Word processing, spreadsheets, calendars, presentations, project management, and web conferencing are all examples of productivity software. Online versions offer many of the same features, yet are quite different from what is installed on your computer. How so?
The online software we're looking at today is quite inexpensive - it's free. There is a reason for this - it doesn't do nearly as much as the software installed on your computer. The core features you see in Google Docs and Zoho match up surprisingly well. No installation of software is required. All you need is a web browser and an internet connection.
Zoho and Google Docs are a suite of online applications (services) that you sign up for and access from their Websites. The applications are free for individuals and some have a subscription fee for organizations. While using either Zoho or Google Docs your documents and data are securely stored online and can be accessed from anywhere using your password. This means as long as you have Internet access you can access your Zoho and Google Docs data from any computer without the hassle of bringing your computer with you. In addition, they help people collaborate on projects and share information with a simple mouse click. For example, in Zoho Writer, there are several ways to share documents in private, make them public or even perform collaborative editing in real time.
Collaboration
It's much easier to work on projects with others - colleagues, community group members, family, friends, whomever. Say, for example, you are working with your colleagues in a number of institutions. You post the first draft of a letter or a report, your colleagues make edits or add text to the document, and you bring the completed letter or report to your next meeting. The shared workspace means that no one is accidentally looking at an out-of-date version of the document. Watch this video to find out how Google Docs works.
Watch Google Apps Overview. Notice that this presentation has been created using SlideShare.
Google Apps Overview
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Sharing presentations
Sharing presentations and slideshows is easy using Slideshare. Upload and share your PowerPoint presentations, Word documents and Adobe PDF Portfolios on SlideShare. Share publicly or privately. Add audio to make a slidecast.
Myplick - Upload your slides, sync with audio, and share with your friends. Myplick is a free service that lets you share, embed and discover presentations and slide shows online. You can upload your presentation documents in a variety of formats such as powerpoint, pdf, openoffice odp, etc. If you need to add narration or sound effect to your presentation, you can upload an audio file and have the option to synchronize the audio with your slides using our online easy-to-use sync tool. Once a presentation is made, you will have the choice to either publicly share with everyone or only share it within a small private group. You will also be able to find out how users are viewing your plick, for example, how much time people stayed on each slide. User feedbacks and statistics like this will help you to improve your presentation making skills.
File converting
Have you ever wanted to convert files without the need to download software? Converting file formats is easy at Zamzar. For example you can convert a document to a pdf file.
Web conferencing
Web conferencing apps which allow a presenter to host a Webinar or meeting with live video and audio, text chat, whiteboards, shared files, and even desktop sharing offer numerous opportunities for collaboration, online training, and remote assistance. While many of these programs are costly, a new range of free Web conferencing applications have emerged which offer alternatives to traditional online meeting programs such as WebEx and Saba Centra.
Librarians could use these free applications for holding meetings between branches, reference consultations, library instruction, hosting their own Webinars, conducting live interviews, or collaborating with remote team members on projects.
Dimdim is a free, open source live meeting software which offers audio and video conferencing and lets hosts share their desktop with attendees. This application requires no download or installation for meeting participants and can be used with up to 20 people with the free version. Dimdim offers whiteboards and both public and private chat options.
Yugma is a Web conferencing application which allows a presenter to share their desktop with conference attendees in order to demonstrate, share, or collaborate on projects. The free, personal version of Yugma enables conferencing with up to 10 people along with an IM chat interface within sessions. Professional accounts can record sessions, share files, change presenters, and share mouse and keyboard controls. The Skype edition integrates with the VOIP application and includes the users’ Skype contact list.
Explore: Look at this slide show created by Princeton Public Library using Slideshare for some more examples of free online productivity tools. Search Slideshare to find presentations on Library 2.0.
Fab Freebies for Productivity
Fab Freebies for Productivity
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Discover: Using your gmail or Google account log into Google Docs and create a document. Share it with us at L2TD@slq.qld.gov.au - in the document please let us know your real name so we can credit this to you. In your blog consider possible applications for this in your work.
Adventure (optional): Set up a Zoho account and compare it to Google Docs.
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