Communication

"Communication" I consider as interactive in nature rather than "presentation" which is essentially one-way.

Name	Comments
Box.Net	What it Does: Online File Storage - Useful for sharing files Runs on: Web Free Best Feature: Easy sharing of files between groups. Worst Feature: Limited storage and download without having to pay Learning Time: Minutes --- Export/Import: Good My use: Test Only --- Confidence in Evaluation: Medium Comment: I recommend this to students in classes where I require them to work in groups. Communication note: To ehnance group projects. Review & Comments about Box.Net in Academic Tools Blog
CmapTools	What it Does: Concept relationships - Useful in group situation Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: Public server allowing group projects. Worst Feature: Initially difficult to see how powerful it is. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Infrequent --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: I have used it quite successfully in several courses. It was particularly helpful in promoting class interaction. Communication note: Allows group development
GMail	What it Does: Online EMail account Runs on: Web Free Best Feature: Superior search and spam filter. Worst Feature: More spam because it's GMail. Immediately Useful: Yes --- Learning Time: Half Hour --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: You can redirect other EMail accounts here. It's also easy to create on-the-fly sub-accounts by using the "accountid+subaccount@gmail" email ID.
MS Outlook	What it Does: The standard corporate Email/task/calendar/contact program Runs on: PC, Mac Drexel Site License Best Feature: Integration of Email and tasks. Worst Feature: Corporate backup is atrocious. I've had a colleague lose vital emails thanks to MS incompetence. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Medium My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: I use it every day - but enhance it with Neo - and am sure to backup my own local data (PST) files.
Skype	What it Does: Telephone and video over web (VOIP) Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux - Uses Web Free Best Feature: Very low cost calls Worst Feature: Not as easy as the phone yet. Learning Time: Half Hour --- Comment: There are many competitors. The field is changing rapdily. Skype certifies hardware.
Thunderbird EMail	What it Does: EMail client Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free, Open Source Best Feature: Clean interface and search Worst Feature: It doesn't connect to outlook Learning Time: Half Hour --- My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: A good EMail client that is being constantly improved. Firefox's sibling. I currently use GMail and my wife uses Thunderbird.

 

 

Update: 2006-11-26