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Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes: The unofficial guide to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides

Third Edition of Top-Selling Google Guide Released

By News

Publisher i30 Media today released a completely updated edition of Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes: The unofficial guide to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides (ISBN: 978-1-64188-054-1) by author Ian Lamont.

“This guide has been our top-selling title in the IN 30 MINUTES series since the first edition was published in 2013,” said Lamont, who is also the president and founder of i30 Media. “As Google has made many major improvements to the software in recent years, I thought it was really important to update the entire text.”

In addition to covering the more popular browser-based applications such as Google Drive (online file storage), Google Docs (a word processor), and Google Sheets (a spreadsheet program), the third edition of the book covers newer applications and features including Google Forms (an online survey tool), Google Sites (a simple website builder), and live collaboration.

The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with lots of step-by-step instructions and examples and nearly 50 screenshots. The guide can be used by anyone with a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. Mobile apps are not included in this edition.

More information about Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Third Edition as well as online ordering options can be found on the companion website, googledrive.in30minutes.com. The site also includes blog posts, videos, and other resources for readers. The paperback retail price is $13.99, while the ebook and PDF edition is available for $9.99. A hardcover edition is available for $22.99.

Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes sample page

A sample page from Chapter 1 of Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes

About the author

Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes is authored by Ian Lamont, an award-winning business and technology journalist and the founder of i30 Media Corporation. His media career has spanned more than 25 years across three continents, including a stint in the British music industry and a six-year residence in Taipei, where he learned Mandarin and worked for a local TV network and newspaper.

Lamont’s editorial work has garnered industry awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). His books include Dropbox In 30 Minutes, Twitter In 30 Minutes, and Lean Media: How to focus creativity, streamline production, and create media that audiences love.

Lamont is a graduate of the Boston University College of Communication and MIT’s Sloan Fellows program. He lives with his family in the Boston area.

About In 30 Minutes guides

i30 Media is the publisher of IN 30 MINUTES guides – “Quick guides for a complex world.” Thousands of readers turn to IN 30 MINUTES guides to understand mildly complex topics, ranging from home-buying to social media. The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with step-by-step instructions and lots of examples. The series has won multiple awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and Foreword Reviews. Top-selling titles include Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Twitter In 30 Minutes, and LinkedIn In 30 Minutes. For more information about the series, visit in30minutes.com.

 

i30 Media releases second edition of award-winning Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes

By News

Publisher i30 Media today released the second edition of Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes: The quick guide to creating a family tree, building connections with relatives, and discovering the stories of your ancestors (ISBN: 978-1-64188-051-0) by author and professional genealogist Shannon Combs-Bennett. 

“Shannon’s award-winning book has been a consistent strong seller since the first edition was released five years ago,” said Ian Lamont, president and founder of i30 Media. “We realized that the pace of change in this field is so rapid, and the interest in genealogy and family history is so strong, that an updated edition was required for 2021.”

The revised second edition explains the joys, challenges, and triumphs of researching family origins. The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with many examples and case studies that help illustrate basic genealogy concepts and research strategies. Specific topics include:

  • Why are people so interested in family history?
  • Evaluating clues, facts, and myths in family stories
  • The importance of linking generations
  • Vital records, from birth certificates to death records
  • Non-vital records, from census forms to wills
  • Religious records
  • Five things that can trip up newbies researching family history
  • Best practices for genealogy road trips
  • Interviewing relatives, and dealing with skeptics
  • Pros and cons of online genealogy research
  • Genetic genealogy basics
  • Understanding the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
  • The importance of DNA to adoptees and family members
  • Non-paternal events and other skeletons in the genetic closet
  • Research logs and genealogy journals
  • Preserving records and research
  • Genealogy software and GEDCOM files
  • Planning for disasters

The guide also includes charts that illustrate family relationships as well as an appendix of questions that can help children connect with older relatives and learn more about family history. 

More information about Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes, Second Edition as well as online ordering options can be found on the companion website, genealogy.in30minutes.com. The site also includes blog posts, videos, and other resources for readers. The paperback retail price is $13.99, while the ebook and PDF edition is available for $9.99. A hardcover edition is available for $22.99.

About the author

Shannon Combs-Bennett authorShannon Combs-Bennett is an author, researcher, and lecturer based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She regularly speaks and writes about genetic genealogy and research methodology. Shannon is a frequent contributor to Family Tree Magazine and Family Tree University. Her blog Trials and Tribulations (T2) Family History chronicles her journey through research and family exploration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University, with an emphasis in genetics, which started her passion for research and genetic genealogy. Shannon completed the Boston University Certificate of Genealogical Research and earned her Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) in American Records from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She received a Masters in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleographic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in 2019. Currently Shannon is working toward her PhD in History with a genealogy emphasis, also from the University of Strathclyde. Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes is her third book.

