Google Friend Connect: now available

We're pleased to share that Google Friend Connect is now available in beta to any webmaster looking to add a "dash of social" to his or her site. This service lets webmasters add social features to their sites by simply copying and pasting a few snippets of code — no advanced coding or technical background required. <br /><br />We know that people want to be social on the web, and Friend Connect makes it easy for anyone to sign in to a website, share a little bit about themselves through a personal profile, discover other people with similar interests, invite their contacts, and interact with friends. Even better, you don't have to deal with the hassle of creating yet another username and password — Friend Connect lets you log in using an existing account from Google, Yahoo, AOL, or OpenID. Similarly, you can choose to either establish a new profile or use profiles and friend sources from other social networks that have opened up their services, like Plaxo and orkut. To learn more, watch the video tour below:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N94s7ix0JPo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N94s7ix0JPo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />We launched Friend Connect as a <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/friend-connected-web.html">preview release in May</a>, and since then we have been working closely with a handful of website owners, social networks, and application developers to improve its speed and scalability, ease of use, and customization capabilities. We've also expanded the features available to users with richer, more integrated profiles and new ways to discuss and share content, like including YouTube videos in your comments.<br /><br />Friend Connect's goal is to facilitate an open social web. Using open standards like OpenID and OAuth, Friend Connect makes it simple for people to instantly interact with one another on the sites that they already love to visit. Additionally, websites that use Friend Connect become OpenSocial containers, capable of running applications created by the OpenSocial developer community.<br /><br />In the coming months, we're excited to see more webmasters add Friend Connect to their sites, helping their visitors engage with each other across the web.<br /><br />To learn more, please visit <a href="http://www.google.com/friendconnect">www.google.com/friendconnect</a>.<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Mussie Shore, Product Manager</span>

Google Friend Connect: now available

We're pleased to share that Google Friend Connect is now available in beta to any webmaster looking to add a "dash of social" ...

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Helping healthcare providers become more efficient

Healthcare professionals have always focused on reducing costs while still increasing the quality of the care they provide to patients — and this kind of efficiency becomes even more important in challenging economic times.<br /><br />Fortunately, healthcare providers can turn to the web for a growing number of resources that help them achieve these goals. With our health initiatives and solutions for businesses of all kinds, Google is committed to helping bring exactly these kinds of productivity gains and cost reductions to healthcare providers. We're also committed to harnessing the power of the web to help people everywhere effectively manage their healthcare records and information in a private, secure online setting.<br /><br />To learn about our latest innovations in this area, tune in to our free <a href="https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=128253&sessionid=1&key=4F98682FAB66D97F6AB133D75E24A790&sourcepage=register">webinar</a> scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, at 10:00 am PT.<br /><br />The session will include a current look at <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=health&nui=1&continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&rm=hide">Google Health</a>, which empowers patients to securely organize and manage their health information online. For the full lineup of topics that will be covered, check out our post on the <a href="http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2008/12/helping-healthcare-providers-become_04.html">Enterprise blog</a>.<br /><br />We hope to see you there.<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Sundar Raghavan, Google Enterprise Team</span>

Helping healthcare providers become more efficient

Healthcare professionals have always focused on reducing costs while still increasing the quality of the care they provide to patients — and...

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Holiday templates to keep you organized

