ACTC instructors may pop in too. That class is filling up, so if you are interested, jump on the cloud and register online soon.  There are two classes, 9-11 and 11-1.
See you there!

Judith