Online Productivity. Or, how much of my life do I want to give to the behemoth?

That's the thing about Google. They just make it so easy. Here I am using Blogger, after all. Google apps integrate well with all other products in the Googleverse. They play nice with others too, adapting MS Office files into Google Docs, acting as translator between Outlook and iCal ...

Google is almost like Apple in terms of anticipating user needs and wants, and providing wraparound service. One major distinction: Apple wants to sell me stuff. Google wants to sell ME. To others.

It's like that snaky colleague who acts all friendly and wants to get to know you so that someday, years from now, he/she can somehow capitalize on that knowledge - and probably at your expense. Google, is this friendship you offer truly sincere? You're very giving, but I'm sure there will be a price to pay down the road. Is Yahoo any better? Well, they do 'anonymize' your search information after 90 days. Versus, well, never.

Maybe I just need to get used to the idea that this world wants to know more and more about me so it can better sell to me. I have a younger friend who welcomes experiences and advertising 'tailored' to her interests. It doesn’t bother her in the least to have Google read her email, her docs, her appointment calendar, and use all of that to advertise more effectively to her. Why do I object to someone selling my personal information so that they can sell me better? It makes me feel manipulated. I do my own research and prefer lightly biased sources - no bias being impossible in my view. How long until Google tailors its search results to my 'profile'? Fine for me, I can research independently. But what about the millions who rely entirely on Google? OMG, yo!

I've been wanting to find a new calendar option, as I use Outlook to the max at work and could really use a productivity tool like it in my personal life. If I could find the right tool I would be very happy to use it as I currently do Outlook, scheduling appointments of course, and adding in their associated data (i.e. pasting from an email thread). Mostly I appreciate it as a productivity tool in terms of scheduling tasks.

I have a Yahoo mail account, so Yahoo Calendar is easily available. In fact, it's already there as part of my account - I just don't currently use it. I also have an iPhone. I often make notes on my iPhone and have recently begun using its calendar. Will Yahoo play nice with both Outlook and iCal? Can all three speak to each other? Word on the street seems to suggest a hearty yes. Only one way to find out. But the syncing process even between Yahoo and Outlook was more complex than I could handle on work time, so it will have to wait.

While some people will continue to use a paper calendar or agenda for their daily scheduling, I think most people younger than the boomers (and many boomers too) have switched or will switch over to an electronic calendar of some sort. It is just too handy to have all your info electronically, rather than rewrite appointments, manage sticky notes and business cards, and the like. I'm just saying yes to e-filing. But not to Google Calendar. They know enough about me already.