Planners have become that category of programs that have firmly entered the lives of people with busy schedules, and then significantly simplified their interface, “going down” to the mass consumer. Visible even ten years ago Microsoft alternatives Outlook was not found, but now there are analogues that may not be as functional, but are easier to use. Not long ago, these applications acquired a web interface (i.e., within a separate website), that is, they became accessible from any computer, provided that you have access to the Internet and know your account information. Their most prominent representative is Google Calendar, which has won millions of users.
There are many reasons for the program's success. First, Google Calendar supports many platforms. Regardless of what class of device you have - a smartphone, tablet or computer, and more recently, a smart watch - access to the planned events will be provided, you don’t even have to go to the official website for it. Besides, operating system also does not matter: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, as well as the desktop version and even the archaic one Windows Mobile. Add-ons for browsers are also available, but using them involves working with the software itself, and the functionality of Google Calendar is not designed to be a complete replacement, but to act as an appendage - the Internet is already at hand.
But there are a number of solutions that allow you to get the functionality of the Google Calendar application on your desktop, so as not to go to the site every time to perform simple action. Google itself did not bother to release such solutions, but enthusiasts coped with it, implementing everything in the form of a forgotten function that appeared back in Windows Vista– widgets. The solution from third-party developers, which is strange, has much more settings than a regular calendar in the OS, but resource consumption remains the same.
Installation and configuration
In order to take advantage of such a convenient solution, you need to visit the developer’s website and download archive file Google Calendar. Next, you need to unpack it by installing a file with the extension .gadget, which is in Windows system standard. There may be many files in the archive - we will be interested in exactly the one whose name contains the name of the Google company in English and the word “Calendar”.
You can only access your calendar settings through your account. If you don't have one, .
To begin with, in the settings we include our main scheduler in the list of those that can be edited and changed. Next, find the item “Private address” and select the one that has iCal. By copying it from the site using the Ctrl+C combination or the item context menu“Copy link”, we go to the gadget settings and paste our data into the text field at the top. There you can also set the update frequency (in minutes) and the theme: there is an opinion that it is worth trying to choose the most convenient skin for yourself so that it best matches the style of the Windows desktop. Additional external views for Google Calendar can be downloaded from the official website of the developer.
How to create a new event in the calendar?
On the Google Calendar widget itself, days will be displayed in the same font, but those that contain scheduled events will be highlighted or highlighted in a slightly bolder font. More detailed description The event will be accessible by a simple single click on the day - the name of the event, its start and end dates and the note left by the user (you) will be displayed there. You can also go to the site there, but to do this you need to use a third-party browser such as Mozilla or Chrome, setting them as default.
Creating a new event in Google Calendar is as easy as viewing the previous one - you just need to click on the date of interest and click on the add icon. All events are indicated and displayed on absolutely all devices that are synchronized with your account, and you should not expect any problems with display - everything goes to the server, website and is displayed in third-party clients for smartphones and PCs. You can also play with the settings of the widget shell itself: you can make the widget display everywhere, or under open active windows- only on the Windows desktop.
Conclusion
The Google calendar widget is an excellent example when the corporation itself did not bother to release the application on the desktop Windows table, and a third-party developer came to the rescue and managed to make a quality product. The desktop application is absolutely free, which is surprising: the archive contains about a hundred more widgets, for which the programmer does not necessarily ask for a penny - you can transfer a donation to him in gratitude for his work on the official website specified in the settings.
Greetings to all blog readers! We recently talked about how we use the application, today we will talk about another assistant - Google Calendar. This free tool from Google, which is designed to organize your work and personal life. You can add birthdays, holidays and other important events to Google Calendar. But we will look at the tool from a different perspective, namely, how to use it to plan business projects.
The article will be useful to project managers, company owners and just active people, because it answers the questions:
At the end of the article my personal plan working with the tool.
A little background. I have been working as a project manager at TEXTUM for 1.5 years now, I monitor the implementation of 15-20 tasks every day, and draw up a plan for all employees of the company. But my close acquaintance with Google calendar occurred only in 2018. Therefore, in the article: 100% up-to-date information; personal experience in project management; 24 thematic screens; valuable tips and interesting tricks.
What is Google Calendar for me? Imagine that you for a long time use simple push-button telephone with a little one black and white screen, where having an alarm clock is already a cool feature. And suddenly you have a modern flagship with a wide, colorful display and a sea of functions. Do you feel the difference? This way you can compare the tools I used and Google Calendar. If you want more information, read on.
Google calendar: how to register and use
We will not dwell on this issue for a long time, since everything here is very simple.
To start using Google Calendar, you need to follow 2 simple steps:
- Create a Google account or log in to an already registered one.
- Open Google Calendar.
