Google Wave is a real-time communication tool that enables several users to work together, in real-time, on the same project, in a conversation, or by using the same application, such as a game. The following tips will give the user a broader picture of what can be accomplished after starting a wave, and help kick start a dynamic dissemination of information.
What is a Hosted Conversation and How Does it Work?
A host opens a wave session and invites others to join in. Each invited participant is able to watch others type, jump in at any portion of the conversation and also edit it, as they see fit. The changes are highlighted as they are made, so everyone knows what data is undergoing change. If a participant leaves the wave and returns, the changes that were made in their absence, will remain highlighted and available for review, by using the "Playback" button.
Adding Contacts to Google Wave
Click the "+" sign next to avatar of the wave host. If the contact name does not show in the participant box, type their email address in the search box to locate and add them.
How to Reply to a Wave
To respond to an initial comment, click the respond button on the new wave's toolbar. An area will appear with your avatar. Use this space to write your response.
To reply within a message box, double click and the word "reply" will appear. Select that with your cursor and a new conversation area will show.
Any area of the wave can be used for an instant-message type ofresponse with only a click of the mouse. Move a cursor over the bottom edge of the comment to which a response is needed, and click the mouse when the words "insert rely here" show up and a blue line appears.
Use the drop down arrow by the time stamp, in the "rely box," to choose to edit, reply, reply in private, delete, hide or copy all messages to a new wave.
To complete the comment, hit the "done" button or use the "shift" "enter" combination of keys on the keyboard.
Use the space bar to navigate sequentially from one message to the other.
Search for Waves
The search area is found next to the "new wave" button. Search by using keywords or the tag operator as in the example, tags: search term.
Customize the Wave Panels
To achieve a larger surface area for the wave, simply use the minimize button on the top right of each section or click between the panels and use your mouse to drag the panel to the desired size.
Save a Search in Google Wave
Select the "+," that is found next to "searches" in the navigation panel. Add your search title and a query, if desired. When the submit button is clicked, the search title will appear under the "searches" heading, for easy access in the future. Using the drop down arrow next to the search title, will allow users to rename, delete, edit or set a color for the search.
Add a Wave Folder
Add a wave folder by typing a folder name in the box that appears when the "+" is checked, in the area next to the "folders" heading in the navigation panel. Drag and drop saved waves into this folder for easy organization.
Google Wave Photo Applications
The beauty of Google Wave is the ability to drag and drop just about any file with an extension. Imagine that a wave with friends is in process, and a friend inquires about a newly completed trip. Just drag photos from the desktop or photo album and show them how much fun the trip was. The photos will appear in their wave as soon as they have completed the download process. In turn, the friend may chose to add their photos to the same wave. Click on the "Images" button, toward the bottom of the page, for the options, "View as slide show", "Upload images", "Download all" and "Copy to a new wave." This process allows for collaboration, as all photos are now available for use by everyone in the wave.
Publishing From Google Wave to a Blog
Publishing the wave to a blog is as simple as dragging the blog icon to the participant area, from contacts. A yellow bar will appear under the toolbar to show where the wave was published. Click the underlined link to see the published work. The participants can respond by commenting on the embedded blog, and the words will also appear in the wave.
What is Playback and Why is it Helpful?
Playback is a feature that shows a step-by-step view of the creation of a wave. Waves can become lengthy, and playback enables a review of the processes that took place as the wave grew, and allows users to see the thought processes behind the wave.
If a participant was invited after the wave began, or a co-worker was running late for the wave meeting, they are able to see the wave from start to finish, by clicking the "playback" button on the toolbar. A standard video playback bar will appear and can be viewed from the beginning, or the slider can be used to find individual portions of the wave.
Google Wave is an exciting new platform whose many uses may revolutionize the way people communicate with one another in the business and social arenas of their lives. Extensions are used to make the waves even more useful.
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