Promoting "Shared with me" items in Google Drive to regular status

Okay, as an upfront disclaimer, I'm sure +François Beaufort, +Dinsan Francis, +GOS Blog or someone else I generally follow like stink on a monkey has pointed this out, before; I stumbled upon it for the first time, today.

If you're like me, you might have a spouse or someone else with whom you share a lot of files and or folders.  Today, I wanted to add a file I created on my wife's computer (a scanned pdf) to one of the Google Drive folders I shared with her from my account.  I failed to locate my shared folder, when I went to "organize" (or put a label) on the file . . .

"Where are those blasted 'Shared with me' items, anyway??!!"

Thankfully, with a little elbow grease and Google research, I figured out "Shared with me" items will remain in their lowly and unobtrusive nook, unless I promote them to my regular scenery, such as in "My Drive."

Select the files/folders you want to "promote" (my words) to your regular files/folders area and click "Add to My Drive"

Now, my "Shared with me" items can live with my [created by me] items, happily ever after.

Cue the non-bird-exploding-and-rice-replacing celebration substance!

Active Chrome Extensions with Keyboard Shortcuts

This tip is thanks to François Beaufort.

If you're like me, you love just about all things keyboard shortcut.  I present you with customizable Chrome extension shortcuts!

Go to chrome://extensions, and find the "Configure commands" link at the very bottom of the page.  (By the way, I think the shortcuts must start with Ctrl+ or Alt+.)

Behold:

Use your Chrome extensions with a keyboard shortcut of your choice.

I hope you enjoy it!

An Obvious (Once Learned) Gmail Secret: Quick Quotes

Have you ever wanted to (quickly) quote only a select portion of an email to include with a response in Gmail?

Well, simply select the desired text and then click "reply" or, if you have keyboard shortcuts enabled, press r.

Observe:

It is so choice.

Provecho!

Via Gizmodo.

Is public interest in Chromebooks taking off?

If standalone 2012 October and November Google search data for "Chromebook" are any indication, Chromebooks might be on their way up.

On the other hand, if comparisons with "macbook" and "windows 8" are any indication, they have a long way to go . . .

Cross-posted from my Google+ account.

Gmail/Drive/Google Search Field Test: JUST DO IT!

For all you CA readers who love Gmail and Google search, you will love, love, love the Gmail Search Field Trial.

Put simply, the forthcoming search change allows users to seamlessly search for contacts, specific emails, Google+ posts, and files from Drive, all in the beautiful blink of an eye, across Gmail and, at least, Google Search.

Seriously.  Go sign up for it.  Right now:  https://www.google.com/experimental/gmailfieldtrial  (You can thank me later.)

Gmail Update: Search Inside Attachments

Via Google Operating System

If you're like me, you love updates to Gmail and you love Gmail's search capability.

Well, thanks to Alex Chitu over at GOS, I learned Gmail's search powers have been given some awesome sauce:  As the title indicates, users can now search inside the text of their attachments.

Witness the two screenshots from Alex, below.  The selected email lacks a subject header and any body text, yet Gmail found the text from inside a .ppt file, using the search terms.

You can narrow your search down by using has:attachment and including the file type (pdf, doc, xls, etc.) with filename:[filetype].

Enjoy!  Thanks, Alex!!

A Majorily Minor Chrome Discovery: Use "Tab" to Navigate Chrome's Omnibox Results

For a long time, I whined and moped about how in Firefox, I could tab down from the address bar to various search results, while in Chrome I had to use the arrow keys to navigate between them.  I imagine most of you will now grasp the meaning behind this post's title.

Well, fellow keyboard shortcut geeks, rejoice because we can now use "Tab" to navigate omnibox results!

As Salieri would say, "Finally! Such an immense joy. Diletto straordinario!"

Yep, go ahead and give it a whirl.  You might think it would conflict with tab-to-search, yet they exist in perfect keyboard shortcut harmony.  Ah, the world is saved.  The galaxy is at peace.  Samus may now relax until the next Metroid installment.

By the way, if you seldom visit my Google+ lair, you might enjoy an earlier post about an extension for searching only your bookmarks.

The Chrome Wrench Icon Morphs Into Hot Dogs

For those of you (fellow) Chrome fanatics, I think you'll appreciate a brief dip back into Chromeland from me.

You may already be aware the Chrome team is considering (or planning?) to change the menu/wrench icon into a hot-dogs-looking graphic.  Observe the difference, from my Canary and stable builds:

Maybe hot dogs simply taste better than monkey wrenches.

