Ann Arbor Undressed : IGoogle, Do You?

Ann Arbor ="25 miles surrounded by reality".....and a blog about it. ActiveRain.com

IGoogle, Do You?

Do you use IGoogle?

I use IGoogle for my home page on Google and love it. Today on Twitter, I posted that I had just added Twitter to my IGoogle page.  IGoogle is a personal home page that you set up for your personal use.

Like all Google Apps it is FREE. 

The first step is to go to Gmail and get a free email account. If you don't want to use it for email that is OK, but it is the door into all the other free Google apps. For example: I use Missy@MissyCaulk.com for my email so all I do is forward all my emails from caulk.missy@gmail.com into my Outlook account which is Missy@MissyCaulk.com.  So I am only managing one email account.

After you get your GMail address,  you go to your setting page and add all the apps you want to that Google provides. This is where you set up your GoogleDocs. Google Calendar, Google Alerts etc....

This list on the left is how I have cutomized my IGoogle Home Page. There are literally hundreds of applications created for IGoogle, so personalize it and make it your own.

When I want to search on Google it is set up to go to my IGoogle Home Page.

 

Here is a screen shot of my home page on iGoogle. I used SnagIt to capture it. All the apps on my home page are on the left column as this snap shot is only part of my page. (The left column is a new feature).

You can see, I bring in Twitter, my Google Feedreader for all the blogs I subscribe to, all the AgentGenius posts, my to do list, Google Maps, Dictionary, YouTube, Digg, and even one of my RockYou Listings. My Google Calendar sync's with my Outlook Calendar, and Blackberry. It is all in front of me all day as I work.

Leave questions below in the comment section. Like all things Google offers this is is easy to set up.

 

IGoogle screen shot

Missy Caulk, Ann Arbor Realtor Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-926-9797 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

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Comments

Google is great.  Google is grand.  Google will help you to profit land. 

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland (Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate) about 3 years ago

What a neat idea... definitely something I may look more into... Thanks for sharing that with all of us! Happy Holidays!

Posted by James Engel KW Beverly Hills (Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills) about 3 years ago

Lenn is so funny! And very smart! So are you Missy ~ Thanks for spreading the word on Google!

Posted by Terrie Leighton REALTOR® 775-846-5424 Northern Nevada Real Estate (Ferrari-Lund Real Estate, Reno & Sparks) about 3 years ago

You've got me intrigue and I'm definitely going to give it a try.....Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Don't work too hard, just work profitably, We all have some much to be thankful for.

Posted by Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO ( - Keller Williams Real Estate -) about 3 years ago

You can also add analytics and webmaster tools to that page.

Posted by Shane O'Gorman Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell (Eau Claire Realty, Inc.) about 3 years ago

Thank you Missy, you are always on top of it! I just wanted to say that your daughter looks (from pics on FaceBook) just like you, beautiful and a "real" person that someone would love to meet and just have a great talk! Is she a Realtor now? Have a great week end!

Posted by Akron Ohio Homes for Sale David M. Childress (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services) about 3 years ago

Google just comes up with so many things. I recently figured out the themes for gmail and heard about google docs. I have to give it a try. ~Rita

Posted by Kenna Real Estate about 3 years ago

I love that, I will have to try it out.  I always use Yahoo.  I didn't know that Google had so many apps.  Thanks for sharing!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Tiffany Landis about 3 years ago

Missy, I guess I have to agree with Lenn's little poem. I LOVE all things Google. I have igoogle on my phone as well.  I've recently started using Google calendars for all of my listings. I set one up for every new listing and every time I do anything related to that property I enter it on the calendar. Each listing has it's own calendar and........I invite the sellers to share!!!! Auto updates to my sellers. How cool is that?

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!!

Posted by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc about 3 years ago

Missy,

I use a few of their apps but have only a few alerts because I get too many of them. I also have to start using the calender feature as Bryant does but beyond that....I've got too many other apps to keep up with.

Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ®CRS-Weston FL Real Estate (Keller Williams Properties, Weston FL) about 3 years ago

I love iGoogle, too. You can also set up the left column so that it toggles between different "home pages" - i.e., one for real estate, one for personal, one for blogs, etc.

Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) about 3 years ago

Missy, this is alot of good information to digest before Thanksgiving. I've bookmarked it and will come back to it when my head is a little straight. Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Loreena Yeo, Realtor®| Frisco TX Community Ambassador (214)783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Frisco TX Real Estate Co.) about 3 years ago

Missy,

igoogle is my homepage too and I love all things google. The calendar syncs great with the Blackberry which is totally cool, plus google docs & pages make creating and sharing stuff a snap.

Happy Turkey Day!

Posted by Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan (RE/MAX Gallery) about 3 years ago

Missy - I use IGoogle and love it..I have the little fox that does different things throughout the day.Very cute, but now, after seeing your Christmas one I'm going to have to check that one out!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Posted by Linda Scanlan (A Consumer's View) about 3 years ago

Missy - I love Google has but never knew about IGoogle.  Looks like you've given me a great project to work on over the upcoming holiday weekend.  Thanks!! 

