By Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
In Part I of this article, we discussed the benefits of web-based software and the potential cost-savings. Instead of purchasing Microsoft Office, for example, you can use Zoho's full suite of web-based applications for free. The cost savings multiply when you start going to more specialized applications, such as project management, concept-mapping, sketch, and web-conferencing, which we review here, in Part II. What is also nice is that if you have a team and each member needs to have access, you do not have to worry about hosting all the software on your own intranet. This also avoids the problem of needing thin-client software to allow remote access to a server (secure or otherwise).
Although using web-based software can have the disadvantage of requiring you to be connected to the Internet, and it can be slower than software installed on your computer, there are some significant benefits. The first is the fact that you can access your information from any computer at any time. The second is that you can collaborate easily and conveniently with distributed teams. Another very critical benefit is the fact that you can back up your work and rely on a server that is less likely to crash than your own personal computer. Now, this definitely brings to mind a critical caveat: if the server is having issues, you could be very vulnerable.
Photo Editing
Phixr: http://www.phixr.com
This is a very easy-to-use program that allows you to optimize your photos and to post directly to myspace, livejournal, and other locations that allow others to view your photos.
Picasa: http://www.picasa.com
Earlier versions of Picasa were much less headache. The newest version is slower than earlier ones.
Snipshot: http://www.snipshot.com
Very easy to use, and integrates with Facebook and bebo, which in turn integrate with MySpace. Instead of focusing on productivity, this web-based application focuses on social networks and communities. It does not have all the functionality of phixr.
Sketch
AjaxSketch: http://www.ajax13.com
This is a useful program that allows you to create basic sketch and to edit imported images. You can save to jpeg and other universally used formats.
Technical Diagrams
Gliffy: http://gliffy.com/
Gliffy allows you to draw and share diagrams on the web. While other products allow one to create basic diagrams, Gliffy is more flexible, and more appropriate for developing flowcharts for teams and processes, and for creating images for co-authored articles and papers. It is also effective for concept mapping.
Mind-Mapping Software
Mindomo.com http://www.mindomo.com
This online mind-mapping tool is free, web-based software that is very easy to use. It would be perfect for brainstorming, creative problem-solving, and for clustering for use in presentations.
Mindmeister http://www.mindmeister.com
Mindmeister emphasizes collaborative mind-mapping, which is ideal in cases of distributed projects, brainstorming, and creative problem-solving across distances.
Music Players
AjaxTunes: http://www.ajaxtunes.com
This is a handy little player (jukebox style) that links you to mp3tunes.com, where you can create a locker.
Mp3 storage at Oboe / mp3tunes.com: http://www.mp3tunes.com
Unlimited (with the premium version) storage of mp3 files.
Polls or Ratings
Zoho Polls http://polls.zoho.com
Very easy to set up and use. It does not have a number of display options, but is useful, nonetheless.
Poll Genius: http://pollgenius.com/
Pollgenius allows you to share the results of your polls online. In my opinion, this is an excellent add-on for a blog or a social network space, such as livejournal or myspace. It can also be used with online classes, to encourage participation and collaboration. You may wish to survey or poll your classmates as a part of a project, which would be very easy to do in this case. You can set up a poll, then put a link in a discussion post or an e-mail to classmates.
Group Chat
Skype.com
Skype has not yet made its way to mobile devices. However, the video chat capabilities are impressive, and the internet telephony / voiceover capabilities are impressive.
AOL Instant Messenger
The benefit is that one can use one’s mobile devices and it is compatible with almost everything.
Zoho Chat: http://chat.zoho.com
One of the best uses of chat is to make allow group members to make decisions and to have synchronous meetings. I could not find where one could use video conferencing, or video chat, which is definitely a drawback.
Web-Conferencing
Vyew: http://www.vyew.com
Here’s what Vyew has to say about its capabilities:
Vyew is a FREE next-generation online collaboration and web-conferencing service that brings people and content together. With Vyew you can host LIVE conferences and work collaboratively on content over time, ANYTIME.
It can be used for training as well as business conferencing, and could definitely give elluminate.com a run for its money.
[Listen to the companion podcast at:
http://community.elearners.com/blogs/inside_elearning/attachment/2680.ashx - 3.57 MB]