Maybe the wrench would taste better with some Franch fries, dressing, bread, or perhaps, a bottle of Peru.

What do you think?  Would you rather look for/click on hot dogs or a wrench?  I can see the concern of how the lines would help people think of a menu, while the wrench would invite inappropriate thoughts of tinkering and settings.

ChromeStory reader Gil points out that in giving tech support to family members, referencing the wrench is real a time saver.  On the other hand, what about those poor type-writer users who think clicking on the wrench will, at a minimum, blow up the computer, if not all of humanity and they're too afraid to ask for help?

What say ye?  "Long Live the Wrench!" or "Vive La Différence!"?  Please sound off.

Chrome OS Keyboard Shortcut: Select Screen Shot Region

Okay, I'm about one year late to the party on this one, apparently, as noted by the date from François' post from last August.

In case you missed it, I hope you enjoy the shortcut, via François Beaufort:

"<Ctrl> + <Shift> + <Maximize> [the key to the left of the dim screen key] = Take a screenshot of the selected region."

Selected range screenshot of my Apps/place usually known as the desktop.

I'm all in favor of cutting out extra steps, and selecting a particular range of a screen shot was certainly one of them.  Provecho.

Chrome 20 Has Landed On Chrome OS Dev: What Happen'?

I have a lot of mixed feelings, here. On the whole, I think I'm disappointed with how the OS has changed: I feel like a lot of precedence has been given to making the system feel like a traditional OS, rather than to ease of use . . . It's almost as though Google got freaked out it was too forward thinking and had to take a few steps back to a desktop-like feel.

Before, I could easily see what time it was, what my battery/network were like, and even if I had caps lock on. Now, if I want to see those things, I have to dedicate a solid chunk of my screen or flip my mouse down, anytime I want to see them (thank goodness for extensions like Cool Clock).

Why move the apps section to a spot only on the launcher? I liked before, how it was right on my new tab page, ready to go. I feel like I'm taking a step back, having to go all the way down to the tile icon, rather than typing ctrl+t.

Is the reworked OS a step forward or, ironically, a step backward?

What's with the hold and drag down to minimize a window?? Is that the revolutionary anti-desktop thinking in this version?

What happened to the keyboard shortcuts to re-size windows?

WHAT HAPPENED TO PANELS??!!? Panels were one of my favorite parts of Chrome OS. I gather that whole concept's been jettisoned. WHY OH WHY?

This is a smattering of my initial reactions. Maybe things will change or maybe I'll get used to the newfangled-ness.

At the end of the day, I feel like I'm using a glorified Linux without the native applications. What gives, Google?

Am I simply having a knee jerk reaction, or has anyone else had similar reactions?

New, Online General Conference Music Player

Cross-posted from my Google+ account

lds.org has added a simple, dynamic, and awesome General Conference music player at http://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng

A user can listen to music from every General Conference session, dating back to October 2008, with more apparently on the way.

The player includes snappy features like click-to-play, group selection, randomization, and, perhaps my favorite, keyboard shortcuts (space bar for play/pause and arrow keys for skip).

Rejoice!

I'm also pleased to see there's easy access to downloads. On the other hand, I'm failing to see any bulk download options. If there are bulk download options already built-in, and I'm simply missing them, would someone please let me know?

Finally, organize files in Docs, while they're open

Cross-posted from my Google+ account:

Wahoo!

The moment we (i.e., I)'ve been waiting for.

How to Fix Your Cr-48's Dead Battery

I've been meaning to post this one for a while . . .  Sorry.

For a long time, my Cr-48 refused to carry a battery charge.  :(  Thankfully, however, my wife also had a Cr-48 and condescended to letting me use it (thanks, Honey, I love you!).

On the other hand, I did want a fix and, last month, I found one, thanks to Dinu and the chromebook ninjas:

1. Plug the power adapter into a live outlet.
2. In one second intervals, connect and disconnect the power adapter to the Chrome Notebook (1 seconds plugged in, 1 seconds unplugged, 1 seconds plugged in, etc).
3. Do this about 12 to 24 times.
4. An orange light should appear near where the power adapter connects to the notebook.
5. Once the orange light appears, allow the system to fully charge for 2 to 3 days.
(Note) You may be required to plug and unplug several times before the orange light will come on. 

. . . Also, Chromebook’s community manager +Melissa Daniels suggested the replacement power adapter that will work with your Cr48. Here is the amazon link.

Solution and image thanks to Chromestory.com

Well, folks, I tried this, and it worked!  Also, it worked much faster than charging for 2-3 days.  In fact, I believe it charged up fine, the first time around.

And there was much rejoicing.

