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Technical Support Resources

General Abstract: Technology is transforming society. The changes in technology affects the way individuals think, learn, and communicate with each other. In turn, those changes enhanced our modes of learning in a way that is now more interactive and collaborative. This new capability enables people to better incorporate new information with existing ideas in an unprecedented manner when compared to the old era of outdated technology. Therefore, the best way to move forward is to embrace this technology, but in order to do so, we must adapt to those changes by learning new tools and how to employ them in our routine operations.

Google Productivity Tools: With all the technological innovations, Google’s influences have become synonymous with the many novelties regarding technological explorations and exploitations. Google has fully embraced the use of artificial intelligence whenever feasible, digitizing huge bundles of information to make it easier to harness the data for numerous applications. Primarily known as a search engine, its popularity for this function is because it focuses on the searcher’s intent and their satisfaction. It stays dominant by constantly updating their search algorithms in processing and collecting relevant information.

The other area where Google has been predominant is in its function of data mining. We can contend that the more data is gathered about people, the easier it is for others to be influenced and manipulated. However, if we are cognizant abut safeguarding our own privacy, then data gathering is just a logical step in feeding the demands of artificial intelligence. Google’s data centers have become the depository of vast statistics used in creating new ways to use that information, becoming the foundation of what Google has innovated into today’s handy technological instruments. The resources below are the tools on how to operate in the Google environment.

One significant area where Google is gaining momentum, and may already be staying abreast, is via Google’s answer to Microsoft’s Office Suite of applications. Google has matched Microsoft’s applications almost one by one. A couple of examples are Microsoft Word to Google Docs and Microsoft Excel to Google Sheets. One advantage of the Google system is its equally formidable mobile Android operating system, making a tighter integration under the overall Google umbrella. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s smartphone operating system momentarily flourished but eventually succumbed to the competition. This is the reason why totally new users fully embrace Google instead of considering Microsoft services first.

The compiled set of tools is meant for users who may already be familiar with computer operations but may have little to no engagement with Google services. It can also apply to users who may have already been entrenched in Microsoft’s Office functions and are now migrating into the Google system. The tools are listed from relatively simple to those that need more user involvement. With each resource, a brief description of the tool and the target user is included.

Google Workspace: https://workspace.google.com/training/

1. How to create files and folders in Google drive: Description: Establishes a file system for documents and saved data. This information is intended for: New users in the Google environment. Article References: https://www.customguide.com/google-drive/how-to-create-a-folder-in-google-drive https://www.technobezz.com/how-to-create-folders-in-google-drive/

2. How to convert Office files to Google files: Description: Establish transferred files for Google or redundant files with Office This information is intended for: Microsoft Office users expanding into Google services. Article Reference: https://alicekeeler.com/2014/09/20/new-google-drive-always-convert-office-documents/

3. How to access Google drive through Gmail: Description: Use Gmail messaging to retrieve or edit saved files in Google Drive. This information is intended for: Google users expanding user data integration. Article Reference: https://www.solveyourtech.com/how-do-i-access-my-google-cloud/

4. How to Set Your Working Hours in Google Calendar: Description: Enables Google Calendar to be a fully integrated in task scheduling. This information is intended for: Proficient Google users Article References: https://wafflebytes.blogspot.com/2019/02/google-calendar-how-to-set-your-working.html https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-set-google-calendar-to-automatically-decline-meetings-outside-working-hours/ https://www.bettercloud.com/monitor/the-academy/connect-your-personal-and-work-calendars-in-google-calendar/

5. How to Create and Join Rooms in Google Chat: Description: Use Google as the primary messaging or teleconferencing tool. This information is intended for: Seasoned Goggle Service users. Article Reference: https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2020/11/02/create-and-join-rooms-in-google-chat/

Microsoft Office Productivity Tools: Microsoft has been a long-standing entity in computing. Although computers themselves predated the Microsoft Corporation, it is normally associated with modern computing. During its early stages, the company first utilized a disk operating (DOS) that is just text-based. Its popularity soared with the introduction of the Windows operating system and its graphical user interface. There were more noteworthy modernizations, both in the hardware and software divisions, but another innovation established during the late 80s that garnered widespread use is the company’s release of the first version of the Microsoft Office software.

Microsoft Office has had many adopters, finding it easier to use the applications from its beginning, through the numerous updated versions, and into the current iteration along with its online and mobile counterparts. It is generally accepted as the suite of services bundled into one application, serving to function as a comprehensive solution to all information processing. Although it is now facing stiff competition from a host of other software enterprises, it remains as the most used software in use today. The main standout competitor is from Google Services, followed by other companies producing virtually similar Office functions. Younger individuals may choose to begin their computing careers by employing Google’s functions. However, many legacy users usually began their professions catered by Windows services, and they may choose to stay with Windows or intentionally migrate to Google’s services.

The set of tools compiled below is intended for users who may already be accustomed to the general operation of computers. Although the stand-alone Microsoft Word application is considered a basic software, the instructions include saving documents, targeting those who are still uneasy with even the minor tasks. The rest of the resources set includes more complex applications within the Office Suite. The tools are listed from relatively simple to those that need more user involvement. With each resource, a brief description of the tool and the target user is included.

Microsoft Office Workspace: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office

1. How to save a Word document: Description: Save documents into the file system. This information is intended for: Novice Office users. Article Reference: https://www.digitalunite.com/node/6004/how-save-document

2. How to upload and sync files with OneDrive: Description: Save files in online cloud storage in addition to local storage. This information is intended for: New to intermediate users. Article Reference: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/onedrive/upload-sync-and-manage-files/1/

3. How to Create New Notebook in One Note: Description: Establish reference files which could be shared across devices or retrieved online. This information is intended for: New to intermediate users. Article References: https://www.teachucomp.com/create-a-new-notebook-in-onenote-instructions/ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-a-new-notebook-in-onenote https://www.customguide.com/onenote/onenote-create-new-notebook

4. How to Set Up an Out of Office Reply in the Outlook Desktop App: Description: Automatic notification message of absence or non-availability. This information is intended for: Intermediate to advanced users. Article Reference: https://www.hellotech.com/guide/for/how-to-set-up-out-of-office-in-outlook

5. How to recall and replace a message in Outlook: Description: Progressive manipulation of messages within the mailbox items. This information is intended for: Intermediate to advanced users. Article Reference: https://kb.nmsu.edu/page.php?id=72176 https://www.technipages.com/outlook-recall-email-message

6. Different ways to create a PST file in Outlook: Description: Establish additional or alternate mailbox database. This information is intended for: Proficient users. Article Reference: https://www.arysontechnologies.com/updates/how-to-create-new-pst-file-ms-outlook-2016/

Conclusion: The progress in the computing industry has created new conventions regarding the handling of data and information. While we must keep up with the new challenges, we should also be able to reap all the benefits that the changes brought along. As technology evolves, society needs to adjust to the new standards by adapting to the necessities of this progressive transformation. By establishing updated resources and using those tools, we will be able to exploit those developments and remain poised to tackle all the newer demands of future technologies.