About In 30 Minutes guides

i30 Media is the publisher of IN 30 MINUTES guides – “Quick guides for a complex world.” Thousands of readers turn to IN 30 MINUTES guides to understand mildly complex topics, ranging from home-buying to social media. The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with step-by-step instructions and lots of examples. The series has won multiple awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and Foreword Reviews. Top-selling titles include Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Twitter In 30 Minutes, and LinkedIn In 30 Minutes. For more information about the series, visit in30minutes.com.

Announcing Thyroid Cancer & Thyroid Nodules In 30 Minutes

By News

Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodules In 30 MinutesNewton, Mass., June 23 — Publisher i30 Media today launched Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodules In 30 Minutes: A guide to symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, and disease management (ISBN: 978-1-64188-046-6). In the book, author, surgeon, and Harvard Medical School Professor Per-Olof Hasselgren M.D., Ph.D., uses plain-English explanations, case studies, and illustrations to explain the basics of thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules. Topics include:

 
  • The anatomy and function of the thyroid gland
  • The role of thyroid hormones
  • Blood and imaging tests
  • Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
  • Bethesda classifications and the risk for cancer
  • Management of benign nodules
  • Management of thyroid cancer
  • Total thyroidectomies and other types of thyroid surgery
  • Different types of doctors and medical specialists you may encounter 

The author also describes four cases involving patients diagnosed with thyroid nodules, including malignant nodules. He will help us follow the diagnostic workup and management options (including different types of surgeries) in a 37-year old stay-at-home mom, a 19-year old college student, a 62-year old truck driver, and a 58-year old high school teacher.

This book is not a do-it-yourself guide — a doctor is needed to diagnose and provide medical advice. However, Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodules In 30 Minutes can help you understand what your doctor is recommending and why. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with thyroid nodules, Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodules In 30 Minutes can be an invaluable and expert resource. 

More information about Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodules In 30 Minutes as well as online ordering options can be found on the companion website, thyroid.in30minutes.com. The paperback retail price is $14.99 while the ebook edition is available on the Amazon Kindle and other devices for $9.99. A hardcover edition is also available.

What readers are saying

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A very informative read that covers all the basics in a simple and easy-to-read format. The use of case studies was particularly useful and there are a number of pages I will certainly be referring to as a refresher in the future. As a voice therapist, I would have preferred more on the impact of the voice but that’s from my own professional perspective.

Overall, a very handy introduction to the subject and ideal for making quick references.

– Sophie R., NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I have read many books on Thyroid conditions and I found this book to be the most informative and easy to understand. It explains what the thyroid actually does and how it functions, right through to the conditions that can affect it. Well-written and very pleased to have it in my library.

– Julia H., NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book is a comprehensive and understandable description of thyroid diseases and issues. I was diagnosed with thyroid nodules 20 years ago and have been having checkups every year. This book put my mind at ease about the probability of them turning to cancer. I wish I had access to this information when I was diagnosed. This book is a MUST READ for anyone with thyroid issues.

– Josie O., NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is a fantastic guide about the thyroid, thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules.

This guide explains about what the thyroid is, what it does, what it looks like, where it is and how it’s used, then goes on to show 4 cases where patients have had thyroid nodules or cancer and what happened medically for them.

My mother had Thyroid cancer last year and had her thyroid and parathyroid removed and I wish we would have had this book then, it would have put us so much at ease.

– Natalie H., NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

For years, I have had thyroid nodules, and see an endocrinologist regularly for treatment. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I immediately wanted to read it to find out more about my condition. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy, which I read in a short time. The book is not long, but it provides a good overview and explanation of the thyroid, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Luckily, my nodules are quite small and have not led to surgery or to cancer—which I hope continues. This book can provide a lot of good information on the thyroid for anyone with a thyroid condition, who has a loved one or someone they know with a thyroid condition, or who has or has had thyroid cancer. I liked the way Dr. Hasselgren began by setting the stage, discussing the thyroid, where it is located in the body and its functions. He then covered everything and anything a person would want to know about nodules, thyroid surgery and thyroid cancer. The book was not too wordy, nor did it “talk down” to the reader. No, it was professionally written, in language anyone could understand. 

– Kathy Talley, Goodreads

About the author

Per-Olof Hasselgren, M.D., Ph.D. has practiced surgery for 45 years. During his career, he has performed numerous procedures related to endocrine surgery, including thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal gland procedures. Dr. Hasselgren recently stepped down from his clinical duties to devote more time to teaching and research. He is a member of the Section of Endocrine Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and serves as the George H.A. Clowes, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

About In 30 Minutes guides

i30 Media is the publisher of In 30 Minutes guides – “Quick guides for a complex world.” Thousands of readers turn to In 30 Minutes guides to understand mildly complex topics, ranging from genealogy to software. The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with step-by-step instructions and lots of examples. Top-selling titles include Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Acid Reflux & Heartburn In 30 Minutes, and LinkedIn In 30 Minutes. For more information about the series, visit in30minutes.com

PUBLISHER CONTACT: info@in30minutes.com, +1 (617) 213-0811

How to set up a neighborhood Facebook group to cope with Coronavirus

By Tips

There is no IN 30 MINUTES guide about Facebook and I never write about the social network, but today I’ll be making an exception. That’s because Facebook has a chance to shine in the current Coronavirus health crisis, as a place for neighbors to come together in hyperlocal Facebook groups. This post will show how to set one up.

