When Google lifted traditional office applications into its “cloud” of fast network connections, powerful servers, and seemingly limitless storage, it changed the way many of us create, organize, and share information. And, as Press Democrat reporter Nathan Halverson noted in a recent story, these free new computer applications help keep costs down.

“Unlike traditional software that is installed on your computer, these new programs run over the Internet,” Halverson wrote. “That means no installation discs, and no worrying if your computer has enough memory. If your computer can run a Web browser such as Internet Explorer, it can run these applications.”

And for those hoping to get the most out of Google Apps, German native Philipp Lenssen offers 9780596515881_cat.giftimely guidance. In his new book–“Google Apps Hacks”–Philipp explains that working in the cloud offers a whole lot more than simply the freedom from desktop software. With Google Apps, collaborating with others near and far becomes much easier and more fun. I talked to Philipp recently about his approach to writing “Google Apps Hacks.” (Read to the end of the interview for info about how to win Philipp’s new book!)
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SP: Why did you write “Google Apps Hacks?”

I have a great interest in Google’s approaches and tools. In 2003 I started covering them nearly daily for the weblog, Google Blogoscoped, which also kind of led to my writing the book, “55 Ways to Have Fun With Google.” When O’Reilly contacted me for a new book project covering the Google tools, I didn’t really have to think twice. It sounded like great fun–and a year afterwards I know it was indeed great fun.

SP: I understand you wrote your new book with Google Apps. How did that work?

This editor allows sharing, so when I finished a page in draft mode, I would invite Brian to the document. When Brian finished the changes, it was my turn again to use the Google document editor revision tool to highlight changes. All in all this process was great fun. We didn’t need to send around any attachments, and there were no questions like “Do you have the latest version of Word installed?” As long as the other party has a recent browser, like Firefox or Internet Explorer, the online “operating system” can start-up. (Find out more about the process here.)

SP: Why are Google Apps getting so much attention now?

It’s a rather different concept working up there in the so-called “computing cloud” than down here with our traditional, desktop-based apps. As Google’s application suite grows, it can become confusing to find out which tool to pick for which task. We all know Google search, and we all may know one or two Google applications beside that (like Gmail, for instance). But not as many of us have started using their many other online applications, like Google documents, Google Spreadsheets, Calendar, Reader, Picasa photo albums, and so on. My book introduces each of these tools and then shares tips and tricks for using them in advanced ways. It also shares hacks on how to workaround common problem still found in this rather young “online
office.”

SP: What will readers gain from reading your new book?

For those not already familiar with Google’s many apps, my book will serve as an introduction to bring you up to speed on how to use these tools; you will then be able to do your word processing, your image and video sharing, emailing and so on using browser-based programs. This will get rid of a lot of hassles of the “desktop” world, like installation and maintenance.

And for those people already familiar with Google’s apps, there will be many advanced tips that can be applied in everyday work. From programming tips to Greasemonkey scripts, from stylesheet hacking to interconnecting the different Google apps, from creating back-ups to pulling external website data into Spreadsheets, and much more. And in each chapter, we also have a Beyond Google section for those interested in other, related, but non-Google tools out on the market.

SP: What’s on the horizon?

I think it’s fascinating that only two decades ago, it simply wasn’t possible for anyone to quickly share thoughts, opinions, pictures, videos and so on with the whole world, but that today it’s all very easy, and free. Google is not the only player on this scene but they’re certainly one of the biggest. I’m really curious what this faster exchange of ideas will lead to in the next decades.

I’m giving away a free copy of Philipp Lenssen’s “Google Apps Hacks.” All you have to do is post your favorite Google Apps hack, tip, and/or workaround here by April 28. I will fairly yet arbitrarily select the winner!

Update! The contest is extended until May 7.