What is Google Pack?

Occasionally I run into people who are new to computers and are overwhelmed where to start, what is safe, who to trust,  or ________ (insert your own concern).


One site I recommend for them to visit is the Google Pack site. Which is then followed by, "What is Google Pack?" and for those who are on the site while we are talking, "Why is this free?" or "Why didn't someone tell me about this before?"


As displayed in the image, Google Pack is: 
Software selected by Google
Always free
Ready to use in just a few clicks!


Google Pack for Mac and Google Pack for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Learn more about the software selected in Google Pack. The site lists the software selected by Google with two bullet statements that provides a description. You can select Learn More About Google Pack Software and access the source where one can gather more information  about each product. The site changes to keep up with current needs, when Google Pack first launched Google Chrome didn't exist. You can select one or all of the following options for installation:  Google Chrome Web Browser, Google Apps, Google Earth, Google Toolbar for IE, Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, avast! Free Antivirus, Immunet Protect Antivirus, Google Desktop, Google Picasa, Adobe Reader, Firefox with Google Toolbar, Google Talk, Skype, RealPlayer, WebM for IE9.


Previous versions of Google Pack included: Ad-Aware, GalleryPlayer, Norton Antivirus Special Edition 2005, which included a 6-month subscription, Norton Security Scan, StarOffice, a productivity suite that includes a word processor and spreadsheet, Trillian, Spyware Doctor Starter Edition.
Google Pack is also available through the Google Products page in the Home and Office Category.
Once Google Updater is installed, you can view the current status, view installed software, set the status for updates, and set your preferences. You can remove or customize Google Updater.

Scroll to the bottom of the site and you will find links for the International versions of Google Pack available in: Български - čeština - dansk - Deutsch - Ελληνικά - English - English (UK) - Español - suomi - Français - Hrvatski - Magyar - Italiano - 日本語 - 한국어 - Nederlands - Norsk - polski - Português (Brasil) - Română - русский - Slovenčina - svenska - ไทย - Türkçe - 简体中文 - 繁体中文
Google Pack via Wikipedia

So whether you like to tinker, help others, or need a quick fix for an older device there is something for everyone in the Google Pack. Have you or do you use Google Pack? 

Comments, recommendations,  +1 and reaction box selections are always welcome.

Have you checked out the new items in the Google Store?

I have been a Google girl/Google jockey/Google user for at least a decade and I still share this link with people who have never visited the Google Store. My mother often jokes that if the Google store sold underwear/panties/drawers she would buy them for me every Christmas.

So when people ask where did you get that shirt, gadget, sticker, mouse pad or whatever item of interest...I share the link or just tell them to Google the Google Store. You will be prompted to select your location for a shipping location: US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. It is OK to check on another area to see what is available even if you don't live there and practice your currency conversion too!

The Google Store has something for everyone, from stickers, bibs, things to wear, to collectibles to a section for YouTube gear. Select a category: Apps, Accessories, Fun, Kids, Office, Wearables, or Doodles, search the site, or review top sellers, what's new, eco-friendly, or specials, shop by size, color, or select sort options.

Eco Friendly References

Of course, all of the no cost Google digital products and Google Labs are always cool to share tinkering time with someone.

Remember...just because you know about it, tinkered with it, or visited the site...many of your friends, peers, coworkers, supervisors, administrators have never gone beyond the search screen of Google unless it was to click on the Google Doodle. Encourage others to tinker and explore, regardless of the device they use to access the Net.

*This blog post was created for those who are interested in visiting the Google Store. I am a user of Google products, not an employee. No discount, gifts, freeware, or special privileges were offered in the creation or deployment of this post.

 

Google Inside Search

Another cool Google site to tinker with: Google Inside Search using the Chrome Extension Blog This 
Google Inside Search Google deals with more than 1 billion queries a day from all around the world returning results on an average of 0.25 seconds.

Google Under the Hood - Experiments Lab, Life of a Query, Instant Search, Search Globe.

Dive into Search and learn more about what happens behind the scenes of Google Search. Play with our Experiments Lab and get a better look at the technology behind Google.

Chrome Extension Blog This

Critical Thinking and Decision Making...still required skillsets

Regardless of your role in life, student, parent (first and lifelong teacher), educator, technology integrationist, or whatever your job title...you will be impacted by social media, technology, and sometimes you may find yourself in the crossroads when you reflect on your own critical thinking and decision making processes. You can reflect upon those decisions when you read the old standby of Dr. Suess's, Oh the Places You'll Go (1990).

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.
You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Our ability to make decisions and think critically are still core competencies that require us to learn and apply life lessons throughout our lives. Learning to adapt, implement, and overcome is just another aspect in our personal duties and responsibilities in our own lives.

Memorial Day

Don't forget to take a moment to remember those the U.S. men and women who died during military service by observing a minute of silence at 3:00 PM, local time. If you are driving, turn on your lights.

IdeaPaint finally makes a debut in the SW Augusta Lowe's

About 45 days ago I was at  my local Lowe's and inquired at the paint department and customer service about the location of IdeaPaint. I was shown chalkboard paint and said no, IdeaPaint it is like a whiteboard paint so I can write on the walls with dry erase markers. The paint department sent me across the aisle to customer service.  At customer service, she called the paint department and asked if she knew anything about the paint I was looking for, of course the same response. She asked where did I learn about this paint, and my response was through the net, particularly from my Twitter network. 

You can order IdeaPaint from the IdeaPaint website or from Lowe's. My preference was to purchase it at the store or special order it and pick it up at the store and receive the 10% military discount offered by Lowe's. 

Last weekend, as I walked in the front main aisle, I saw this display at the edge of the paint department. While I was happy Lowe's now carries IdeaPaint in the store, I thought how much cooler would it be if the area above this display had an operational piece with IdeaPaint so people could write on it with a dry erase marker and experience the product.

IdeaPaint display at SW Augusta Lowe's

I appreciate Lowe's bringing IdeaPaint to the physical storefront. If you do purchase the IdeaPaint, there is a list of items you want to purchase in addition to the IdeaPaint:  Glidden Gripper or Killz Primer, a separate roller for the primer, and typical paint prep accessories such as tape, 120 grit sand paper,  rags for clean up, and you need to let IdeaPaint cure for 7 days. Plan on vacating the room and set up for ventilation as the odor is quite different than standard paint.