Google Apps

Gogle has a service that they call Google Apps.  For the most part I like this service.  There are a couple of problems that I have run into.  These are related and simple to fix which makes them all the more annoying.  The problem has to do with Google maps.  You see to have “my maps” in the Google maps area you have to have a Google account.  The Google Apps account will not work for this.

I know, you’re thinking “Big Deal a Gmail account is free”.  Maybe you are right, but they ironically reference a type of club that would love for its members to have maps.

Also, a business with more than one location might want to provide a map to those locations.  It’s just possible that they might not want to have to recreate that map when the employee with the gmail account leaves.  The other problem is that the Local Business Center also has to be tied to a gmail account. 

I know that there is a work-around, but I hate having to use work-arounds especially when the fix should be easy.  The Google Apps accounts are for all intents and purposes gmail accounts with different branding.  It should be real simple for Google to enable all the functionality that the regular gmail accounts have.  Google, if you need help with the code to do this just send me the part that is giving you trouble, and I’ll fix it for you.

The work around for these problems is to create a gmail account for the company or club involved.  Then share the password with the key people who will be using it.  Then you will need to change the password when people leave.  This is not ideal because these people might figure out that they are about to leave and change the password ahead of time.  I haven’t seen this problem happen in the past, but it’s something to keep in mind. 

As I said above I like the service in general.  It’s not a total replacement to Microsoft Office, but the price is right.  Even if you go to the premium service the license is a lot simpler to understand than the Microsoft model which seems to be designed to confuse you.  I would recommend this and Open Office to any small business or club before they sink a lot of money into Microsoft products.