In the past, I have always texted about spreadsheets, and databases, and other programs, doing my best to point out that not everyone will enjoy just one type of program. And there are so many different companies, such as Microsoft, Sun Systems, IBM, Intuit, etc., that each user has to favor what works for them, or what is available for them to use. Depending on the basic formats, like saving in Comma or Tab separated format, the main data can be interchanchagable, where in the results, one company has settled on how to manipulate your data that may be all a user needs.

For me, I grew into Microsoft from the start, while still researching for a records keeping programs, I also experimented with Star Office 5.2, and after focusing on one source, I never attempted other programs. But even though I had to decide on one consistent supplier, I never wanted to express experiencing other similar programs. Then, for awhile, especially when PDA were more portable, I would become acclimated with Palm (first), and through time to now, all Apps used through Android OS. Learning how to take the data from one App or Program, to use on another became easier…compared to rewriting all the data to a second record. I love exploring the many programs to see which will be easiest to record data, based on whatever activity I am in.

I think it has come time to start focusing on certain Services that make sharing information with other users and programs time saving…and so, for the first time, I share something more than building spreadsheets and databases. We all have kept appointments, birthdates, and contact information on our phone, Androids, Laptops, PDA and Blackberries, and our desktops, laptops, and netbooks. It has become so easy to share information with anyone, regretfully, some others who don’t setup security also make it easier to share with other intruders with their own personal reasons…for personal gains. Still, the world are starting to be aware of the problem. In short, we are slowly learning to only share and record the basic minimum information, and over the next decade, the world will learn not to share everything they think, or feel, rather express and text (and record) in a more generalized way. Too many people also wait to “pounce” on other peoples opinions, specifically on the many forms of the social network.

I still praise the sole and initial object of the internet, which started as a way of sharing information, Data, and making resources for informational and educational needs, and all at the users fingertips. But the whole world cannot be held accountable, or express responsibility, and the whole web experience will eventually have and create more and more limitations; or have fees and registries for data that remains accessible. In the future , both business and personal, people will start creating Records keeping, literature, and discretionary feelings on computers and devices that will never link to the internet. Transferring any information will be either through memory (disk) swapping of shared final results, thoughts, and feelings, or create a gated Intranet server network that also only transfers the final results of data, thoughts and literature. It is like the internet had their own period of time of “Expressional Revolution”, and now has to come back to a common source that is regulated by the user that involves discretion, responsibility, and purpose.

For now, and with what is online, you still have much controls and restrictions online, like only sharing to a specific person or group, just remembering to keep it purposeful, keeping any vulnerabilities in mind. It will take time to retract all personal information, such as those Birthdays for example, from the internet, and place them on a calendar separate from being internet and hacking accessible.

NOTE TO SELF – Make internet change a separate blog. Get to how all facets of Google has been used, first over the road, and up to current times with my Girlfriend.

Staying in touch, by more than just a phone call

When my girlfriend and I moved in together, I was still Professionally driving “over the road”. I wanted her to know where I was, whenever she felt the need. Google Maps became to key App for specifically sharing my location, since she also had a Google account (many service providers have sharing with others, provided they use the same service provider). I was using my most dependable Internet service connection through Verizon Wireless, and was able to have a MiFi on all the time…of course I also paid for a 40GB service, but it was worth knowing that Verizon Wireless was connected wherever I went 98% of the time.

Google Maps gave her the best up to date information of where I was, and she always knew where I was going. We did this willingly. For me, I once belonged to a fb wall that asked other drivers to keep an eye out for other missing drivers that the families lost touch with. Sadly, many found were dead in their Sleeper Berths. There were other more serious and criminal times, but by sharing with my significant other, she would always know how I was doing.

