Google Apps Script makes it is easy for you to integrate data and functionality from Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, YouTube, and most other Google APIs. Apps Script is JavaScript under the hood so you don’t have to learn a new language and you don’t have to manage any servers since all your code runs on the Google Cloud, not your browser.

In this video tutorial, you’ll learn how to develop Google Apps Script projects locally on your computer inside Visual Studio Code. You can write your code in modern JavaScript, neatly organized in modules, and the build environment will use Babel and Webpack to transform your code into a version of JavaScript that is compatible with Apps Script.

Modern Development with Google Apps Script

There are quite a few advantages with having a local development environment vis-a-vis writing code in the Apps Script Cloud IDE.

1. You can write code with ES6 Classes, Arrow Functions, Modules, Destructing and use all the other modern JavaScript features.
2. The development experience inside VS Code is unmatched and tools like ESLint and Prettier make it easier for you to catch errors early in the development.
3. The build and deployment process can be completely automated with npm scripts and CLASP, Google’s command line utility for Apps Script.
4. VS Code has built-in support for Git and integrates with source control providers like Github and Gitlab. It is therefore easier to track changes and restore previous versions of the code.
5. You can quickly integrate JavaScript libraries like LoDash, Moment, Underscore and any of the NPM packages into your code.
6. You can use modern frameworks like React, Vue.js and Angular to build the HTML frontend that connects to the backend with the Google Script Client API.

Getting Started with the Apps Script Starter

The Starter kit is a boilerplate for quickly getting started with local Apps Script development locally inside VS Code. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

1. Clone the Github repository to a local folder

git clone //github.com/labnol/apps-script-start my-project

2. Switch to the project folder

cd my-project

3. Install all the project dependencies and utilities

npm install

4. Connect CLASP to your Google account

npx clasp login

5. Create a new Google Apps Script project in your Google Drive with CLASP

npx clasp create "My Project" --rootDir ./dist

This command will create a new .clasp.json file in your project folder that links the local folder with your Apps Script project. During build, Webpack will bundle all your code in a single JavaScript file and add it to the ./dist folder that Clasp will push to your Apps Script project.

Next, open the current project folder inside VS Code with the code . command. It includes some sample code but we will start with a blank folder so delete everything that’s inside the src folder.

Inside the src folder, create a new file – email.js – and write a simple arrow function that prints a list of all the email addresses connected to your Gmail account.

Next, create an index.js file (entry point) in the src folder, import the email function that you’ve created inside the email.js file and add it to the global object. This is a requirement of the Webpack plugin for Google Apps Script.

You can also add a function expression to the global object directly, like doGet in the example below.

Now that your JavaScript code is ready, open the appsscript.json file in your project folder and modify the oAuthScopes property to only include the scopes that are required by your project.

Next, jump to the command line terminal and run the deploy command to push your code to the Apps Script project.

npm run deploy

After the deployment is complete, open the associated script in the browser with the CLASP open command.

npx clasp open

Inside the Apps Script Editor, go to the Run menu and choose the getEmailAddress function from the list. Open the logs and you should see your email addresses in the window.

Then go to the Publish menu, choose Deploy as web app and open the URL in a new browser tab to check the program output. That’s how easy it is to build projects with the Google Apps Script starter kit.

Using Git with Google Apps Script

Create a new repository in Github and make a note of the URL of the new repository. Next, open the terminal and run the following commands to push your Apps Script project to Github.

Also see: Most Useful Google Apps Scripts

The same approach is used by Digital Inspiration for building popular Google add-ons including Gmail Mail Merge, Google Forms Notifications and Document Studio.

The post Google Apps Script for Developers appeared first on Digital Inspiration.

I spent 10 days with my first foldable phone not too long ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The new category has me hooked, as it seeks to expand the possibilities of mobile computing. Now Lenovo is jumping on board with a foldable laptop prototype in its ThinkPad X1 family. If I wasn’t already convinced that foldables are the future, I would be now.

Keep in mind this is just a prototype product. There’s still a lot we don’t know, including specifications or even the official, final name. Lenovo says it’s been developing this prototype for the past three years, and it will launch in 2020.

A literal notebook

Foldable simply means a product can be folded like a sheet of paper, and that requires special screen technology to work. Reducing a device’s physical size while expanding the display is the goal.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold, for example, offers up a sprawling 7.3-inch screen when the phone is unfolded (most phones have screens around the 6-inch mark). Close it up, and the Fold is only marginally larger than your average phone. Put another way, it’s around the same size as other phones, but the screen is similar to that of an iPad Mini. That means a better gaming and video streaming experience, not to mention improved multitasking.