NEWLY UNEARTHED (& UNDOCUMENTED) KEYBOARD SHORTCUT FOR HYPERLINKS IN GMAIL

Well keyboard shortcut lovers, I often grumbled to myself about why Gmail lacked a keyboard shortcut (unlike Docs) for creating a hyperlink.

GRUMBLE NO MORE!

Ctrl + k = create a hyperlink in Gmail

W00t.

As this lovely keyboard shortcut was new to me, I assumed it was part of the new look Gmail.  Take heart, ye traditionalists, ctrl + k works in the "old" Gmail, as well.

May all your hyperlinks be brighter and faster with ctrl + k.

\m/

Eating Crow and Liking (er, +1ing) the New Gmail

Gasp!  Yes, CA readers, it's true:  About last Friday or so, I decided I would take the new Gmail challenge and dive into the new interface.  In other words, I decided to use the new look for at least a day or two to decide whether I would really get used to it, as I had heard others report they did.

As a former critic of the new appearance, let me say I now strongly prefer it to the old look.  DOUBLE GASP!!  Ironically, one of my biggest hangups became, perhaps, my favorite feature:  The minimalism.

In the new-look Gmail, t's all about the emails, peepers.

That's right, kids, the new interface cuts straight to the email.  Some complain there's too much white space.  I'll tell you what, click on the big gear and select Compact -- that will display plenty of emails.  On the other hand, I really like the "Cozy" density and cringe to think of the stress on my eyes, reverting back to compact-style.

And, talking of white space, here's a further irony:  Getting rid of many "buttons and knobs" (thank you, Arthur Weasley), I feel more comfortable and focused on my email.

In short, when I went back to take a peek at the old Gmail, my eyes felt strained, and I felt stranded in a cluttered garage.

Yes, the old look's more traditional and has less "white space," yet, consider its comparative clutter.

Ahhh.  Now my eyes focus on the email (because, seriously, why would I want to focus on my chat search box, etc.?)

I'll be candid in saying I feel hesitant about the degree of transparency on some themes, like Turf.  Yet, maybe that's just me or, like my conversion experience, simply an initial, gut reaction.

I imagine some might like less turf behind their email.

At the end of the day, users still must opt-in to use the new-look Gmail, and this after about two or three months out of the gate . . .  I'm unsure what the hold up is.  On the other hand, I definitely suggest giving the new look a shot for a couple days and then comparing/contrasting.  I definitely think old habits can die hard, especially in Gmail land (see the comments and be warned of some potty mouths).  So, take a chance, and if you also decide to make the switch, I hope your diet will be crow free, unlike mine.  Provecho!

How to get the new Google bar (early)

Cross-posted from my Google+ account.

For everyone who shares my Google nerdery. (Note: Deleting my cache and cookies was insufficient for me; I had to enter the proffered code.)

The trick is to enter some code into your browser's JavaScript's console, as described on Google Operating System.

Thanks to Alex Chitu for the screenshot and instructions.

What are your initial reactions? I like the streamlining. The menu rollover's more time consuming for me than I hoped. I think I agree with many comments I've seen about Google bar's size . . . maybe it will go on a diet, soon. Finally, I assumed the top-right section of the bar would dangle more Google+ bait for the non-initiated:  Maybe Google's content with the Sign in button, coupled with +You being the first option on the new (and automatically displayed on google.com) rollover/drop-down menu.

I was expecting to see + baiting like, "Ready for some real sharing?  Try Google+!"  Maybe Google's trying a less-aggressive approach.  Maybe the aggression lies in a Google bar that's about three times bigger than the black bar.

For comparison:  The now-old black bar, before taking size-enlarging steroids.

SEO & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On a daily basis, I try to follow the Savior's admonition to, "Search the scriptures" (John 5:39).  Recently, I've coupled my study of the Book of Mormon with study of the New Testament.  In supplementing my reading, I often use study guides, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because they incorporate explanations and insights shared by modern prophets and apostles.

This morning, when I went to pull up the pdf URL of the New Testament manual I use, I accidentally ended up on google.com.  (Using Chrome, I can search Google straight from my address bar.)  Apparently, Chrome thought I had typed in New Testament as a Google search.  What was the second result for New Testament (coming only after the source of all knowledge, Wikipedia)?

Try Googling "New Testament" and see what you find.

Curious, I did a brief search on the subject of the LDS Church and SEO, and I found this article from Daily Mail in the UK.  It turns out there are a number of Google searches that will yield a page from the Church in the top ten results, including friend, ensign (which comes in at #1), new era, old testament, etc.

