Google Maps

If you are ever in need of directions and you have a smartphone you can download Google Maps and it will give you directions. It also tells you how long it'll take to get there. You can also view the Satellite view where it shows you how the world really looks. 

 

Google Doodles

Another fun thing Google offers is called Google Doodle. On the Google website Google will change it's logo to represent a holiday or special event. It is a fun thing to check everyday to see if there is a special event you didn't know about. Here are examples of some cool ones I found:

This one is a doodle they used on Valentine's Day.

As a joke, Topeka, KS changed it's name to Google. So, on April Fool's Day Google changed their name to Topeka.

Here is one I found on New Year's Eve.

Google also offers a program called Doodle 4 Google which lets kids K-12 enter in a Doodle and if they win, they will let their Doodle be displayed on Google.

Here is the one that the kid one in 2012.

Google Drive

Have you ever wanted to do a project with someone, but one of you has Pages and the other has Word? Well we have found something for you! Google Drive (previously known as Google Docs) lets you create a document, presentations, form, or drawing. You can also collaborate with someone by sending them a link to your document. You can make it so they can edit it, or just view it. 

 

Google Drive on the iPad

There are actually very many similarities between Google Drive on the iPad and on the desktop. The only major difference is on the iPad you cannot make a sideshow, or a drawing document. Otherwise, you can still share and edit your documents with other people. I strongly recommend Google Drive on the iPad.

Animated Text Generators

FlashVortex is a website where you can generate animated text. You can make a banner, a button, and a clock. There are a lot of fun texts and animations you can add. Here is my example of animated text.


GlowText is also another animated text generator. In this website you can only create a banne, but it also has a lot of fun, glittery texts you can use. This is a banner I made in this website.

Google Tricks

Google is not only a great search engine but also has some cool hidden tricks.One of the tricks is called the "barrel roll." If you type in "Do a barrel roll" into the Google search bar the page does exactly what it says. It spins the page. Another on is called Rainbow Google. It makes all the letters colorful, but it is no affiliated with Google.

The next one is called tilt. It slightly tilts your page to the side. It's pretty pointless, but it's cool and unusual and something fun to do when your bored.

Add-Ons

A cool thing about Firefox is that it offers many "add-ons" to make your time on the internet easier and more enjoyable. An add-on is a tool that you can add to your web browser, such as the Persona Plus, which is added to the top toolbar and makes it easier to change your persona by not having to go to the website.

The first add-on I discovered was called Text Font & Size Changer. It changes the font, size, and color of the font on the Firefox web browser.

 

The second one I added was Tile Tabs. It opens up all your tabs into one page.

 

The third one I added was Simple Timer. It counts how long you are on the internet. If you have a big family and have a special time you are each on the computer you could use this add on to tell how long you've been using it. 

The next one is called Pocket. Once you sign up it'll add any web page for you to Read Later. All you have to do is click the Read Later button and you can save it for later.

The next one is AniWeather. It provides weather information for your town in the top right corner of the browser. 

 

 The Symbaloo bookmarker lets you add a website to your Symbaloo webmix. It is a very easy way of adding a bookmark to your Symbaloo without going to the website. 

The next one I downloaded was the Gmail Notifier. It notifies you when you have an email.

The next one is called SimilarWeb shows you similar websites to the one you are currently browsing. This addon could be very helpful if you are doing research for a paper.

The next one is called Dictionary Tooltip. It allows you to click on a word and it gives you the definition.

ReminderFox lets you put in reminders that you need and it will remind you when the time comes.