How I made Google the most popular site that I use:

Get a Gmail account: In order to do any of this, you MUST have a Gmail account. If you do not have one, click on this link and you can set one up for free! Even if you decide not to use it for email, get it for the ability to sign in to other Google tools. (BTW, I highly recommend the Gmail account. There is a HUGH storage space and the spam filters were great!)

When you have the account…

1. Browse to igoogle.com or www.google.com/ig and Sign in with your new address: xxyyzz@gmail.com & password
2. Set IGoogle as your homepage
   • Thunderbird: Tools – Options – Main
   • Internet Explorer: Tools – Internet Options – General
   • In either browser: click on “Use Current Page”

Develop the homepage...

1. Setup the page with your choice of “gadgets” (use the “Add stuff” button) & “themes” – if you desire
2. Add a Tab: Click on “Add a tab” & give it a name (I use Home; Fun; News; Technology; WiFi & Phone but you should create what makes sense for you)
3. Change to the new tab (by clicking on the “tab” that is just below the “iGoogle” name
4. Add gadgets to the new tab

Add RSS feeds (active links to blogs that give you the current list of headlines and, optionally, summaries) of the newest posts on a particular blog

(NOTE: for a shortcut to rss, check out this article:  http://chiefshepherd.com/technology/rss-for-the-minister/ )

1. Browse to your favorite blog (I am CERTAIN that would be ChiefShepherd )
2. Look for the RSS feed symbol, (usually a small orange block with concentric quarter-circles in the lower right corner.)
3. Click on the RSS symbol / link.
4. In the page that comes up, use the drop-down to select “Subscribe to this feed using GOOGLE” & press [Subscribe Now] – If asked, choose “Google Homepage” rather than the reader.
5. Repeat this step for all of the websites that you want to keep up with regularly. This can be any site as long as they offer the RSS Subscribe option. Some sites (including the Chief Shepherd) offer a feed to the COMMENTS posted on the site. This is ONLY the comments – not the main articles.
6. After adding these feeds, when a site changes (such as when Blog authors add articles/posts, etc) the newest headlines will be displayed on your homepage

Create a Google Calendar (if you did not already do this in the steps above)

1. Browse to calendar.google.com
   1. Sign in if the site asks
   2. Follow the instructions to create a new calendar for yourself
2. Click on the “iGoogle Gadget” link at the top right of the page & follow instructions
3. Now, when you make changes to your calendar, they will be displayed on your homepage

There are MANY gadgets that you can add to one of the tabs of your homepage. Try ‘em out. If you don’t like them, you can delete them (click on the “x” at the upper right of the appropriate gadget). If you would rather have a particular gadget on a DIFFERENT tab, just click on the header of the gadget and drag it onto the TAB of the tab where you want it to go.

Note: If your mobile phone is supported, you can use Google’s tools to be notified of new calendar events or be alerted to upcoming appointments, etc). To find out all that you can do with your phone browse to mobile.google.com (with your home computer). Or, use m.google.com from your phone.

Since I have my system already set up, I am writing much of this from my memory. Therefore, there may be some minor issues that are not exactly accurate. You will just need to use common sense when questions arise. Google is pretty “user friendly” and you should be able to figure it out. If you do find errors in this “HowTo,” then please post a comment so that I can correct the document.

Further help on my Technology Site: http://raywaldo.com/