Do you ever:

1) wish you had access to your network drive from home?
2) need to collaborate with classmates or colleagues on a document?
3) get tired of converting from one word processing format to another?
4) have multiple versions of documents saved to flash drives, home computers, network drives, etc.?

If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, then you may benefit from Google’s latest product launch.  In mid-October, Google announced the publicly available beta version of Docs and Spreadsheets.  It’s a free, web-based word processing and spreadsheet program that allows you to create (or import) files in a number of formats (Word, Excel, PDF, Rich Text format, HTML, and various others).  With all the basic functionality of most word processing and spreadsheet programs, Docs and Spreadsheets  allows you to save your work in your own Google account.  You can also grant document access to other Google account holders, so that you can work collaboratively, even in real time.

To take a tour of Docs and Spreadsheets, click here.  [Please note, however, Holland College Computer Services does not provide end user support for this application, and is not responsible for documents you may save to your Google account.]

A recent study from Baylor University found that, in top-performing athletes,  humility (and not arrogance) was actually a “character strength with possible benefits”.  What do you think?  And how do you measure humility, anyway?  Read the study to find out!

Want to avoid Norwalk and all of those other nasty little viruses that circulate in public areas?  One of the simplest ways to prevent disease is,  just like your mother always told you, to wash your hands.  Thoroughly (repeat the alphabet or sing “Happy Birthday” — twice — while washing).  Frequently. Repeatedly.  And if you need some help on hand-washing protocol, you can check these tips from the Canadian Health Network.

The Chinook Health Centre in Alberta has also posted some info on Norwalk and how to avoid it.

 Stay healthy!

There are plenty of ways to keep current in your profession — reading journals, attending conferences, participating in associations, and monitoring blogs or listservs, to name but a few.  How do YOU keep current?  Send a reply to this blog entry or post us an e-mail.  We’ll feature your responses in