Google Apps account changes
In a nutshell:
- Google@Brookes is getting more services (Picasa, Blogger etc)
- If you also use personal Google Mail you won't be able to login to both accounts in the same browser at the same time
- The new services will be introduced in January 2011
What is changing?
The account you use to log in to Google@Brookes will provide access to more Google services. At present it gives you Google Mail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Contacts, Google Docs and Google Sites. After the change you will be able to use many new services such as Blogger, Reader, Picasa Web Albums and iGoogle from your Google@Brookes account.
When is the change happening?
The changeover will occur on January 14th 2011.
How will Google@Brookes change?
The Google@Brookes services you have at the moment will not be affected but after the change you will have access to the majority of other Google services as well. This means you can sign in to Blogger, Picasa and others all with your Google@Brookes account.
Note: when you sign in to these additional services you must use your Brookes ID number along with @brookes.ac.uk in the 'Email' field (e.g. 01234567@brookes.ac.uk).
As Google@Brookes is becoming more like personal Google Mail there may be some issues if you use both, at the same time, in the same web browser.
I do use personal Google Mail, at the same time, in the same browser!
If you already use more than one Google account (i.e. if you have a personal GMail account) at the same time as your Google@Brookes account, in the same web browser please note that after the change you will no longer be able to use both accounts in the same way. You will need to use different web browsers for each account or the Multiple Accounts feature to swap between different Google based accounts. You therefore should be aware of which account you are using at any given time, particularly when saving or sending data. Learn more here.
Is there anything else I need to know?
- Learn more: Further information is available from Google at
http://www.google.com/support/accounts/?topic=28662&rd=1&hl=en - Terms of Use: Although you will have access to additional Google services, they are not provided under the same Terms of Use as the core Google@Brookes service, which cover:
- Google Mail, Google Calendar, Google Contacts, Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Talk, Google Tasks and Google Video
- Data retrieval: The options for transferring data stored in the additional services when the owner leaves the University may be limited. Think about this and look into the options for extracting data before you use them to store information that might be needed after you leave. The Google Data Liberation Front is a good reference.
