A Tour of Google Drive (Desktop Web Site)

Google Drive allows you to store and edit documents online and share files with others.  This article gives a basic overview of the desktop web version of Google Drive.

1. Go to drive.google.com and log in with your Google account.
   
   
   
   When you first visit Google Drive, you will likely see a blank list.
2. To create a new folder, click on Create.
   
   
   
   From the menu, select Folder.
   
   
   
   Enter a name for the folder, then click Create.
   
   
   
   The new folder will appear under My Drive in the left pane.
3. To upload an existing file, go to the folder where you wish to save the file.
   
   
   
   Click on the upload icon and select Files.
   
   
   
   Browse to and select the file you wish to upload, then click Open.
   
   
   
   After uploading, your file will appear in the list.  For this example, we uploaded a .ODT file.  In order to edit this type of file, you must first open it with Google Docs.
   
   
   
   Right-click on the file and from the Open With submenu, select Google Docs.
   
   
   
   The document will open in a new window.
   
   
   
   A second copy of the file will appear back on the file list.  The version without the .ODT file extension is the Google Docs version.
4. If someone has shared a file or folder with you, and you don't see it already in Google Drive . . .
   
   
   
   Click on Shared With Me in the left pane.
   
   
   
   A list of shared files or folders, if any, will appear on the right.  In this example, Grant Smith shared a folder named Test Folder.
   
   
   
   To make the shared material easier to find, both on the web site and on the mobile Google Drive app, check the box on the left of the item, then click Add to My Drive along the top.
   
   
   
   The item will now appear under My Drive in the left pane.
5. You can organize your documents and folders by moving them.
   
   
   
   Select the check box to the left of the item you wish to move, then click on the folder icon along the top.
   
   
   
   Select a folder, then click Move.  In this example, we will move the shared folder Test Folder to the folder New Folder.
   
   
   
   The reorganized folder structure is visible in the left pane, under My Drive.

Entering Events on lds.org Calendar

The calendar on lds.org provides wards a tool for sharing calendar information with members while also scheduling resources, such as rooms within a meetinghouse.  Members can view the calendar on lds.org or with the LDS Tools app (for iOS or Android).  With some extra configuration, the calendar can also be viewed in Google Calendar, Outlook, the Calendar app in iOS, or any other application that supports the iCalendar format.

Before the lds.org calendar can be of use to members, leaders need to ensure that their scheduled events are available on the calendar.  You might give your cub scouts a flyer on pack meeting, but those papers don't always make it into the hands of parents back home.  Entering the event in the online calendar gives parents and other leaders a place to refer to if any questions arise about what, when, where, who, and how to dress.


How to enter an event on the lds.org calendar:

1. Log into your lds.org account.
   
   
   
   From the drop-down menu, select Calendar.
2. The calendar will load.
   
   
   
   To create a new event, click on the plus sign in the top right.
3. The new event form will appear.
   
   
   
   
   1. In the Calendar drop-down, select the appropriate calendar for the event.
   2. In the Event box, enter a title for the event.
   3. In the Description box, enter details of the event.  Don't just say, "Pack Meeting."  Parents looking at the calendar may want to know what's happening at a youth activity so they convince their children to attend.  How should people dress?  Warm winter coats for winter caroling or Sunday dress for a devotional?  Where is the activity?  If it's at someone's home, include the address.  Who should attend?  At the Blue & Gold Banquet, are siblings invited or just scouts and their parents?  Be sure to mention any incentives, like refreshments.
4. In the Location drop-down, select the building where the event will take place.
   
   
   
   You can schedule the entire building, or select individual rooms.  Use the Setup and Cleanup drop-downs to reserve time before and after the official event start and end times.
   
   If the event does not take place in one of the buildings or rooms listed, select Other Location.
   
   
   
   In the Fill in the Location Below box, enter the location information.
5. When you try to save the event, you may see a warning about scheduling conflicts.
   
   
   
   To see details, click Show Conflicts.
   
   
   
   An expanded section will show the title of the conflicting appointment, resources scheduled, and contact information for the event editor and building scheduler.
   
   Sometimes the conflict may be for the very event you are trying to add to the calendar.
   
   
   
   A building scheduler may have reserved rooms for you by entering an event on a calendar you don't have permission to edit.  If this happens, return to the Location drop-down and select Other Location.  (Only do this for conflicts that aren't really conflicts.  If you have any concerns about whether you can use the building, contact the building scheduler.)
6. The lds.org calendar can create repeating events.
   
   
   
   Check the This Event Repeats box and the Repeats section will appear in the third column.  Individual events in a repeating series should be customized with specific information.  On the calendar, click on the event on the day you want to modify.
   
   
   
   From the pop-up, click Edit Event Details & Location.  An event edit form will appear.
   
   
   
   Add details in the Description box, then click Update Event.  Options for editing repeating events will appear.
   
   
   
   You can select to modify only this event, the entire series, or all following events.  Similar steps can be taken to delete an individual event, without affecting the rest of the series.
7. The lds.org calendar can send notifications to members who have provided their e-mail address.  Note that members can control what calendars they subscribe to and whether or not they receive the e-mail notifications.
   
   
   
   Check the Send An Email About This Event box.  If you select Later, you can specify the number of minutes, hours, or days before the event that the reminder should be sent.  Recipients will receive an e-mail similar to the following:
   
   

Google Voice App on iOS

The Google Voice app on iOS allows you to send and receive text messages from a non-phone device, such as an iPod touch or iPad.

