Google Tools: Helpful or Confusing?
Tool #1: Google Data GIF Maker
The first tool I used was the Google Data GIF Maker. This tool has a lot of steps, so bare with me. I had to choose my data points, using Google Trends, I used Soccer and American football for my data points. Then I chose a time range and region to compare. After choosing data points I visited datagifmaker.withgoogle.com and started creating my gifs. To start creating gifs, I entered my data points, the numbers representing the data, and text giving a brief explanation at the bottom. Then, I chose if the terms are going to be shown as numbers or percentages by clicking either “+” or “%”. But for the percentages, I simply entered the values and the tool calculated the % ratio. Then, I chose colors by clicking on the colored dots. I selected “preview GIF” to view gifs and then, the tool opened a new browser window, showing at the most, five gifs created. Finally, I clicked “create GIF”. The high-resolution download of the GIFs took a few minutes, but this provides better quality for sharing it. Once it is done downloading I clicked the download now option.
This last screenshot is the results of the Google GIF Maker tool. I’m not quite sure if I did it right or it just doesn’t work. I have come to the conclusion that it’s confusing and not helpful.
Tool #2: Google Trends
The second tool I used was Google Trends, but the training lesson that I viewed dealt with visualizations usage and guidelines. I clicked Embed, located in the top right corner of the data visualization. On the lower left, a pop-up window appeared where I could copy and paste the HTML code into a web page, if I wanted to. Next, to separate the data from the chart, I downloaded its CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. On the results page, I clicked Download in the upper right of each chart. Once it downloaded, I could open the file and build custom charts using a spreadsheet application.
I found this tool very interesting and helpful. I would actually consider using this in the future.
Tool #3: Google Translate
The third tool I used was Google Translate but the training lesson that I viewed dealt with Translation on-the-go. Google Translate is an app that can be downloaded onto phones. Set the language that you want to translate and the language that you want it translated to. Then tap the camera icon. Point the camera at the words that are going to be translated. In a very short time, Word Lens will translate the words that are in front of the camera.If the text isn’t recognizable by Word Lens, you can use the scan function.
Tool #4: Google Maps
The last tool I used was Google Maps but the training lesson that I viewed dealt with Google Street View. Go to google.com/maps and search for the most detailed location you can think of. To go between map and satellite views, click Satellite in the lower left corner. Satellite view could help spot distinctive landscape features. However, in other cases, it might make wide roads, patches of trees, public plazas, mountains, stand out. Use + and — for zooming in and out of a certain area. If Google Maps is on a desktop or laptop, click the yellow Pegman in the lower right corner. This shows blue lines on the map to show areas where Google Street View is available. The blue dots represent something called photo spheres. Don’t forget to look for clues like landmarks near or around the designated location. To save clues, click “save” in the left hand bar. This location will now be marked with a yellow star and will stay this way until you un-save it. The Pegman can also be moved from street to street.
I found this tool very helpful because it will be used in the future to find a location. In all honesty, I thought that none of these tools I chose, I would ever actually enjoy using. This was an interesting experiment I would say. What would you do with these tools?
