My experience working with Google Docs

I guess you might be wondering what Google Docs is and why is it used for; I will only explain my personal experience using this service but I do not want to go on about the programme as such, since Gisel Cracco (a classmate) wrote a very appealing article about it and I highly recommend you to read it if you would like to learn about it thoroughly. Here's the link to her post, where you will find valuable information about it along with her own experience that may help you decide whether to try it out or not.  So, this post will be limited to my experience as a user.

This year was the very first time I came into contact with this marvelous service when we had to do a practical work for this subject (ECOII). My group and I could not see eye to eye to arrange a date to team up and start working, plus, the only moment we could all be “present” at the same time was late at night so we were in the middle of a pickle! How on earth could we be all together late at night!? Unless we did a pyjama party… but that was not the point at all. We figured it was high time to change the group dynamics and look for a quick and effective solution: Google Docs was the answer to our prayers.

It is a fact that whenever we are trying something completely new we get this oppressive feeling in the chest and doubts assault you in no time. Luckily, our work developed smoothly without any inconvenience and with the tranquility that we were working separately but strongly connected. Since this programme allows you to create documents which can be edited, shared, and opened by different members of the group at the same time, you can see what the other person is actually doing to the file and all the changes done are saved every time you modify something, that is while you are typing. You can also program it to delimit the access to it and none of the adjustments made to the documents are lost, you can browse through it and you will find past editions.

The only pitfall would be that you need internet connection to use it, but it is a minor defect compared to the immense benefits it comprises. I have no further complaints about this programme, it helps you save a lot of time and the whole getting-together issue is resolved. Besides, you feel freer to write without having to discuss every single sentence and in case you want to have a say in what your partner did, it has a chat where you can talk things over and put things into discussion. In case you need to download the document you have different formats available, making it even easier for you to take it with you. In addition to this, it is “dummy-proof” very easy to use, create and addictive too.

For me it’s an ideal way to work in groups, especially when you have tight schedules and you cannot agree on a day to meet. It saves time, you do not lose information, and you can set the boundaries as regards privacy.