Google might have a basic search interface, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have some fun. We’ve seen special Google “doodles” marking special events and anniversaries. But Google has hidden Easter eggs in its various products and services from Android to Google Maps.
PCWorld recently posted the list of Top 15 Google Easter eggs of 2012. Enjoy!
If you use Google+ you are probably already aware of the new Communities function.
Many librarians were quick to utilize this new functionality to create social and professional groups. Already these Communities have formed and some are quickly growing quite large and active:
So if you haven’t tried Google+, Google+ Communities might be the best reason yet to give it a try.
Follow or friend your favorite electronic resource websites on three major social networking sites: Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. The database vendors often use these outlets to give updates, offer free access trials, and announce downtime.
Previously we posted a Google Easter egg which is uncovered when searching for “do a barrel roll“. Google coders have hidden other Easter eggs, as well.
In any current web browser on your computer or mobile smartphone, perform a web search for “askew” or “tilt” and see the slightly-off results page.
(If you like, you can let me Google that for you.)
Last year Google started an online periodical called Think Quarterly. Rather than looking back, Google will explore aspects of the Internet on future culture. From Think Quarterly‘s About page:
We don’t want to review what’s happened; we want to prepare you for what happens next. For each issue, we tap our homegrown visionaries, plus heads of industry, innovators and experts, to lend their insights and outlooks on the digital future. We hope it gives a view into what drives us as a company and inspires those of you who lead the way.
Previous issues have be titled “The Innovation Issue” (July 2011) and “The People Issue” (September 2011). The current issue is called “The Speed Issue”. All of this is great reading for the librarian who wants to understand the digital world in which we work.
One interesting article in the current issue looks at the speeding Internet time and its disruption of just about every sector of life. The author makes an analogy to “Gutenberg Time” when the new printed book disrupted the Church, increased information and the pace of the Reformation, allowed scientists to more easily build on the past work of others, and created new jobs and whole industries. Read more from the article Not So Fast.
Access the current issue Think Quarterly.
The Palo Alto Library will begin a service in January to lend Google Chromebooks, the basic notebook computer running Google’s Chrome OS software. The library purchased 21 computers which will be offered for a one-week checkout period. Besides the low price of the Chromebook, it uses no installed apps, but instead accesses many web-based services such as Gmail and Google Docs.
Read more in the Wired article Silicon Valley Library Lends Google Chromebooks.
Find out more about the Google Chromebook.
Google just released a newsreader app called Google Currents. Available for Android and Apple iOS phones and tablets, the app lets you read magazines, blogs, and news articles nicely formatted for your device. Watch the video to see how it works.
Google talks about the development of its search engine in a new video. From the Official Google Blog:
Our goal is to get you to the answer you’re looking for faster and faster, creating a nearly seamless connection between your questions and the information you seek. That means you don’t generally need to know about the latest search feature in order to take advantage of it—simply type into the box as usual and find the answers you’re looking for.
Today Google launched Google+ Pages for businesses and organizations and any other “non-humans”.
As of now, the Library Technology Launchpad has a Google+ page. The permanent link to the page is: https://plus.google.com/118152825617470552413.
Perfect timing for Aviation History Month, Google has an aviation-related Easter egg on its website. Using a current browser that supports HTML5 (Chrome or a recent version of Firefox works best), search Google for “do a barrel roll”. Hang on!
(If you like, you can let me Google that for you.)