P. S. I love BB's calendar idea too.  I just got a new listing today and am going to use the calendar feature as BB has suggested.

Posted by Donna Bigda REALTOR® Branford Connecticut Homes & Condos ( RE/MAX Alliance) about 3 years ago

I had used it in the past but went away because it too sooo long to open. I got a newer, faster computer and now it works much better. I also like all the new themes they have added.

Posted by Christopher Johnston (The Johnston Team) about 3 years ago

Missy, This is wonderful, I didn't know about it!  I didn't set up a Google email but thank you for sharing this, it's on my list of priorities (and you said it was easy :) 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Laura Cerrano and Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City/Feng Shui Manhattan ) about 3 years ago

Thanks for all your comments. I use Google Docs for each transaction as well. We set up a doc for each listing and each contract to sell. The individual buyer agent involved in the transaction can access the document as well as our assistant. What a great idea to have the sellers also access it. Thanks BB.

David, thanks she is a gem.

Shane, I didn't know that, thanks, care to share how?

 

 

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) about 3 years ago

Missy, I have a google account but have not used it as my home page.  I have used Yahoo but will look in to Google.  I have thought about using it but had Yahoo all set up.  Yet when I search I always use Google to search. 

Posted by Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro (Results Realty) about 3 years ago

Missy -  iGoogle is great. I also use gmail and google docs. I have my docs set up on my igoogle page so I can see when someone fills out one of my forms.   

Posted by Robert Schwabe - Orange Park Real Estate (Keller Williams- First Coast Realty) about 3 years ago

Missy - I do have the iGoogle home page but have not utilized it to the fullest so will have to take another look at it.  I am always discovering new things to utilize with Google.  Thanks for the reminder.  Happy Thanksgiving

Posted by Cathy Tishhouse Royal Oak Real Estate (RE/MAX Showcase Homes) about 3 years ago

I set up my google e-mail a while ago and added a few things I need to go back and look at it again.

Posted by Terry+Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate (Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner) about 3 years ago

Missy, great post...my intention is to tell you Happy Thanksgiving. I do hope you and your family will have a wonderful holiday. Take care and thank you for the IGoogle tips. Deb

Posted by Deb Brooks, Lake Conroe Real Estate, 936-661-2624 about 3 years ago

I too love my IGoogle page. It's actually amazing when you think about it. Really helps when trying to aggregate, which gets more challenging every day. Have a delicious, indulgent Thanksgiving.

Posted by Susie Blackmon~Ocala~Horses~Western Wear~Horse Farms~Marketing. about 3 years ago

Finding Google Alerts has enabled me to keep up with news on items of interest - specifically the area in which we live and work.  Our area is small so Alerts works well - not too much superfluous data.  I do need to look at the other applications.  Thanks!

Posted by Bruce & Mary Smith REALTORS® Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC (Savannah Lakes Homes) about 3 years ago

Missy - I've been using Igoogle for several months now.  One feature that i recently added is Googletalk. I have added the capability to my websites and blogs to chat. It's free as is most things google. So far, no real activity. But I haven't put it on my cell phone yet. That will be next.

Posted by Larry Brewer (Benchmark Realty LLc) about 3 years ago

Miss that is great I never knew it could do all that. Il ove how it has the task list on there I very much need that. I know what I am playing with today.

Posted by Heather the Realtor - Orlando, Lake Mary First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes (RE/MAX Central Realty) about 3 years ago

great - now I get to stti down with you over a cup of - your choice ( coffee?) and learn how to do this!  I will see you Dec 10th, shall I bring my computer to Igoogle together? info@KathyToth.com

Posted by Kathy Toth Ann Arbor Realtor Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor Market Center) about 3 years ago

Missy- I use igoogle and set up different igoogle pages for different applications. Like for our listing manager VA and our Short Sale VA- we have a separate igoogle page which we share with them and they are also colloborates on. We have all our listing files set up in google docs. It is awesome. Quick to email each other, you can see the notes in the docs in near real time and much more. We have different colored folders for who is assigned a file.

I did not know that you can sync with outlook. I am going to have to call you about that. I need to get Fox up there like you have too. Right now, it is defaulted with cnn which I do not want on there. I love the google reader for blogs. What a timesaver. I am using Twirl for Twitter, what are you using that can be put into igoogle?

Posted by Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Homes For Sale (International Properties and Investments, Inc.) about 3 years ago

Katerina, just go to all the apps available to put on your personal page, I put in twitter and found many. I think I just chose the main one because I like to look at faces when I am twittering.

Larry, I thought GoogleTalk was not ready yet, but in production. I need to check back. I typically use skype so I wonder if that is there, I'll look. If not I will download the google talk app.

Robert, thanks I will look into that.

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) about 3 years ago

iGoogle is my homepage...  I love the WikiHows...  I get to find out all sorts of cool but useless stuff.  I also have news and a few other things on there. 

Posted by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty) about 3 years ago

Hi Missy, I love IGoogle. I just went and added the betwittered app~ thanks, didn't know about that one. I did notice if IGoogle is too stuffed it will take forever to upload..I have had to remove some blogsites.