The holidays are upon us, and there's much to do: Gifts to be wrapped, lights to be strung, candles to be lit, and a long list of tasks at the home and the office. A little creativity can come in handy at this time of year. You can save time and money with the Google Docs template gallery for documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Whether you're a small business owner or the chief holiday organizer, the gallery includes a few special templates designed to help you spread a little holiday cheer. Here are a few tips to help you get everything done on time:<br /><br />1. Email friends, colleagues or customers this <a href="http://docs.google.com/templates?q=business+addresses&sort=hottest&view=public">survey form</a> to update your mailing list...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E04z_0Dowi4hGPhw6wDDfWgyhDny5-_f9KVLYUkxrrtI_ZK2Zoc2l0ZNjAXwjUCPQWF819HnGArzJjYJl5A-EavoAMxJxzxJPj4-D-qO5ROScrKIJjMbWgW8nqu0beHiJdjPPFumeDAJ/s1600-h/company+mailing+address.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275605414042347154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E04z_0Dowi4hGPhw6wDDfWgyhDny5-_f9KVLYUkxrrtI_ZK2Zoc2l0ZNjAXwjUCPQWF819HnGArzJjYJl5A-EavoAMxJxzxJPj4-D-qO5ROScrKIJjMbWgW8nqu0beHiJdjPPFumeDAJ/s400/company+mailing+address.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 124px;" /></a><br />2. ...and then send them a <a href="http://docs.google.com/templates?q=holiday+postcard+snowflake&sort=hottest&view=public">holiday postcard</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha33mC7qNM2E1S49M_dpplFoy0vk3WSbSGMPLdWclVoW1ZCy76G72cYeqXWdzllcWrgirXQ6k7LT3_jCjtQuuE8P_V0uvOhZd2KdHDrigHX6EiMsL5V_25qEN_qraBfq9mPD0aS7vQIa63/s1600-h/avery+snowflake+post+card%282%29.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275612676644676098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha33mC7qNM2E1S49M_dpplFoy0vk3WSbSGMPLdWclVoW1ZCy76G72cYeqXWdzllcWrgirXQ6k7LT3_jCjtQuuE8P_V0uvOhZd2KdHDrigHX6EiMsL5V_25qEN_qraBfq9mPD0aS7vQIa63/s400/avery+snowflake+post+card%282%29.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 124px;" /></a><br />3. Use fun <a href="http://docs.google.com/templates?q=address+label+&sort=hottest&view=public">mailing labels</a> to save time when sending packages...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnV6Jcga4wszwqMQuM9xsNzNrYQJ0DD6HrwUoConpuon4LYPlaMqNbLTRAs5luu3__Vl5gSv7hYDewL0PPkMpg5PA6v6DeBNfYQWHxiOQ-nxqk2PQlDsS1RyNPshBHGxN-uHy5l2pkRcR/s1600-h/avery+santa+mailing+labels+-+20%282%29.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275612954214661138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnV6Jcga4wszwqMQuM9xsNzNrYQJ0DD6HrwUoConpuon4LYPlaMqNbLTRAs5luu3__Vl5gSv7hYDewL0PPkMpg5PA6v6DeBNfYQWHxiOQ-nxqk2PQlDsS1RyNPshBHGxN-uHy5l2pkRcR/s400/avery+santa+mailing+labels+-+20%282%29.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 124px;" /></a><br />4. ...and these <a href="http://docs.google.com/templates?q=gift+tags&sort=hottest&view=public">festive gift tags</a> to personalize gifts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJxKP8TY6y43R0PKiL1su36xZytJmEx5sUvOxTLEe0cjlRxQmbsryOhmBMfgqsK2Y1VvPrHSYqypam_LKMcx1lDsEGRWmhFyIDI2-iIE0VNY7uBo_CfMmLIf12QK7hjedCkokrYt6Oi3/s1600-h/string+of+lights+gift+tags.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275607470695238466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJxKP8TY6y43R0PKiL1su36xZytJmEx5sUvOxTLEe0cjlRxQmbsryOhmBMfgqsK2Y1VvPrHSYqypam_LKMcx1lDsEGRWmhFyIDI2-iIE0VNY7uBo_CfMmLIf12QK7hjedCkokrYt6Oi3/s400/string+of+lights+gift+tags.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 124px;" /></a><br />5. If there's no time for snail mail, email a <a href="http://docs.google.com/templates?q=video+card&sort=hottest&view=public">video card</a> to send friends and colleagues warm wishes or to thank customers for their business.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLOZEyyO7T12HRI_Gq0WKzf71zryHX7cdcIxVwc4lx92EoafwQmm62z-2aKHCuddSqkGh3H0RTLOy5hyFFrP0JEMyMoe7ZJfJezKar203w_Z_of44J_KQ-xNEWv26wlrTYyj_CH6XTo5r/s1600-h/red+and+blue+video+card.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608043770442722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLOZEyyO7T12HRI_Gq0WKzf71zryHX7cdcIxVwc4lx92EoafwQmm62z-2aKHCuddSqkGh3H0RTLOy5hyFFrP0JEMyMoe7ZJfJezKar203w_Z_of44J_KQ-xNEWv26wlrTYyj_CH6XTo5r/s400/red+and+blue+video+card.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 122px;" /></a><br />It's easy to get started with any of these tips. In Google Docs, just click File -> New -> From Template to be taken to the <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/templates">main template gallery</a> (it's worth a look!). Click the "Holiday" category to see just the <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/templates?category=21&sort=hottest&view=public">holiday templates</a>, or you can tab through to filter results by product. Pick the design you like and edit it for your needs. And you can always find help at the <a href="http://documents.google.com/support/?hl=en">Google Docs Help Center</a>.<br /><br />We have more holiday ideas on our <a href="http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2008/12/organize-holidays-with-templates-in.html">Enterprise Blog</a>, along with other hints and tips to keep your workplace humming all through the year.<br /><br />We hope you enjoy, and season's greetings!<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Serena Satyasai, Google Apps Elf</span>

Holiday templates to keep you organized

The holidays are upon us, and there's much to do: Gifts to be wrapped, lights to be strung, candles to be lit, and a long list of tasks ...

