There, there, mike. Do you realize how offensive your comment seems?
Yes, I use google translate a lot and for some reason you make sound like it's something one should be ashamed of using. Or am I wrong?
When you're studying any language in an intermediate level, like myself, it is a really good start to have the text translated in google and then afterwards correct it from all grammar mistakes and so on. I learned quite a bunch of new words and patterns by using this method along with the electonic dictionary rikai-kun. It's indeed quite effective even though google translate is often not too precise and correct, especially when dealing with a tough language like Japanese.