Lenovo’s first foldable laptop is just a prototype, but the benefits are similar. Imagine a laptop with a 13.3-inch screen that you can fold into the size of a compact Moleskine notebook. That’s precisely how the ThinkPad X1 foldable prototype works. When it’s folded up, it’s just 9.6 inches and looks like a paper notebook. A pen even attaches to the outside.

The exterior also feels like a leather-bound book, much like the HP Spectre Folio. The edge has a bit of glass peeking through, but that disappears from view as the device is unfolded. The laptop is a little heavy, so I don’t imagine using it one-handed will be comfortable for long periods of time, but it’s perfectly manageable with two hands — like a heavy book.

There are a few ways to use this foldable laptop. You can unfold it completely and use the built-in kickstand on the rear to keep the screen standing up, then connect a Bluetooth keyboard to the device to use it like a traditional laptop. We know a Bluetooth keyboard will come with the final product, but it’s unclear if there will be a way to store it conveniently.

The second method doesn’t require an external keyboard at all. Just fold the screen halfway, and place it down on a table, like in the image below.

You’ll be able to use the bottom half as a virtual keyboard for typing. Lenovo only had a demo keyboard to show, and I didn’t get a chance to type on it just yet. I don’t imagine it feels nice, but it might be acceptable in short bursts.  While you’ll have a smaller screen to work on, it’s far easier to use this setup in cramped spaces like on a flight.

Unfolding the laptop is not as smooth as unfolding the Samsung Galaxy Fold — it requires a little more force — and this setup is why. A more rigid torque hinge helps the laptop keep its form so that it can continue to be used in this mode. It’s also why the battery is in the right side of the screen (bottom half in this mode), so that the laptop won’t be top heavy and can be weighed down.

You can also hold the device like a table, of course, and since it’s a touchscreen, you’ll be able to use it as you would any iPad. The attached stylus can be used for super-accurate touch input or for virtual ink.

This laptop is built for travelers who need to work on the go. Replace your cumbersome laptop for this, and you’ll save space in your backpack. It may just replace your tablet, too.

The crease, and worries about durability

The OLED screen looked attractive, with punchy colors, but it did pick up more glare than I’d like. Like the Galaxy Fold, the screen feels laminated because it’s not glass protecting it, but polymer. The screen is made by LG display, and it has a 2K screen resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

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One big worry people have with foldable products is the crease on the screen. All things that fold typically have a crease; the Samsung Galaxy Fold is no different, and the same is true for Lenovo’s prototype. The crease is visible when looking at the device from different angles, but stare directly at the screen and it’s harder to see it. It’s not as obvious as the crease on Samsung’s phone.

Lenovo says it’s doubling the number of hinge cycles it tests for its laptops, so that it can prove the foldable mechanism won’t wear down over time. Because it is under the ThinkPad name, Lenovo said the product will still need to pass its “rigorous” testing to ensure it’s just as durable. All of this is hard to prove at the moment, so we’ll have to wait for the laptop to release to test its long-term usability.

The software

This is a Windows-based device, and Lenovo is working with Microsoft to make sure the software experience is optimized for this foldable format. This is the part I’m looking forward to seeing the most, because while the hardware can be strong, the software needs to be perfect to ensure a smooth experience. Swapping to different modes needs to be seamless, and Windows needs to improve its tablet and touch interface to add value to this product.

Lenovo didn’t have much to share in terms of software features, so I expect this is still under heavy development.

What else do we know?

We know there will be a Bluetooth keyboard included, as well as a stylus from Wacom. It has stereo speakers, an infrared camera, and two USB-C ports. Lenovo also said it will offer an “all-day battery,” but there are no concrete numbers, so we’ll just have to wait and see. We also know this device will be powered by an Intel processor.

Price and availability

We don’t know how much the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 foldable laptop will cost, but it will arrive at some point in 2020. That’s not too far off.

Expect to see more foldable products launching from various manufacturers over the course of the next year. We’re finally starting to see some drastic, physical changes to products that have stayed relatively static for some time now, and that’s undeniably exciting.

• Samsung reportedly wants to be the foldable display supplier to Apple and Google
• Wrap it or bend it. TCL’s foldable concept phones can put a screen in any format

If you have an automatic garage door opener, you probably don’t think about it much. You push a remote control button, and the bay door lifts up. You push it again, and it closes. All is good in the world.

That is, until you’re at work, and you can’t remember whether you tapped the close button on your remote control after you pulled your car out of the garage. Then panic sets in. You take stock of all the things that garage pirates could wheel out in a jiffy — bikes, the lawn mower, a pressure washer, you name it. You begin thinking of ways to be able to leave work early while frantically texting your neighbor to see if they happen to be home so that they can check for you.