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Calling all musicians: Join YouTube's Symphony Orchestra

YouTube is offering musicians around the globe the opportunity to join a symphony orchestra via video through the world's first collaborative online orchestra. This is a chance to perform alongside world-renowned conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, learn from composer Tan Dun and many members of the London Symphony Orchestra, and consult with pianist Lang Lang. All video entries will be combined into the first-ever collaborative virtual performance, and people around the world will select their favorites to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall in April 2009.<br /><br />If you're interested in auditioning, or would like more information about this program, head over to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/symphony">YouTube Symphony Orchestra channel</a> and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/blog?entry=qwTiF0HMrog">YouTube Blog</a>.<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by The YouTube Team</span>

Calling all musicians: Join YouTube's Symphony Orchestra

YouTube is offering musicians around the globe the opportunity to join a symphony orchestra via video through the world's first collabor...

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Countdown to 2009

The end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect, celebrate, and look forward to new things to come. This is also a season when things tend to get a bit too hectic. So we wanted to share some tips that we hope will help make the best of your holidays and year-end celebrations.<br /><br />We'll be counting down to 2009 with one new tip per day to get you through the holidays. We'll cover everything from today's tip on "Gift ideas and holiday savings" to checking out your flight status with Google Search. There will be much more to come throughout December, so check <a href="http://www.google.com/countdownto2009/#utm_source=ogb&utm_medium=ogb&utm_campaign=ay">Google's Countdown to 2009</a> daily and add a <a href="http://www.google.com/ig/adde?moduleurl=www.google.com/ig/modules/google_tips.xml&up_countdown=1">countdown gadget</a> to your iGoogle page.<br /><br />We wish you a wonderful head start to the holiday season.<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Anita Yuen, Group Product Marketing Manager<br /></span>

Countdown to 2009

The end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect, celebrate, and look forward to new things to come. This is also a season when things ten...

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The Santa countdown begins...

I remember when I was 8 years old standing in the middle of our living room, gazing at our Christmas tree. I dared not blink, fearing that the twinkling tinsel, gleaming lights, and the pile of festively wrapped gifts would all be gone when I opened my eyes again. Once I finally hopped into bed, still wide-awake and staring at the ceiling, I listened to every gust of wind, every creak of the rafters, wondering if Santa had landed on our roof. “Where is Santa now?” I thought. “When will he be here?” Eventually, sheer mental exhaustion ushered me off to sleep.<br /><br />The spirit of the season and a wondrous curiosity electrify many people's imaginations during the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve. That’s why Google has teamed up again this year with <a href="http://www.norad.mil/">NORAD</a>, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, to bring you the NORAD Santa Tracker.<br /><br />NORAD provides aerospace warning and control for North America 365 days a year. On Christmas Eve, they turn their attention to Santa, tracking his yearly gift-delivering journey from the North Pole. The Santa Tracker itself goes live at 6am EST on December 24th. In the meantime, you will find the unique history of the Santa Tracker, holiday-themed games (a new one released each day) and updates from the North Pole at <a href="http://www.noradsanta.org/">www.noradsanta.org</a>, the official NORAD Tracks Santa website.<br /><br />Check it out, and don’t forget to bookmark the site so you can come back often throughout the month. And, of course, be sure to visit on Christmas Eve to follow Santa as he makes his way toward your area. You can track him in both Google Maps and Google Earth, and can also view videos of his flights over several landmark cities, captured by special "Santa cams." Here are some highlights from last year's Santa Tracker:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D7XpqeJyECo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D7XpqeJyECo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Visit <a href="http://www.noradsanta.org/">www.noradsanta.org</a> for more information.)</span><br /><br />Happy holidays to all, and to Santa... a good flight!<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Jeffery Martin, Geo Product Marketing Manager, child at heart</span>

The Santa countdown begins...

I remember when I was 8 years old standing in the middle of our living room, gazing at our Christmas tree. I dared not blink, fearing that t...

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Get holiday gift ideas and special savings

Today is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_Monday">Cyber Monday</a> and we know many of you have holiday shopping on your mind. If you're not sure what to buy for that special someone, or if you're looking for ways to save on your holiday purchases, Google Product Search and Google Checkout can help.<br /><br />Our Product Search team recently pored over millions of aggregated (and anonymous) search queries to put together some of the most popular products people are searching for. You can see the season's most-wanted gifts in various categories such as toys & games, cold weather apparel, and specialty foods. Someone you know just may have one of these items on their wish list.<br /><br />With Google Checkout, you can shop quickly and easily with one login for hundreds of stores across the web. And now Checkout buyers can save $5, $10, $20 or more on their holiday shopping at over 600 participating stores, including StarbucksStore.com, the HBO Shop, J&R Electronics, and Petco.com. These exclusive discounts are available through December 17th.<br /><br />To help you kick off the shopping season with ease, we've created a <a href="http://www.google.com/holidayshopping#utm_source=us-en-et-gblog&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=holiday08">special site</a> that brings these holiday savings and gift ideas together in one place. Enjoy your seasonal shopping!<br /><br /><span class="byline-author">Posted by Jessica Ng, Google Product Search Team and Anita Barci, Google Checkout Team</span>

Get holiday gift ideas and special savings

Today is Cyber Monday and we know many of you have holiday shopping on your mind. If you're not sure what to buy for that special someo...

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