You can also start a phone call using your Google Voice number.  The app does not have the ability to make voice calls on its own.  Instead, it calls one of your "forwarding" phones.  When you answer, it connects you to the person you are trying to reach.  The advantages to placing a call this way are that long distance calls (in the United States) will be free and the person answering your call will see your Google Voice number on their caller ID.

1. If you haven't already, create a Google Account and activate Google Voice.
2. Install the Google Voice app on your iOS device.
3. The first time you run the app, you will see a general welcome screen.
   
   
   
   Tap Sign In.
4. You will be prompted to sign into your Google Account.
   
   
   Enter the e-mail address and password for your Google account, then tap Sign In.
5. Your Google Voice inbox will appear.
   
   
   
   To send a text message, click Text in the upper right.
6. You can now compose a text message.
   
   
   
   
   1. In the To box, enter a phone number.  Or tap the plus sign and select a recipient from your Google contacts.
   2. In the lower box, enter your message.
   3. Tap Send.
7. You will return to your inbox.
   
   
   
   To place a phone call, tap on Dialer along the bottom.
8. A dial pad will appear.
   
   
   
   Enter a phone number and tap Call.
9. A list of your "forwarding" phones will appear.
   
   
   
   Tap on a phone number that you have access to at the moment.
10. The app will say that it's calling you.
    
    
    
    When your phone rings, answer the call.  On the phone's receiver, you should hear the system ringing you person you were trying to reach.  From here out, it will be like a normal phone call.

Adding Google Voice to Your Google Account

Google Voice provides you with a free, virtual phone number.  You can send and receive texts from voice.google.com or using the Google Voice app on iOS or Android.  Calls to your Google Voice number can be configured to ring your work number during the day, your home phone at night, and your mobile number at all times.  Using Talkatone, a free app for iOS and Android, you can place and receive voice calls using your Google Voice number on non-phone devices, such as an iPod touch or Android tablet.  Long distance calls placed through your Google Voice number are free within the United States.

1. Go to voice.google.com.
   
   
   
   Log in with your Google account.  (If you don't have one already, click Create An Account.)
2. The Getting Started screen will appear.
   
   
   
   Check the box to accept the terms and privacy policy, then click Proceed.
3. You can choose a new number for Google Voice (subject to availability) or port your mobile number.  For this example, we will choose a new number.  (If you port your mobile number, Google Voice would assume that phone number and your carrier would assign a new number to your mobile phone.)
   
   
   
   Click I Want a New Number.
4. Before you can choose your number, Google Voice will make you add a forwarding phone number.
   
   
   
   Enter the number for a phone you have available at the moment, select the appropriate phone type, then click Continue.
5. The Verifying Your Phone screen will appear.
   
   
   
   Click Call Me Now.
6. Google will call your phone.  After you answer, a recorded message will ask you to enter the two digit verification code shown on your screen.
   
   
   
   Enter the code on your phone's dial pad to complete the verification process.
7. You will now be allowed to search for a Google Voice number.
   
   
   
   To find a local number (not long distance from your home), enter your zip code, then click Search Numbers.  If Google Voice has no phone numbers for your zip code, try searching by area code.  At times, Google Voice may run out of phone numbers for an area.  Options include:
• Wait.  In a few weeks, Google may acquire new numbers or reclaim some that are unused.
• Select a phone number outside your area.  The drawback is that local callers will have to pay long distance rates.  If local numbers become available later, you can change by paying a $10 fee.
• If you frequently place or receive long-distance calls for relatives or acquaintances in a distance city, pick a Google Voice number in their area.  Using your Google Voice number, the calls would all be "local" for both you and them.
• Buy a cheap no-contract mobile phone, then return to step 3 and port your mobile number.  tracfone.com sometimes has deals on reconditioned phones with free airtime for as little as $20.  After porting your number, you can use the mobile phone until the service expires, then keep it for emergencies.  (Phones will no service can still call 911.)
8. Five numbers from your search will display, with options to search again or view the next page of results.
   
   
   
   Select a phone number and click Continue.  (Looks like I'm moving to Beaver, Utah!  They've got Google Voice numbers.)
9. You should see a Congratulations! message.
   
   
   
   Click Finish.
10. You will go to your Google Voice inbox.
    
    
    
    To send a text message, click Text.
11. A pop-up window will appear.
    
    
    
    
    1. In the To box, enter the phone number you want to send the text to.  If have phone numbers in your Google contacts, start typing a name and look for the person in the drop-down list. 
    2. In the Message box, enter your message.
    3. Click Send.
12. You still have some important items left to configure.
    
    
    
    In the top right corner of the web page, click on the gear icon.
    
    
    
    From the menu, select Settings.
13. The Phones tab of Settings will appear.
    
    
    
    Here you will find the phone numbers that Google Voice will forward your voice calls to.  To temporarily disable forwarding to a number, uncheck the box for that number.  To add additional numbers, click Add Another Phone at the bottom.  For more options, click the number's Edit button.
14. Some basic options for the forwarding number will appear.
    
    
    
    Click Show Advanced Settings.
    
    
    
    From here you can control when calls will be forwarded to the number.  Click Use Custom Schedule.
    
    
    
    Now you can set specific time ranges.
15. Along the top of the settings pane . . .
    
    
    
    Click on Voicemail & Text.
16. Various options will appear.
    
    
    
    From here you can record your name and voice mail greeting.  If you check the Transcribe Voicemails and Email the Message To boxes, Google Voice will turn your caller's message into text and send it to you by e-mail.  The transcriptions are usually quite good.