Plan your vacation on Google Maps

Google maps is not just for finding directions, but one can also plan a vacation. One of my favorite destinations is St. George, Utah. It has beautiful scenery, adventurous hiking trails, and yummy frozen custard. I made a custom map on Google Maps. Just click on the red "Create a New Map" button and begin by adding layers, creating driving directions, and points of interest. If you're not sure if you want to go there, Google has images to help you decide. Check out my map below. Also, if you don't want to use your data for map searches, this video shows you how to download maps for offline use.

Android Central "How to download Google Maps data for offline use" Online video clip. YouTube 6 Jul 2011. Web 16 Feb 2016. 

What's for dinner?

Google Images

Planning a party? Wondering about food choices? Or perhaps, you want to arrange meals for an ill neighbor. Google Docs and Forms can help. Yes, Google can help you improve communications. Last week, I received an email with a link to a Google Spreadsheet. My friend and neighbor, Julie, is battling cancer, and her sister set up a spreadsheet for neighbors, friends, and family to sign-up for meals and times to take care of Julie. I thought Julie's sister a genius. We all know who is helping when, and what was brought for dinner the night before, and therefore, Julie's family won't be eating lasagna two nights in a row.

So, if you are in need of helping a neighbor, planning a party, or just want to send out a survey, it can easily be done. Google Forms allows one to seek answers from anyone who will fill out your survey. Are you curious about what pizza toppings people like? I was too. I sent a from with questions about food choices to my classmates, and ten responded. It was then possible to put these answers in a Google spreadsheet and create the following charts. After putting the information in a spreadsheet, highlight the information you would like in a chart, and then go to Insert and then Chart. Columns, pies, and lines are just some of the choices to create a chart. I picked a pie - you know, pizza pie. It just seemed fitting. You can also customize the font, colors, and headings.

And to add a chart to a blog, under File, click Save as a Web Page. Then just copy the embed code and place it under a new posting in the HTML tab.

Give it a try. It just might improve your communications. Once you get all of that down, you might just try some of these tricks from Lifehack.

A template, a resume, and quite possibly, a job

Need a job? Google Drive can help. Well, they don't guarantee employment, but if you're in need of a resume, they can help. Google Drive offers a variety of templates. Just follow the format and you'll know what to include. If you are still unsure, BYU offers a variety of sample resumes. But, be careful, one typo could cost you a job. Need a laugh? This site offers some funny resume mistakes.

Pretty smart for no smart phone . . .

Look! I just created a QR reader. 

(in 6 easy steps)

1. Decide what website you want to create a QR for.

2. Copy that site into goo.gl

3. Copy the shortened address

4. Open a new window and paste the address and add .qr and enter

5. You can change the resolution by changing the resolution numbers in the address 

        (find the 150x150 and change it to 300x300 or even 500x500)

6. Save image to your computer

QR codes are not just for marketing. 

They can be used in the home.

Scan this

or click here for 8 creative ideas.

The Cloud

Google Images

Clouds. Well, ask me the difference between a stratus cloud and a cirrus cloud, and I can give you an answer. (Stratus clouds are low-lying grayish clouds, and cirrus clouds are high and wispy looking). But Google Drive and Microsoft One Drive, not so much. Yes, Dropbox has been downloaded on my computer for some time, and I know how to put a document in it. Go me! Honestly, when it comes to "the cloud," I feel a little like the executive in this YouTube video.

The Onion. "HP Offers 'That Cloud Thing Everyone Is Talking About.'" Online video clip. YouTube. 29 July 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2016.

I have been paying for Carbonite - a little over $3 per month - to back up my computer, but perhaps that is no longer necessary. If I no longer use Carbonite, what are my options? PC Mag offers these suggestions, and Cloud News Daily lists the Top 20 cloud providers. Top 20? Now, that can make it confusing.

Doing a little googling, one can compare the free services of cloud providers. Here is a little info about some of my cloud options:

Name of Service	Free Storage Capacity	Upgrade price for more storage
Google Drive	7 GB	100GB for $1.99/month, 1TB for $9.99/month
Microsoft One Drive	5 GB	100GB for $1.99/month, 200GB for $3.99/month, 1TB for $6.99/month
Dropbox.com	2 GB	$9.99/1000 GB
Hightail (formerlyYousendit.com)	5 spaces	$15.00/month
Box	10GB	100GB/$10.00month