How to use Google Docs for Live Polls and Quizzes

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:20:43 +0000

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Did you know you can create a live poll using Google Docs and Spreadsheets? It’s quite simple, really. I stumbled across this recently when I needed to do a poll for something in a hurry, and needed to keep it anonymous. Here are the steps you need to take, in order to create your own poll or quiz!

Click New>Spreadsheet in Google Docs.
Click the “share” tab, and then title your poll.
Select “invite” to invite people to fill out the form.
Create the form with your possible answers.

Put in however many choices you want people to have.
Add Help text if you want.
Question Type: You can choose from text, paragraph text, multiple choice
I populated with numbers, so I could get the Spreadsheet application to interpret the data.

Choose recipients… either by adding your contact list… or giving out the URL to others.

Set up a formula to interpret and see your data.
In the next available column, type: =countif(B2:B500, 1) (this is just an example… use the proper rows and columns from your particular sheet).
Continue to make formulas for each of your answer possibility. For my second one, the formula was: =countif(B2:B500, 2)

I then wanted to create a chart to show my data. I entered another formula (C2:C4) and clicked the Chart button.
Choose the type of chart, and what cells you want the chart to graph for you.
Title your Chart, and choose your axis points.
If you want, you can format the number cells to hide them. I just made the font white, so it didn’t show.
Now I’m ready to publish my chart with the poll results. You can even choose to automatically re-publish and update every five minutes… and then share the link via RSS feed, or URL.

Pretty cool, eh?

How to use Google Docs for Live Polls and Quizzes

Is the HP Blackbird 002 any Good?

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:56:40 +0000

Is the HP Blackbird 002 any Good?

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A caller to the 888-PIRILLO line asked me what my opinion is on the new HP Blackbird 002. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to use this product, so I don’t have an opinion. If you’re talking about a gaming rig, then you definitely NEED a pc… not a Mac. Why would you even ask about a Mac? Seriously… if you’re going for a hard-core gaming rig, a Mac is not for you. You want a Windows machine that will overclock and tweak and handle those games you love so much.

Everything about this machine is perfect for a gamer. The cooling and airflow components are outstanding, and the design is cool. It’s very obvious that the HP engineers took their time in building this rig. Heat is the enemy of performance PCs, and the three biggest heat generators are the CPU, the GPUs, and the power supply. The Blackbird isolates each of them in its own thermal chamber, ensuring that cooling air isn’t contaminated with heat from one component on its way to cool off another. Regardless of performance BIOS modification you may make, the Blackbird can handle the heat.

It really is funny that this person called in when they did. I know I’ve gotten a lot of flak from Windows lovers, who are trying to claim I am now a “Mac FanBoy” who despises Windows. That’s just not true. I am using Windows every single day. I still recommend Windows. I still help troubleshoot Windows. And if a gamer asks me what computer should they buy… I don’t have to think twice. It HAS to be a Windows machine. When it comes to anything else they may want or need to do on a machine… I’ll tell them that the Operating System they choose is solely based on their needs and preferences.

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Is the HP Blackbird 002 any Good?

Chris Pirillo » quiz

How to use Google Docs for Live Polls and Quizzes

Is the HP Blackbird 002 any Good?