Weekly Tech Tips and News for August 4, 2017

Find out the best way to view the upcoming eclipse.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

This week's post brings us several Google updates that are very useful. The App Launcher (waffle), file sharing and Forms got some handy new features. With the end of summer coming up, before you take your next road trip find out how to avoid toll roads or highways when navigating with Google Maps. There are also some general computer tips that will be helpful for everyone. Last, but not least, with the upcoming eclipse on August 21, there is also a post on how to observe the eclipse safely with a homemade device, as well as a link to find out when the best viewing time is wherever you will be on August 21. It may be August, but there's still some summer left - enjoy it!

• G Suite Updates: App Launcher Order Change and Easier to Share Google Files with Non-Google Users
• Google Forms: Question by Question Grading
• How to Block and Filter Senders in Gmail
• How to Avoid Toll Roads in Google Maps
• 15 Computer Tips and Tricks Everyone Should Know!
• How to Safely Observe the Upcoming Solar Eclipse

G Suite Updates: 

App Launcher Order Change

The Google App Launcher is the "waffle" or 9 square grid in the upper right corner of your G Suite window. When you click on it you see the apps that are available to you. Did you know you can customize the order of those apps according to your preference? All you have to do is click and drag the icons around to rearrange them. Google will be rearranging the default layout around August 1st, to reflect the apps that are used most often. If you don't like the new app order, now you know you can move them around in an order that makes sense to you. If you'd like more details on this update, here is the G Suite Updates blog post.

Easier to Share Google Files with Non-Google Users

A recent update has made it easier to share Google files with others who do not have a gmail account. When you share a file and one or more of the recipients does not have a Google account, you will receive a prompt to either send an invitation or send the link (no sign-in required). Sending an invitation will send a prompt to the person you are sharing with to sign up for a Google account. You will want to select send the link (no sign-in required). This will allow non-Google users to open the Google file without a gmail account. Full details are here in the G Suite Updates blog.

Google Forms: Question by Question Grading

Google Forms: Question by Question Grading, from Edgaged.net by Lance Yoder
When you give a quiz or test with a mix of auto graded and manually graded questions, you can now look through one question on all submitted quizzes, instead of scanning the entire form. There's a video example in this post.

How to Block and Filter Senders in Gmail

How to Avoid Toll Roads in Google Maps

How to Avoid Toll Roads in Google Maps, from How To Geek by Cameron Summerson
Just in time for those last road trips of the summer, here is a tip for avoiding toll roads. You can also avoid highways if you prefer the more scenic routes.

15 Computer Tips and Tricks Everyone Should Know!

These very useful tips are not just for Windows.

How to Safely Observe the Upcoming Solar Eclipse

How to Safely Observe the Upcoming Solar Eclipse, from How To Geek by Jason Fitzpatrick
Did you know there will be a solar eclipse in North America on August 21st? Protect your eyes by checking out the eclipse directly, with the proper eyewear, or indirectly with a cereal box, foil, paper, tape and a pin. Also take advantage of NASA's interactive map to find out the best viewing time.