I started sharing my destinations and expected times of arrival on Google Calendar, again, shared specifically with her. She knew where I was by Google Maps, and was able to add my destination to calculate how long it may take. She spent the time understanding the driver hour rules, knowing my sleep habits, and how long I typically drive. If I stayed at a new location too long, she would text me to see if I was broke down or feeling alright. The tools gave her a greater piece of mind, and it was fun sharing my day to day activities with her. After all, a happy girl is a happy world. It really softened the time away from her (I was out three to four weeks at a time). Equally, she began sharing her appointments and plans while I was away, giving me the opportunity to wish her well, and ask how her activities went the day after. We truly were sharing each others days, even when we were hundreds of miles apart.

We also explored using other services, such as Messenger, to enjoy video conversations, having coffees in the mornings, and it became a dependent routine for the both of us. Much to be said about face to face conversations, even when hundreds of miles apart. I also had Skype, but she didn’t. Skype was for my business anyway, meaning I could keep separate my Business from my personal life. In some locations, Messenger had issues, but it was sometimes dismissed by the long conversations on cheaper model cellphones, where the processor was getting too hot. It was still the daily routine throughout the two years over the road.

Being the computer geek and social extravert, I was linked to other social networks, primarily for the reason that family and friends were on various social networks, using different services, and only later did almost all found their way to Facebook. So, I shared pictures and stories with all on this platform, and kept my personal affairs on Google. I entertained myself experiencing Twitter, and even showed interest in many news and political topics, but my agenda was just for her…on Google. We definitely had an active life, shared many thoughts, pictures and dreams, and all remain separate from our family and friends.

Appointments and Records Keeping Simplified

Recently, and for personal reasons, I changed rolls to a weekly position, making Tri-State deliveries, and my day end at home. Now, instead of cross country deliveries, I have multiple stops, within a 150 mile radius of the warehouse. In the past, I used a database for Over The Road and owner Operator roles. I still wish to get back to using Microsoft Access and build own for this role too. But, I needed a way to record my stops as I learned them, and data recording on the fly was not an option. Even in the beginning, I started out using Microsoft Exel. But, I was single then, and wandering around the country gave me time to focus on such work and activities. Google Calendar became the main record for the daily stops, their addresses, Phone Numbers, contact person, and key remarks and notes about each delivery location. I started depending on the search tool to recall the last times I was going to a familiar delivery. It took a little time to recognize the importance of detailing the stops, as I go. And, since it was the same Shared Calendar, my girlfriend now knew where I was going. Upon delivery, I updated the stops time I arrived, the mileage on the odometer, and the time I left. She found it easy to know where I last delivered…by that recorded mileage. And, she could still track me on the Google Maps App on her Android phone.

Learning as you go also means finding use for each feature of an App you are experimenting with. On the Google Calendar, I standardized the color features to represent equipment, work activity, and personal schedules. Even proposed or tentative appointments became color coded. Since the Google map was being shared, it also was tracking how long I was driving and how long I was parked, and at the location, with the option to edit the location. I also learned that, since I also have any photos taken on my Android phone being uploaded to the Google photo Server, any pictures taken at that destination would also show in the Google Maps timeline. This is a plus when it comes to tracking activities, and recalling events to remember. Some deliveries have a separate delivery location, and those are written in the description section. The search feature allows you to recall a name or part of the name of a location, company, contact, etc., and it will show results, that you can back track as far back as you need.

Sharing is Caring

Google offers more than just these two App programs, but this Blog was not to cover all aspects of what the Provider supplies, instead, it was about sharing information, especially with a significant partner or a group of people; all must have an account with Google to get the most of the features. I would also like to mention, she shares her calendar of events with me, so I can see what has transpired since the last time I was on the Calendar. Mentioning Messenger, and the service Provider, was only to suggest that each person needs to shop around to find what works for them, and what they can afford. Anything that will help anyone is is away for whatever reason, keeping in touch with those closest to you helps fill in the gap of missed occasions, and daily happenings. I hope this article sparks other Over The Road Drivers, salespersons, executives and frequent fliers. Google allows you to share, and by creating a second Google Calendar, you can keep other appointments private and secure. Google also offers Tasks too. In short, you are in charge of what you share, and what you keep confidential. When it comes to your partner, any effort to communicate and keep track of daily routines goes a long way in their eyes, and in return, there is a comfort on your part too.