Creating a professional signature block with Google docs

Creating a simple yet professional signature block for Gmail can be done and it's doesn't have to be text only.  But how do you create a modern HTML like signature block without knowing coding?  Google Docs of course! Here's some simple tricks so you can make one yourself.

Generally to make a multimedia signature block you would need to know a bit of HTML/CSS or find a program or service that made the creation easy to do, but you have the tools at your finger tips.... for free!

Google docs is an effective application because it can be used on anything as it's a web app and has the familiar user interface of a "word processor" so the learning curve of another app or service is eliminated.

The secret with Google docs is using a table to align all your elements like you would with HTML. Then style with the text formatting tools like you would CSS.  And don't forget this can be done in Microsoft Word but I'm tailoring this to Google Apps users.

The hardest part is getting the sizing and position right, if your like me you want it perfect!  Quick tip: if you find the positioning of things too spread out then reduce the padding in the table properties (remember it's in inches.... C'mon Google bring in the metric system!) and drag your cells in closer.

Also if you need multiple cells the same size then you can set a hard width and height in the table properties too but remember this is a cell by cell property so copy and paste your values.

I have created a guide over at the Shoosh Monkey wiki to show you how and shared the template I used to create my own signature block for you use as a guide or just copy mine!

Automating Outlook

Microsoft Outlook as a great array of automation features out of the box, but for those that need a little extra or like to "tinker" then there is always the "roll your own" method..... using custom scripts.

Yes I know, I do prefer Google Apps products but there is no denying the power of Outlook and many people still use this client as the front end of their Gmail accounts.  

I have used Outlook for many years as my primary front end to email until about 4 years ago when I went completely online.  So I know the product fairly well and have always used it's better known features like Rules and dabbled in its lesser known features such as VBA script.  I will be aggregating the automation goodies I find on the web and some that I used at home and work when I used to use Outlook.

Auto copy Outlook attachments to a folder

Google Docs vs Microsoft Word - it's not as hard as you think to change over

Editing a document with Google Docs is different but it's not hard.  With unmatched features like always online, accessible from any device and super easy collaboration then its Google Docs that gets my vote.

Most of the controls and formatting options are the same as other word processors albeit a little lighter in choice. The level of functionality and visual appeal most people are accustomed to with MS Word is achievable if you can lend a little extra time to figuring it out.

I'll be highlighting some of the differences between the two of the major players (Google Docs and MS Word) and demonstrating just how to achieve a visually appealing document in Google Docs that is comparable to its competitors.

First up (just because some people have been struggling with it) is the difference between editing, commenting and viewing a document in Google Docs.  It might sound like it's pretty self explanatory but when you are used to the Microsoft way it can be a little strange at first, a new tool and a new way of doing things sometimes puts people off learning.  

But once you see how easy it really is then you'll wonder how you ever used anything else.

Editing and using Suggestions (Track Changes) in Google Docs