Week Two

In The Google Empire I use Maps most often. Well, I did until my computer died; now I have to find locations the old fashioned way and actually interact with a person who painstakingly gives me directions as if I'm twice my age. Or, gasp, a paper map. (I kinda like paper maps, maybe for the same reason I like paper dictionaries--the meandering, the getting lost while searching for something, the browsing effect). If I were a student I'd think Gbooks and Gscholar would be helpful, but don't know if Gscholar would actually be any better than Ebsco or other like database. Likely I'd use Gdocs if I didn't have access to MS Office. I had used the free and limited (less bloated) OpenOffice before The Great Google Empire expanded to what it is today. I've noticed several patrons using Gdocs for resumes, etc. I expect the Gpatents is helpful to those interested in such, being they have more immediate access to such information via Google.

Gsites is a good way to have a semi-professional looking presence on the internet, good to direct potential employers to and such.

I noticed Gunclesam is M.I.A. What happened there? Other than there was seemingly enough access (can I use access one more time?!) through .gov sites.

I think all Google options have the potential to be useful to patrons, especially those who need to get to their personal documents from a variety of places: from different libraries, from a friend's house, from school.

So, yes Google Empire is good for us all...until it turns into Skynet.

The thing is: I regret I don't have time to just explore the Googleverse. I learn by using, and working with patrons at the 6 desk has helped me become more familiar with the Googleverse. I know. I gotta take responsibility for my learning. What lifelong learning number is that one?