Web 2.0 - Online Productivity Tools

Have you heard of "Web 2.0"?

Maybe, and you're wondering what all means.

Maybe not, and you're wondering if it's just one more web-related thing that's leaving your eyes crossed and mind confused.

Rest assured, Web 2.0 is not meant to scare you--it's meant to help! Lots of amazing, brilliant people around this world have been developing useful, FREE tools for you to use on the Internet--tools like office software, web storage spaces, and other free programs. These comprise just some of the amazing applications currently known as Web 2.0.

Want to know more? For an interesting take on what it all means, watch the move below (click on the play button in the lower left-hand corner of the viewer to watch the movie while staying at this website; clicking the large play button in the center will take you to You Tube directly):

What can I use right now?

Bookmarking Websites

1. What is the purpose? Bookmarking websites allow you to keep track of all the great things you've found on the Internet--no matter where you are! Normally, you might do this using the Favorites button in your browser; but that means you have to be at YOUR computer and in YOUR browser to see those bookmarks. Bookmarking websites allow you to sign-up and save a page of bookmarks that you can access from any computer, anywhere in the world!
2. How do they work? A user must sign-up, providing an e-mail address, username, and password--but that's it! After that, just find a website, add a link and perhaps a short description, and you are all set. The link will be there for you to access next time you log-in to the bookmarking website.
3. Examples
   Portaportal: http://www.portaportal.com/
   Del.ico.us: http://del.ico.us/
   Furl: http://www.furl.net/
   Digg: http://www.digg.com/

Web-based Storage Solutions

1. What is it? A flash drive that lives on the Internet. Think of how many times you've looked around for your disk, flash drive, CD-ROM...only to find that it's gone. And there was a REALLY important file on it, that you needed right away. Web-based storage allows you to safely and securely store files (of limited size) online, so that (again) you can access them from any computer, anywhere in the world. These files can be private, so no one else can see or access them; alternately, you can make them public, to share with the world if you are exceptionally proud!
2. How does it work? Same as above--you need an e-mail address, username, and password, but that's all. Once you log-in, you've got a storage area to upload and download files galore.
3. Examples
   Thinkfree: http://www.thinkfree.com/
   Dropload: http://www.dropload.com/

Alternative Office Solutions

1. What is it? Sick of Microsoft? Don't have it on your computer? Just want to try something different? Online productivity software gives you the ability to create documents, presentations and spreadsheets without using traditional software programs. The files you create can be read by most application software. Best of all, it's online and free, so you don't have to install anything on your computer, at home or at school!
2. How does it work? You sign-up (do we see a pattern?) and log-in. You can then launch web-based applications that allow you to make files with the same formatting and functionality you would expect in your standard applications.
3. Examples
   OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org/
   ZohoWriter: http://writer.zoho.com/jsp/home.jsp
   GoogleDocs: http://docs.google.com/

Things to remember

1. There are benefits and drawbacks to using each; weigh your needs and consider what you want out of each tool. Take a tour and look at each thoroughly before you decide what to sign-up for.
2. Web-based means you must have an active Internet connection to use these tools!