Google calendar works online and is compatible with many popular browsers ( Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge). But in order for it to start working, you need to enable JavaScript and cookies.
It will be interesting to know:
Please note: you can create a Google calendar only on your computer (in mobile application there is no such possibility). Once done on the PC, it will instantly appear in the browser and application.
This is what an empty Google Calendar looks like on a computer:
- set the desired period (day, week, month, year);
- show/hide rejected events;
- show/hide weekends;
- We determine the color of the event and text, as well as the interface.
If you wish, you can provide feedback about the tool and go to the help center for more information. detailed information about the instrument. All settings are located in the control panel (located at the top, horizontally).
What interested me personally in the instrument? Working with Google calendar gives me the opportunity to organize and deliver all company projects on time, set reminders, and avoid awkward moments when you forget to congratulate a colleague on his birthday. Simply put, for a perfectionist like me, this program is a real godsend.
Exactly how I use the tool in my work is described below.
How to create a business project in Google Calendar?
Using Google Calendar, you can create a separate calendar for each project. To do this you need to create it and configure it.
Create a new calendar
Here's how it's done:
1. Go to settings.
3. Then fill in the title and description field (if necessary), select the time zone and click “Create”.
4. After this, the new calendar appears in the “My Calendars” section. Now you can install more for it detailed settings, set color, open access.
5. Let's move on to the settings. Google Calendar can be visible only to you or open to other users. At the same time, it is possible to open general access, enable access via a link or open only for specific persons (by adding the user’s e-mail).
7. The next step is setting up notifications. We set the time when you need to receive the notification: on the same day, 1.2 weeks in advance, etc. Notifications can be sent to your email or desktop ( Google stopped sending SMS alerts on June 27, 2015.).
8. I also advise you to set notifications for all changes related to the project. This way you will be aware if someone changes or cancels the event. A great option is “Agenda”. For those who activate it, every day at 05.00 am a list of tasks for the whole day will be sent to their email.
If the project is completed or cancelled, hide it from the list as in Fig. 1 (it is possible to open if necessary) or delete it as in Fig. 2 (without the right to restoration).
Figure 1
Figure 2
Adding tasks to the new Google calendar
Google Calendar for a business project has been created. What's next? We are drawing up a plan for its implementation. For example, in this project The task is to write, approve and post 28 articles on the website. Completion time: 5 working days. I need to evenly distribute activities to avoid overload of employees and deliver work on time.
To do this, I will add tasks for each day. The easiest way to do this is to set a calendar for the day.
What's the result? Every day at a certain time I will receive a notification about what needs to be done. All tasks are evenly distributed across working days. I will not miss a single assignment and will deliver the project on time.
Here's what it looks like on a monthly calendar:
If necessary, you can change all the task settings; to do this, you just need to click on it and press the pencil.
In addition, you can write a comment for each task, attach a link or document. For example, to write an article, a copywriter needs: technical specifications (attached as a file) and a folder where to submit the work (add a link). It is possible to configure access, i.e. The tasks for the project can be for everyone, or for you personally.
Important tip . To find all the activities that were carried out for a specific business project, just enter the hashtag + project name in the search bar (for example, #Project No. 1).
Article on the topic:
2 options for managing projects in Google Calendar
There are 2 simplest and most convenient ways to control the implementation of business projects through this tool:
- We enter the project. This method is shown above. That is, we receive a task, distribute it by day, add a description, set notifications, etc. One project - one calendar.
- Employee plan. You can create a Google calendar for each employee separately and assign him tasks for the day, week, month. This, in my opinion, is a more convenient option for performers. Since they don’t need to look for themselves in projects, they just need to open their calendar. At the same time, you can specify the deadline for completing each task by setting a reminder in the employee’s Google calendar
Both methods have the right to life. But the first one is more convenient for the project manager, and the second one is more convenient for employees. The ideal option is to maintain calendars for both projects and employees. Then the whole picture will be in full view.
Additional features of Google Calendar
This tool is simply a treasure trove of convenient and useful functions, for example:
- Export/import. By going to settings and clicking “Import and Export” you can add other calendars or download yours to your computer.
- Seal. Google Calendar has the ability to print events for the day, week, month, year, and daily schedule. To do this, click settings and print.
- Color marking. In his working Google Calendar I also made a calendar with my colleagues’ birthdays and set a reminder a week in advance so that we have time to choose a gift and come up with a congratulation. There are also other calendars related to company development, work optimization, training, etc. Each has an icon of a specific color. For example, projects are in red, birthdays are in blue, development plans are in green, training is in purple. The use of colored markers helps in 1 second to understand what “the coming day has in store for us.”
- Scheduling. Relatively new feature, which shows all tasks for several days in schedule format. You can view each calendar separately or all calendars together.