Maybe the F-Word can enlighten us with a conspiracy theory discussion, here.

In the view of many Latter-day Saints, including myself, this result will hardly be surprising, as we were commanded by the Savior to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matt. 28:19-20).

Using the Internet as a tool to spread the glorious message that the Jesus is the Christ, and that He has restored His Church on the earth, today, is a method frequently encouraged by the Master's prophets and apostles.  Messages from Elder M. Russell Ballard and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf are just two examples that come to mind.  Said President Uchtdorf, "My dear young friends, perhaps the Lord’s encouragement to 'open [your] mouths' (D&C 60:2) might today include 'use your hands' to blog and text message the gospel to all the world!"

Indeed, I firmly believe the principal reason the Lord has inspired men to create modern marvels such as the Internet and social media is to spread His message that His Church is on the earth, again, today, and "that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake"  (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, quoting a challenge from Ralph Waldo Emmerson to Harvard Divinity School students in 1838).

I add my witness, once again, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He has restored His Church to the earth, again, today, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  While some might call this declaration "bold" and feel disconcerted to hear it, many were also taken aback when the Savior, Himself, proclaimed His own divinity (see John 6:25-62, particularly 60-62).

Rather than take my word that these things are true, I invite you to visit mormon.org, search, ponder, and ask our Heavenly Father for yourself.  I promise you that if you will "ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [the Eternal Father] will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (see Moroni 10:3-5, which refers specifically to the Book of Mormon).

New Feature(s) Coming to Google Docs?

Okay, now that I'm fresh off some conspiracy theory reading from the F-Word, I want to do some hypothesizing of my own:  Something new might be coming to Google Docs, involving Google+.

How do I know, you ask?  Well, have a look.

Docs

Drawings

Spreadsheets

In Docs, Drawings, and Spreadsheets, the notification count and share button are each conspicuously absent.  I checked this across three machines (HP, iMac, and chromebook), three OSes (Windows 7, Snow Leopard, and Chrome OS), three Chrome versions (canary, mac dev, and cros dev), and three separate Google accounts.  All three show the same behavior in docs, at least -- I have yet to check the others on all three and will let any adventuresome reader take up the call.

Is this a bug or something bigger?  I hope the latter.

What do I prognosticate?  In the absence of a bug, I assume this will be something like Google Maps rolled out, where we click on the share button to share the doc, drawing, or spreadsheet we're currently working on with our friends/circles.

What do you think?  Bug, feature, or conspiracy theory?  (I'll leave the Illuminati out of this one; I've already got enough to worry about, now that I know the truth about DIA.)

(Very) Basic Image Editor Lands in Chrome OS 0.16.1122.0

Some of us wanted it (at least I did) and the Chrome OS team supplied it:  A basic image editor.  Sadly, for me, it's one feature short of the main feature I cared about:  Blur/smudge.  Ah, well, at least it has crop.

Really, though, is this some secret plot for me to keep using Picnik, even though I much prefer image editors like Awesome Screenshot or Aviary Image Editor?  Sigh.

Also new in this build:  The Wi-Fi icon now has lines on it to more clearly delineate current signal strength, I assume (I actually suggested this a while back and am less thrilled with it, in practice); the plus tab button is now an inchoate + button . . . once I hover my mouse over the empty diamond, the + comes to life!  I can appreciate the hip GUI-ness of it, and I can also see some folks (especially those over 50) scratching their heads about where the plus tab button is.

This is the extent of what I, and at least WReithmeyer, have noticed that I consider worth mentioning.

What hidden goodies have you guys noticed that you'd like to add to the pile of fun? 

Click the Gallery button and . . . 

Now we can auto-fix, crop, brighten, rotate, or undo to our heart's content (or upload to Picasa, via Share button).
Maybe blur/smudge will arrive by Christmas -- sorry, Winter Solstace.

P.S.  Gotta love getting the green, your-update-is-ready icon (especially for an OCD update freak, like myself).

Did the Chrome Team Ditch the Bookmarks Section and Bring Back the Bookmarks Bar?

Update:  I'm thinking this is a bug or Chrome OS specific, since my wife's Apple computer is running Chrome 16.0.891.1 and has the bookmarks section.

Is it just me, or has the Chrome team decided to shelve the whole bookmarks section of the new tab page?

As my daughter would say, "Wheeeeere'd ya go??"

From what I can tell, the bookmark section reverted back to the bookmarks bar, as seen, above.

Is this on all four platforms, or just Chrome OS 0.15.1011.43?

Do you think this change is permanent or temporary?

If intentional, why the change?