Should you create a Gmail Account or are you giving up too much personal data?
It’s a legitimate question.
I’ve found that Google is mostly helpful in providing free software applications, and that you can limit the personal information you give up in exchange.
That’s true as long as you understand what you are doing.
Do I Want a Gmail Account?
Two events lead me to write today’s post. One was the pronouncement by a friend that she was a “Google Dork” because she didn’t know how to access Google Drive, make a Google Doc, or read Docs shared to her drive.
Many people aren’t brave enough to ask for help. She was.
The second was the statement by another friend that she needed an iPad Pro to create files and organize her electronic documents. What???
She had been sold a bill of goods, based on her lack of tech knowledge.
Google offers ways to create and organize information on the Internet. And it’s free.
Google Apps for Free
Once you have created your account, you can explore all of the Google apps, like Drive, Docs, Maps, Photos, and YouTube.
In order to access all of the free* stuff Google has to offer, you need to create a Gmail account. This doesn’t mean that you have to use the account for your email, you just need to create one.
*Free in that you do not pay in currency. You do, however, accept Google’s terms of use.
How to Create a Gmail Account
Let’s begin at the beginning. Here is a Google search page:
At the top, right hand side of the screen, you see:
Click on “Gmail.”
Click on the drop down that says “more.” Then, click “create an account.” Fill out the info, and write down your username and password.
Now, you’re ready to explore Google Apps.
Create Your First Google Doc
Go back to those dots in the upper right corner and click. Find the “Drive” app in the middle of the list. Your Google Drive will open.
On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a “New” button. When you click it, it shows programs.
“Google Docs” will give you document templates.
Open a blank document and type something.
On the top left, it will say, “Untitled.” Click on this, then give your Doc a title.
In the toolbar beneath your title, to the far right, you will notice the words “Saving…” or “All changes saved in Drive.” Google Drive automatically saves your work.
When you are finished and “All changes saved in Drive.” shows at the top of the page, you can close out of the tab. Or, if you want to go back to your main Drive page, click on the blue Docs Home button on the far left top of the screen, and then the dots on the right top of that page.
You should now be back at your Drive page. You should see the Doc you were just working on, at the top of your Drive page.
Congratulations! You’ve just created your first Google Doc and saved it in your Google Drive!
You can now sign out of your Google account by clicking on the intial button at the top right. Then, choose “log out.”
Or, you can just close the tab and you will automatically continue to be logged in. Just be aware that anyone using the computer can open your Google account unless you log out.
I hope this post has helped you on your way to becoming a Google pro. Stayed tuned for more tips to maximize your Google account.