Will you do a post about forwarding Gmail to Outlook? You are so COOOL Missy! Enjoy the Holiday weekend~

hugs,

Ginger

Posted by Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~ Ginger Sala (Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC) about 3 years ago

Missy, I took your advice and changed from a yahoo home page it Igoogle and I LOVE IT!!  I don't have to click all over the place to get my headlines.  I had a bit of a problem getting drudge on as lots of those gadgets were for the drudge headlines but finally found a custom link bookmark that worked.  My husband even changed his; Thanks for the tip!!

By the way Happy Birthday in a few days!!

Posted by Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro (Results Realty) about 3 years ago

Missy, You are so "up" on all things technical. How do you do all of this AND have time to run a top notch team?  Whew...I'm tired just trying to figure it all out :) 

I'm off to figure out IGoogle..looks like I need it!  As always, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

Posted by Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL MLS - (Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group)) about 3 years ago

Hi Missy,

I don't use Google's free services, but I'm going to start.  Thanks for your great blog.  On a side note, I grew up in A2-graduated from Huron 77.  I love hearing stories about the area.  I stay tuned to your blog.  I go to all NAR events and would love to connect with you some day.  I'm currently in Tennessee.

Posted by Cindy Edwards CRS GRI PMN Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677 (RE/MAX Checkmate) about 3 years ago

Thanks for the detailed information.  I had never heard of IGoogle before... been pretty busy for about 13 months now.

Posted by Donna Harris, REALTOR® & ASP - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes (RE/MAX Austin Skyline) about 3 years ago

Boy do I feel old fashioned.  I didn't know of igoogle, but now I feel I must have, since it looks and sounds so cool.  Off to check it out!

Posted by Troy Erickson - Your Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek Realtor (Terra Solis Realty, LLC) about 3 years ago

How do you "bring in twitter"? I use IGoogle but have not set about customizing it yet. Time to play with it I guess.

Posted by Erica Ramus - Ramus Realty Group - Pottsville, PA about 3 years ago

Erica, just go to your IGoolge home page and in the right hand corner is ADD STUFF. I use BeTwittered.

 

http://www.google.com/ig/directory?url=hosting.gmodules.com%2Fig%2Fgadgets%2Ffile%2F106092714974714025177%2FTwitterGadget.xml

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) about 3 years ago

Thanks again Missy!

Posted by Cindy Edwards CRS GRI PMN Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677 (RE/MAX Checkmate) about 3 years ago

Thanks Missy! I love your posts on organizing and using Outlook, too. Have a great holiday.

Posted by Erica Ramus - Ramus Realty Group - Pottsville, PA about 3 years ago

Ok now this is really cool, Missy...I will have to check it out for sure.  I'm off now to look at your outlook posts, too:-)

Posted by Debra Kukulski-CDPE;GRI;ABR;RECS;e-PRO Real Estate Expert Northern Illinois (Re/Max Unlimited Northwest) about 3 years ago

Thanks for the adivce Missy. I added the twitter gadget and am now getting into this more!

Posted by Erica Ramus - Ramus Realty Group - Pottsville, PA about 3 years ago

I use google for everything!!

www.e-toursonline.com

 

Posted by Lance Ziegler (Real Estate Virtual Tours) about 3 years ago

Just found this - great idea. I'm setting up now. Thanks

Posted by Nancy Moeller (Seven Gables Real Estate) about 3 years ago

Missy~

iGoogle is an incredible service and it's free! I use Google for just about everything. Nice Post!

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Real Estate In Miami // Mott Kornicki // Associate | Broker

Posted by Aventura | Bal Harbour | Sunny Isles Beach | REALTOR® 786-229-7999 (SIB REALTY, Llc // WaterWayRealty.com) about 3 years ago

great tool, thanks for sharing!

Posted by Kristyn Grewell Edmond, OK Homes Oklahoma Relocation Services (CENTURY 21 Goodyear Green Edmond, OK) about 3 years ago

Really interesting information -- thanks for posting.  I'm gong to check into it.

Patty Pugh, CRS, Keller Williams Realty, Dover, DE

Posted by Mark & Patty Pugh (The Home Team Inc. - Keller Williams Realty Central Delaware) about 3 years ago

I am going to try this.  Thank you for sharing.

Posted by Malisa Spivey (Innovative Realty Group @ Key Real Estate Services) almost 3 years ago

How did you get Google calenday to sync with Outlook? I have been looking for an application that was free if possible.

Posted by Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 540-586-9496) almost 3 years ago

Once you are in Google it is under setting for Calendar. It does not sync with the data base that I know of but it will sync with calendar, and it will all sync with your blackberry.

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) almost 3 years ago

I use the google search engine every day, but now I'll have to look into this...thanks!

Posted by Cheryl Powell- SFR,ABR,Broker,Realtor- Remax Executive - Concord NC Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive - The Powell Team) almost 3 years ago

I have not used IGoogle, but is on the list and I will do this tomorrow. Thanks for information

Posted by Monique Hailer (CENTURY 21 New Millennium) almost 3 years ago

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