Google are, probably, the number one provider of free apps, software and online tools. Now they are not doing this for their health. Buy in to the Google brand and you support their advertising based income model. Nothing wrong with the idea, it works and provides some excellent solutions. Just wanted to remind everyone that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
What are the main options Google provide?
Google Chrome.
Excellent quick loading internet browsing and Google chrome installation is quick and simple. Plenty of opportunities to tweak basic browser settings, security and privacy settings, plus a wide range of extensions. Not satisfied with the basic options? You can head on over to Chrome Web Store for even more extensions, themes and apps. My favorite feature is the ability to sync bookmarks between different computers. With two desktops, a notebook and regular user of library computers all over the place this is a gem. Combine it wit iGoogle and my mobile/flexible office is up and running.
One word of warning. Do not ditch Internet Explorer just yet. As a travel agent some booking engines just refuse to work on Chrome and the providers don’t seem interested in doing anything about it just yet.