Because Facebook is so widely used (around 70% of U.S. adults have accounts, and three in four use the site daily), small Facebook groups for individual streets or small neighborhoods can serve as a virtual gathering spots while people are quarantined or practicing social distancing. Through these groups, residents can marshal support and resources for vulnerable/at risk neighbors including seniors and people with underlying health issues.

This is what our neighborhood Facebook group is doing. The group includes members of about 60 households. Via a post to the group, a subset of people have volunteered to help with picking up groceries or medicines, helping with technology questions, or just checking in.

Does this sound like something your neighborhood would be interested in? Read on to see how to quickly set up a local Facebook group in a web browser.

  1. Open facebook.com and select GROUPS on the left side of the page, under “Explore.”
Facebook groups

2. In the top left corner of the page, select CREATE GROUP.

Facebook create group

3. Name the group, and set privacy & visibility settings. You can also add some people from your network.

Facebook group privacy settings

I advise keeping it really local – a street or small neighborhood as opposed to a large neighborhood or district. If it’s too large or too widely dispersed, people may be unwilling to join (“I don’t know any of these people!”) or members will be too far away to ask for or provide help.

I also advise being strict about privacy and visibility, to avoid the group being overrun by spammers. If you know everyone on your street and they are Facebook members, you can invite them to the group in the next step so you don’t have to wait for them to discover the Facebook group on their own.

4. Invite more people by selecting MORE > INVITE MEMBERS or using the INVITE MEMBERS widget on the right side of the page.

Facebook Groups invite members

In addition to current residents, you may also want to invite adult children who have moved away. They will have a better idea of the needs of parents who still live in the old neighborhood, who may not even be on Facebook.

5. Select MORE > MODERATE GROUP to review member requests, create rules, and more. Consider adding another administrator to help you keep the group on track.

6. Other settings such as description, location, etc., can be accessed through MORE > EDIT GROUP SETTINGS.

More information about groups can be found here.

Third edition of Excel Basics In 30 Minutes now available

By Uncategorized

Newton, Mass., February 3  — Publisher i30 Media officially released the third edition of Excel Basics In 30 Minutes: The beginner’s guide to Microsoft Excel, Excel Online, and Google Sheets (ISBN: 978-1-64188-039-8) by author Ian Lamont. The revised edition of the top-selling guide has not only been updated for Excel 2019 (part of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite), but also covers improvements to the Excel online and mobile apps. 

“There has been a great deal of interest in the latest version of Excel,” Lamont says. “And not just Excel 2019 for Windows and Mac desktops. Lots of people access Excel through the mobile apps for Android phones and iPhones.”

Excel Basics In 30 Minutes starts with an exploration of basic spreadsheet concepts, including the desktop, mobile and online interfaces for Microsoft Excel. It also covers formatting, functions, formulas, AutoFill, charts, printing, filtering, and sorting. The guide uses a series of examples that follow a fictional sales team to illustrate how to use the spreadsheet software.

Excel Basics In 30 Minutes 3rd Edition

Almost anyone can use Excel for work, school, personal projects, and other uses.”

– Excel Basics In 30 Minutes

For readers who don’t have an Office 365 subscription, the book includes explanations of how to use two free Excel alternatives: Excel Online and Google Sheets.   

More information about Excel Basics In 30 Minutes as well as online ordering options can be found on the book’s companion website, excel.in30minutes.com. The paperback retail price is $12.99, while the ebook edition is available via Amazon, Apple, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble for $8.99. A hardback edition (ISBN 978-1-64188-040-4) is also available. 

About the author

Ian Lamont is an award-winning technology journalist, author, and publisher, and the founder of i30 Media Corp. and IN 30 MINUTES Guides. His books include Twitter In 30 Minutes and Lean Media: How to focus creativity, streamline production, and create media that audiences love. A graduate of Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he lives in the Boston area with his family.

About In 30 Minutes guides

i30 Media is the publisher of In 30 Minutes guides – “Quick guides for a complex world.” Thousands of readers turn to In 30 Minutes guides to understand mildly complex topics, ranging from genealogy to software. The tone is friendly and easy to understand, with step-by-step instructions and lots of examples. Recent titles include Social Security In 30 Minutes, Acid Reflux & Heartburn In 30 Minutes, and Microsoft Word In 30 Minutes. For more information about the series, visit in30minutes.com.

PUBLISHER CONTACT: info@in30minutes.com, +1 (617) 213-0811