Practice №3 The study of cloud services Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a time-management web application and mobile app created by Google. It became available on April 13, 2006, and exited the beta stage in July 2009. Users are required to have a Google Account in order to use the app. An example of the Google Calendar window is shown in Figure 3.1. The Calendar Index, located on the left sidebar, always displays the primary calendar first. The "Tasks" window and user-created calendars are listed alphabetically below the primary calendar.

Figure 3.1 – Google Calendar

3.1 Interface

The interface of Google Calendar, designed by Kevin Fox is similar to desktop calendar applications such as Microsoft Outlook or iCal on Mac OS X. The Ajax-driven interface enables users to set the number of days to show in their custom view mode. Stored online; consequently, the calendar can be viewed from any location that has Internet access. For users who might experience a hard drive failure, it also means that no data is lost. The application can import Microsoft Outlook calendar files (.vcs) and Comma-separated values (.csv), as well as Webcal links. Users can modify, add, and drag-and-drop events from one date to another without reloading the page. It supports view modes such as weekly, monthly, and agenda. Users can "quick add" calendar events by typing standard English phrases, such as "Dinner with Michael 7 p.m. tomorrow". Users can also set the number of days to show in their custom view mode.

Your calendar contains your commitments. Each event represents a commitment to do a specific task, at a specific time – often in a specific place. Manage your calendar effectively, and you'll become known for keeping your commitments.

A business meeting on a calendar represents a commitment of two or more people to discuss, decide, then act. At effective organizations, people focus on substantial issues for discussion, decision, and action during meetings. A meeting on your calendar should represent a commitment to engage fully in the exercise.

3.2 Create an event

...With your voice

You can create a Google Calendar event by speaking. In Google's search app or the Chrome browser on any platform, tap (or click) the microphone icon, then say:

"Create a meeting Thursday at 2 pm with Sarah."

Variations of the phrase may also work: "Create a calendar event," "Schedule a meeting," etc.

A draft of the calendar item will appear at the top of your search results. Select Create event – or, in some cases, Create in Calendar. Then edit the event details, if needed. (Learn more about other Voice Action commands.)

...From an email

You may also create a new calendar event from Gmail in your browser. This is especially handy when the email contains event details. While viewing the email, select the More drop-down menu, and then choose Create event (Figure 3.2).

A new calendar event will open. The event name is drawn from the email's subject, and the event description is filled with the email's content.

Figure 3.2 – Create an event with your voice

  

Create new Google Calendar events with your voice or from Gmail.