Page 54 - DCAP609_CLOUD_COMPUTING

Unit 4: Cloud Computing for the Family

4.3 Collaborating on Grocery Lists Notes

Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data
storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while
collaborating in real-time with others. With Google Docs several people in different locations
can work simultaneously on the same document, from any computer having an internet access.
Google docs is very useful as it makes day to day functioning convenient. With this Web-based
word processing program families can manage their grocery lists. To start using a program like
Google Docs all you need to do is to create a document, and then authorize access for you and
your other family members you want should put their inputs in this document. Enter the items
you need onto the list, one line at a time, and tell your other family members to do the same.
You can also prepare grocery lists using Google docs. This saves you and other members in your
family the effort of preparing grocery lists on paper and updating them from time to time.
It also encourages communication between family members. All the members authorized to
use the list can add things they need from the grocery store. It additionally keeps members
informed about the needs and demands of the other family members which need to be fulfilled.

Example: Your aunt needs a soap, she can simply add this product to the grocery list.
Your son needs a chocolate and he can update this on the list.

Keep the list going for the week or so to allow your family members to add items to the list as
per needed. At the end of the week, when you are ready to go to the supermarket, connect to the
Internet, access the grocery list on Google docs and print out a copy of your grocery list at your
home or office printer. This enables you to conveniently look through the list and purchase the
items according to the list.

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4.4 Collaborating on To-Do Lists

A grocery list is just one type of to-do list. With a lot of household chores and repairs to do, it is
evident that to do list for your household will be much longer.

Web-based word processing applications can be used by you and your family to collaborate on
your to-do list. You can also use dedicated web-based planning programs to do so.
Applications, such as Zoho Planner can be used as such applications let you create multiple
to-do lists on the Web. A Zoho Planner is an online planner with a calendar, to-do lists, pages,
and email reminders for collaboration with other users. You can set email reminders to remind
you when a task is due. You can strike off the task once it is done. This component competes with
Microsoft Outlook, and more closely with Google Calendar. It is, however, being criticized as
unlike Google Calendar and 30 Boxes, Zoho Planner is currently unable provide SMS reminders.
You can also use simpler Web-based to-do list applications like Remember the Milk and Ta-da
List if the above mentioned applications are a bit too advanced for you. Remember the Milk (RTM)
is an application service provider for Web-based task and time-management. It allows users to
manage tasks from a computer or smartphone, both online and offline. It is like a simple
notepad that helps you remember your tasks.

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