- Interesting Google calendars. There are already built-in calendars, to activate which you just need to check one box in the settings. Google offers 3 topics: holidays, sports, moon phases. Launch and stay updated on the events that interest you.
- Calendar integration. There are codes in the settings that allow you to: embed a calendar on a web page, open access from other applications, etc.
- Sync Gmail with Google Calendar. This service works only for generated letters from various organizations. The letter must contain information about: booking (air tickets, hotel rooms); making a reservation (for example, a table in a restaurant); tickets (to cinema and theater, to concerts). To activate this feature, you need to go to settings and check the box next to “Automatically add events from Gmail to my calendar.”
- Synchronizes Google calendar with Android and iOS devices. Cool gift from Google, which is downloaded in Google Play. In the application, all events entered into Google Calendar on a computer are immediately displayed on the device screen, i.e. full synchronization. Moreover, if you have not completed a task (not tied to a date), it is automatically transferred to the next day and so on until closing. And the most main feature– appeared voice search. For example, I say: “OK, Google, remind me to calculate my salary tomorrow.” The task immediately appears on the screen, I click the checkbox and it’s already in the calendar. Such an application is always available and at hand, which cannot be said about a computer or laptop.
The last thing worth noting is hotkeys. You can work with Google Calendar using only the keys on your keyboard. This greatly simplifies and speeds up the entire process. I'm speaking from personal experience, because I use this opportunity to the maximum. You can find out about hot keys in the settings, in the corresponding section.
It's also worth exploring:
Conclusion. Google calendar - convenient, simple, free planning business processes and personal events; reminder of events on a set day and time (on your desktop or by email); ability to export/import and print; synchronization with Gmail and Android/iOS devices.
Personal plan for working with Google calendar
- I enter a project: I write a description, choose a color, set a deadline.
- I distribute tasks by day (if the order is large and requires a lot of time).
- Every day at the end of the working day I write down tasks for each employee.
- I monitor progress throughout the day and make adjustments as necessary.
I also add ideas to Google Calendar regarding company development, personal and professional growth. I do this right away so as not to lose my thoughts (after a working day I use the mobile application).
As you can see, Google Calendar is an excellent planner, making project management easy, quick and enjoyable. How do you organize business processes? I would be grateful to everyone who shares their experience, gives practical advice or supplements this material. Thank you for your attention)
Greetings to all blog readers.
This article will talk about very useful internet a service that helps you plan time, activities and tasks for any time period.
I'll tell you how to use Google Calendar. Why am I doing this? Because it contains useful features, and one of them is very helpful in sticking to your daily plan.
Register with Google
So, those who have a Google Account can skip reading this section? And right away. For those who are just learning the Internet and don’t have email from Google, I’ll tell you how to get one and thereby get yourself an Account on Google.
Recruiting at address bar browser address http://google.ru You will see home page Google.
In the next window, enter all the required parameters into the input fields. It is advisable to immediately link your account to mobile phone, to do this, do not forget to indicate your number when registering
After entering all the necessary parameters, we agree to the registration conditions, click Next and you're done! You have Google account.
Login to Google Calendar
In order to enter the Google calendar, you should click the More button at the top of the page; if the Calendar is not there, then click the All services button. When you start using the service, the Calendar will move to horizontal menu like mine.
A page will open listing many services; we need a section for home and office, it contains the Calendar service. Let's click on it.
Setting parameters
When you first visit the Calendar service, you will see a window asking you to set up a calendar. Let's take advantage of this suggestion, set the time zone, and configure the types and times of notifications.
Let's get started
So, you've just set up your first Google calendar. Now let's learn how to work in it.
All tasks in the calendar consist of events. For any event, you can set a start time and end time, set up event repetitions, and configure notification types.
To create a new event, you can go in two ways: you can click on the “Create” button at the top of the page or simply randomly click in the task field and then drag the event to the desired location.
If you follow the first option, a full event editing window will open.
Here you can set the date and time of the event
Also set the recurrence period for periodic tasks
You can also create events by clicking anywhere. A small dialog box will open in which you can set the basic parameters of the event. After creation, it is possible to edit it in full.
You can set three types of notifications for each event, this is a reminder email, browser pop-up and SMS notification, the latter type of notification is very helpful in sticking to your daily, weekly or monthly plan (please note that this reminder method has been discontinued and is currently not working)
Create a new calendar
When using the service, you can create several calendars, for example, each for its own events, a birthday calendar, a sports calendar, a plan for completing a series of tasks, and so on.
To create a new calendar, click on the arrow with your calendars, a pop-up menu will open in which you will create a new calendar.
There were a lot of pictures, but nothing, the more visual, the clearer.
All the best, don't miss the next post!
Good day, dear friends! Today we will look at one of useful services from Google - Google calendar.