But instead of panicking, what if you could just check the status of your garage door from an app on your phone, and then close it if it’s open?

Chamberlain now offers garage door openers that let you do that very thing, and the peace of mind they provide is glorious. I had a chance to test out the B1381 ($338), which not only offers a corresponding app that you can use as an additional remote control for your garage door, but also lets you have Amazon packages delivered inside your garage via Key by Amazon (more on that later). Here are some of my thoughts about the Chamberlain opener.

Bright lights, smooth rolling

The garage door opener, which you’ll most likely need to have professionally installed, comes with the overhead light and motor, a keypad, sensors, two small remote controls for your car or wherever, and a controller that you mount on the wall inside the garage. All in all, it took a professional about two hours to swap out my old system for the new one.

One thing I noticed about the new system right away is that the LED light system makes my single-car garage brighter than ever. While most garage door openers emit a dark, depressing, almost creepy light, the B1381 brings a bright splash of light to the entire garage, making a second light unnecessary when looking for something or working on a project.

The second thing I noticed is how quiet and smooth the opener is. I didn’t think our old opener was loud until it was swapped out. If you own a home with a bedroom next to a garage and it’s noisy, it might be worth your while to make the swap.

Lastly, it should be noted that the garage door has a battery backup that allows you to open the door even when the power is down, which is a nice feature.

There’s an app for that

Beyond how quiet and bright the system is, my favorite thing about the garage door opener is that I can use my phone as a remote control. More than once, my son requested his bike out of the garage while I was inside the house. No problem — I just opened the app on my phone and opened the door for him (he’s too short to reach the keypad). I closed it the same way.

The app also allows you to set up alerts, so you can be notified if the door has been open for a long time, and set it up so that you can automatically close the door on a reoccurring schedule.

No more porch pirates

Are you an Amazon Prime member wh’s terrified of porch pirates? You’ll dig this, then: Chamberlain’s B1381 garage door opener connects to the Key By Amazon app, which allows delivery people to leave packages inside your garage and then close it up and leave.

Here’s how it works: You connect your garage door opener to the MyQ app, then download the Key By Amazon app. Log in to your Amazon Prime account, and from there you can follow steps to get a package delivered inside your garage. When you order stuff from Amazon, an “in-garage delivery” option will show during shipping preferences. You’ll be able to monitor progress of the delivery through the app.

One caveat

If there’s one negative about Chamberlain’s garage door opener (or any smart garage door opener, really), it’s that home Wi-Fi is typically weak in the garage. In order to use the app and the Key By Amazon service, you’ll most definitely need a range extender. While you can get one for between $20 and 30, we wish the garage door opener just came with one in the first place. I had trouble keeping the door connected at all until I added a range extender, but even after I did, connectivity dropped from time to time.

Overall, though, Chamberlain’s newest offering helps you make sure your garage door opens when you want and shuts when you want. Nifty, indeed.

• Amazon chops price on smart garage door opener remote for Alexa
• You can now have your Amazon packages delivered in your garage
• Tired of porch pirates? Amazon now lets you schedule your package delivery

Today’s marketers are in a whole new world, as technology allows you to gather fresh leads online while also improving customer retention. However, poorly designed email campaigns damage reputations and send pitches straight to the spam folder. 

Many newbies (and even seasoned marketers) commit common faux pas when deploying emails.

Avoid making 10 of the following common email marketing mistakes to get more people to open your messages and, more importantly, take action that results in increased revenue.

1. Penning Poor Subject Lines 

We all receive a ton of email. As a result, many readers simply scan each email subject line for mere microseconds before performing a mass deletion of unwanted sales pitches.

Everyone has seen grandiose subject lines promising the reader they can drop 20 pounds in two weeks or generate six-figure incomes within the next month. Hyped-up email subjects scream spam, and readers often mark them as such to marketers’ dismay. Even when readers avoid labeling a particular sender as spam, proclaiming the impossible makes them roll their eyes and tick the delete box.

Subject lines that compel readers to open them and take action share several characteristics:

• They don’t trick people into opening — they provide value
• They’re short, sweet and to the point
• They focus on the subject while avoiding fluff and filler words
• They’re professional sounding, not sensational
• They’re personalized
• They avoid yelling at the reader in all caps

Busy professionals eschew emails whose subject lines offer no perceived value. Emails deleted unopened due to lackluster titles waste marketers’ time while creating no additional revenue for their efforts.

2. Failing to Utilize Message Previews

Most email programs feature previews that briefly introduce readers to the topics covered in the correspondence. The email preview works a bit like a lead in a news story: Readers want to know if the rest of the content will make for worthwhile reading. 

Just as the first line of an article needs to grab the readers’ interest, message previews let prospects know if they want to read further.

