Google offers free online software to teachers in California

Online search engine Google Inc. is offering free software in California as a public service for teachers who may not have the money or expertise to introduce more technology into their classrooms. For the past few months, Google has been giving away an online word processor, spreadsheet, and other programs that can perform tasks usually handled by desktop software, such as Microfsoft’s Office suite. The online programs store everything in Google's data centers so the information can be retrieved on any Internet-connected computer. That aspect of the program worries some privacy experts, who think the data could be targeted by hackers or identity thieves. Google says it plans to recruit teachers in other parts of the country who want to sample the benefits of the free software, which also allows people in different locations to collaborate simultaneously. Read more about it at CNN.com.