With its help, you can view all planned meetings and birthdays, set reminders in the form of an alert or a letter that will be sent to your email, synchronize between Google calendars on various devices or import/export events from other calendars, for example, Yandex calendar.
You can read more about this on the website by following the link.
How to login
Launch the browser on your computer or laptop. In the upper right corner we find the button “ Google Apps" and click on it to expand the list. From the list of applications, select Calendar.
Using a Google account or account, you will have access to all applications and can sync them between different devices.
To make it clear: if you install Google Mail on your phone and view messages there, delete them and send them. Then, by logging into Google Mail in the browser (under the same username and password), the data is synchronized, and you will not have to scroll through the letters that you previously viewed on your phone - they will either be deleted or marked as read (depending on what you're done with them on the phone).
Therefore, if you registered on Play Market, Google Mail, Google Drive or something else like that - this means that account in Google you already have it. Enter the appropriate email address in the field provided and click “Next”.
If you have not used Google applications before, you need to create an account.
In order not to constantly enter your email address and password, you can check the “Remain logged in” box. If you are not the only one who uses a computer or laptop, then it is better to uncheck this box. So that another person cannot use Google applications, for example, a calendar, on your behalf.
How to use
Appearance
After you log into Google Calendar, you will see the following picture.
In the middle is the calendar area where all events will be displayed. At the top you can select the period that will be displayed: Day, Week, Month, 4 days. To show all scheduled events in list form, click on the Schedule button.
On the left is a Mini-calendar in which you can quickly go to the date you need, also in different lists My calendars and Other calendars are displayed.
If you need to return to current date, click on the Today button.
Settings
To set up Google Calendar, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner and select “Settings” from the list.
On the “General” tab, all basic settings are set. For example, you can set the week to start on Monday and select a convenient time format.
After you make changes, do not forget to click on the “Save” button.
The Calendars tab allows you to manage existing calendars or create new ones.
How to add a new entry or reminder
To create a new event in Google Calendar, select a day and time period, then click the desired line on the calendar itself. In the pop-up window, click Edit Event.
Select a name, you can change the time period. If it is a Birthday, check the “Recurring event” box and select “Repeat - Every year” in the box.
Specify the meeting place and write a description. You can add guests, then this event will be displayed on their Google calendar. Don't forget to check the boxes to indicate what actions they can perform.
Choose a color for the event. This is a very convenient feature. For example, meetings with friends can be colored green, for work – red, birthdays can be celebrated in turquoise.
If desired, set up an Alert for the event. For example, so that you receive an email 30 minutes before the meeting.
If you want to remind yourself, select a day and time period on the calendar again. Then go to the “Reminder” tab, give it a name and click “Create”.
Edit or delete an event
Click on the desired event. A pop-up window will open, select the desired item in it.
You can also open the calendar in the Schedule view and click on the desired event.
How to install Google calendar on your Android phone or tablet
To install Google calendar on your Android device, go to the Play Market and write “google calendar” in the search bar, click on the item of the same name.
In the next list, click again on the calendar that interests us.
To start the installation, click on the “Install” button.
Launch installed application on your Android device and start using it.
The main application menu is located at the top left side in the form of three horizontal lines. There you can choose convenient way to display the calendar, enable or disable the display of events that belong to a specific calendar, go to settings.
That's all. I think you understand how to log into Google calendar in a browser on a computer, configure it for comfortable work, create an event or reminder, and install Google calendar on your Android phone or tablet.
Having once seemed inconvenient to me, he later became my faithful friend and assistant. In fact, it is an online diary with the ability to notify you of an upcoming event by email or pop-up window in your browser.
What does it all look like? Like a diary!
The diary interface is very simple. You can change the view by day, by week, by month. For example, the monthly format for issuing data is most convenient for me.
You can assign cyclic events. For example, enter the days when you need to collect money from clients or pay for hosting. Maintaining a Google calendar is actually a very simple and enjoyable activity. 🙂
Click on a cell and a form for adding another event will pop up. You can also indicate its cyclical nature. You can highlight different events in different colors, such as “good or bad”, and also maintain common calendars (for example, internal corporate calendars), invite friends to events, organize meetings, etc.
There is also a convenient built-in calendar search. It will help you find what you need among a bunch of added events.
Needless to say, this service, like many provided by Google, is completely free and available to you if you have a Google account? It is also available to you from anywhere in the world. You will be able to conduct business, plan and manage your time with maximum convenience and comfort.
How do I use Calendar? All payments for hosting, payments from clients and for clients are included here. This way nothing gets lost and is always at hand. Even if you forget to open your calendar, notifications about an upcoming event will be sent to your email at the appointed time. Well, if you forget to go to the post office...
And thanks to the top Google panel, it’s very convenient to switch between Calendar and Documents. Those who use both of these services will understand me.