Keep this one rule in mind: The first line of any email ranks highest in attention to quality. Even if the content that follows the first line resembles direct mail on par with David Ogilvy’s creative talent, words no one reads sell no products or services.

3. Not Letting Readers Reply 

No one looks forward to email correspondence from their apparent good friend named Do Not Reply. Emails that fail to let readers respond and ask any questions they may have lead them to look for more personable organizations to conduct business with. An email from Marisol.Martinez@mybusiness.com gets opened more often than those from an anonymous “Contact.”

Always provide readers with a way to get in touch. If allowing replies grows too overwhelming, integrate a “Contact Us” link that leads potential clients to a well-designed landing page where they can pose inquiries or request further info. 

Such pages can also capture additional information from prospects — for example, real estate agents can require contacts to indicate their timeline for buying or selling a home.

4. Coming Across As Shady 

Readers today avoid opening emails that contain even a hint of a phishing scam for good reason. Far too many have already fallen prey to scams, while others have read of the dangers in the media. Once a company gains a reputation for misleading marketing messages, repairing the damage can take years, if it happens at all.

Avoid too much hyperbole in email campaigns. Always keep the tone professional and courteous, and go the extra mile by including a privacy notice in each email letting readers know how to unsubscribe. 

While no marketer wants to lose even one prospect, the consequences of gaining a reputation as an untrustworthy organization impacts revenue more than a handful of folks unsubscribing for their own personal reasons.

5. Going Crazy With Graphics and Stock Photos 

Many consumers today own computers capable of loading image-heavy content quickly, but designing a campaign around nothing but graphics alienates readers and makes the correspondence appear irrelevant. 

While the correct use of charts and highlighted sale graphics can increase conversion rates, consider them the spices you add to the main dish of quality content. A little goes a long way, and too much spoils the entire meal.

6. Falling Out of Touch 

Far too many marketers either grind too hard with unwanted emails or neglect keeping up contact altogether after launching one or two successful campaigns. 

As much as some may love your informative content, letting too much time pass between correspondence distracts their attention elsewhere, and bombarding readers with daily emails when they’ve only signed up for a monthly newsletter exasperates otherwise loyal followers.

Ideally, allow site visitors to indicate their desired update frequency when signing up, and honor their wishes. Automate emails to send at regular intervals even while on vacation or leave to avoid communication gaps.

7. Neglecting Mobile Users 

Almost all Americans now own cellphones, and 77 percent utilize smart devices daily. Failing to tailor email campaigns to load properly in iPhone windows results in lost customers and income.

Always beta test email campaigns across a variety of devices to eliminate quality and load time issues. While marketers cannot completely control speed issues caused by older devices or poor network quality, they can design layouts that allow the majority of users to view their content more quickly.

8. Failing to Track Campaigns

Email campaigns need to incorporate tracking programs to identify what messages get potential customers to take action and which ones get sent straight to the computerized recycling bin. Establish a tracking system to continually improve marketing measures and increase conversion rates.

Many CRM software systems include email tracking tools, and savvy marketers utilize the full suite to evaluate campaign effectiveness. It also allows them to target those customers most likely to open their correspondence and entice them with special offers to grow sales.

9. Not Pruning the Branches

Keeping paying customers coming back for more content shares importance with avoiding wasting time on those who never open emails, or worse, report them as spam. Evaluate your customer list on a quarterly basis and delete contacts who never convert.

While eliminating leads seems a dangerous proposition to many marketers, in the long run, those who focus primarily on engaged customers reap higher returns on their email campaign investment. Email unsubscribes are actually a good thing. Each subscriber costs a bit of money, and while the individual amount may seem small, why waste a dime on customers who consistently delete carefully crafted messages?

10. Forgetting a Call to Action 

The most important aspect of email marketing campaigns is getting readers to take action and invest in products and services. Effective calls to action focus on the customer, not the product.

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Effective calls to action focus on the customer, not the product.
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Create calls to action that center on readers’ needs. Do they need more time in the day? Are they researching the best tax software to prepare a return with several Schedule Cs? Offer solutions without relying on hyperbolic claims.

Creating Email Campaigns That Sell 

Email offers an inexpensive way to reach prospective customers, but ill-designed campaigns give would-be clients the impression that a business only wants to take their money while offering little value in return. 

Successful campaigns keep customer needs paramount when scripting marketing content and offer real solutions to everyday problems without promising the moon. 

By avoiding common mistakes, marketers can target their audience far more effectively than they can with traditional radio and TV spots alone.

The post 10 Email Marketing Mistakes You’re Making — How to Avoid Them appeared first on Convince and Convert: Social Media Consulting and Content Marketing Consulting.