“Turn Gmail into Your Personal Nerve Center” is recommended to google fansJ

http://www.micropersuasion.com/2007/02/transform_gmail.html

After I read that article, I reviewed my past experience as a google user.

1. google search

Nowadays I use “google ” as a verb instead of “search”. The advantages of google search are obvious.

2. google map

As a foreigner, this tool is very useful. The distinguished feature is that you can share the map with your friends in different places and in different time zones. Just copy and paste the URL.

Google earth is not as convenient as google map, but much coooooler.

3. language tools

Dictionaries, Instant-Dict, iciba, Babylon are out. The first two tools are restricted since the word library can not be updated easily. Iciba and Babylon usually are Chinese-English translators. Although Babylon supports English-Germany, English-Spanish and others, you have to download and setup these packages. And those packages are not free.

4. gmail

10 GB, as the writer said, you can use gmail as your database. I backup my files which are generated under linux in gmail. Then I can view them when I log in windows. And the emails are categorized as conversations.

5. google bookmarking

I have more than 100 bookmarks, sometimes 200 ones when I was making a traveling plan. Those bookmarks can be found by online bookmarking through google account. Just use google toolbar to export your bookmarks.html. Actually I did not use google bookmarking since I have another online bookmarking. I will introduce that later.

6. google reader

As I mentioned, many bookmarks need to be viewed every day. It is inconvenient to open and close windows or tabs again and again. Most webs support RSS, it is advisable to read RRS feed in google reader. These days I am trying to be used to it.

7. google talk

It becomes necessary because of the popularity of gmail. Btw, if you want to use IM clint to log in google talk account, choose jabber protocol.

8. google groups

I use it as an alumni. Classmates of my high school are all in one group. The news and messages can be easily delivered to every one. And it also supports forum for discussion in the group.

There are many other applications of google. I recommend http://labs.google.com/intl/zh-CN/ . You could find many interesting things there.