Google Docs is a collaboration site for users to post, share, and create word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, and PDF files. I have used Google Docs in the past to work on a resume with the aid of someone else. It was very useful to have the updates happen and be able to view them without having to email back and forth. I think Google has done a good job of making a useful tool for basic office tasks, that doesn't have Microsoft's stamp on the site. More and more, professors in online courses have encouraged me to use this tool, which has indeed come in handy.
Google Docs is meant to be a one stop office suite which can be accessed anywhere. It allows users to download all files in their most popular of forms, including OpenOffice and Microsoft standards. Users can store up to 1GB for free on the site or pay $5 for 20 GB or $20 for 80GB per year. It is a very good deal for those who use the site often enough to warrant an upgrade in space. The site could also be solely used as a backup service for documents similar to DropBox, but with the option of editing and collaborating with others.
A business could sign up new hires instantly with a Google username so that they are more encouraged to use Google Docs. Also, since a business may also have its own backup solution, it could used only as a collaboration tool. For small businesses looking for inexpensive backup options, Google Docs could be the way to go. The site's Wikipedia page also mentions offline versions of Google Docs coming in the future, which could save businesses a lot of money in licensing to Microsoft for office products. This could change the way Microsoft handles the pricing and packaging of their office suite.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wikipedia - My thoughts, its purpose, and business uses.
Wikipedia is a go-to site for me when researching a topic. Often, when I find something on Wikipedia, the article will have all the information I need in order to complete an assignment or just learn more about a certain topic. In high school, we were banned from using Wikipedia as a source for any papers we wrote. While it is understandable that the idea of "user submitted" information can be incorrect, Wikipedia is usually pretty good at verifying sources. For example, instead of actually citing Wikipedia as a source, I would look at the in line citation in the article, then find that source at the bottom of the page and use that as my source. I enjoy the fact that Wikipedia is a threshold of information that anyone can contribute to, from school kids to research teams at a University. As long as the information is correct, it will stay up. I think this gives the site a kind of "soul", like it's not just one persons thoughts and ideas flowing, but instead, a collective knowledge at our fingertips. To show how easy it is to create a login ID and a wiki page, I have don just that, and uploaded it here.
The purpose of Wikipedia is to be a collaboration tool for everyone and anyone who is willing to share their knowledge about any topic. While some people may contribute false information in order to prove how people shouldn't use Wikipedia; if the site is used properly, it can be an invaluable resource for information seekers.The site also verifies information submitted through sources provided by the user. Also, if people constantly are spamming the site with false information, their IP can be blocked and anyone on that IP will no longer be allowed to edit on Wikipedia. A funny story about that, my high school librarian was trying to prove a point and ended up getting the whole school blocked from editing Wikipedia pages, which was humorous to me, because she kept submitting false information as examples.
A business can use a Wikipedia page for project collaboration, social messages, logs, and many other uses. Since Wikipedia is free businesses should also use it to save on expenditures for similar software packages. While outside users may be able to see their information and even edit it, the site should not be a primary source, but can be used for simple message board posts. Overall, Wikipedia is a fantastic tool when used properly and has many possibilities for information and knowledge sharing.
The purpose of Wikipedia is to be a collaboration tool for everyone and anyone who is willing to share their knowledge about any topic. While some people may contribute false information in order to prove how people shouldn't use Wikipedia; if the site is used properly, it can be an invaluable resource for information seekers.The site also verifies information submitted through sources provided by the user. Also, if people constantly are spamming the site with false information, their IP can be blocked and anyone on that IP will no longer be allowed to edit on Wikipedia. A funny story about that, my high school librarian was trying to prove a point and ended up getting the whole school blocked from editing Wikipedia pages, which was humorous to me, because she kept submitting false information as examples.
A business can use a Wikipedia page for project collaboration, social messages, logs, and many other uses. Since Wikipedia is free businesses should also use it to save on expenditures for similar software packages. While outside users may be able to see their information and even edit it, the site should not be a primary source, but can be used for simple message board posts. Overall, Wikipedia is a fantastic tool when used properly and has many possibilities for information and knowledge sharing.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Youtube - My thoughts, its purpose, and business uses
Youtube is a video sharing site where users can upload, view, and comment on videos. I personally love Youtube. If there is a video on the web, which isn't illegal, Youtube probably has it. I often will search the site for a video before I even think of going to Google. Many people also like to use Youtube for playing music, since many music videos are hosted on the site. To me, Youtube isn't trying to be a social network. While I understand that it has some aspect of a social site, such as subscribing and messaging, it is concentrated on videos, and I think it does a superb job.
Youtube's purpose is to host user uploaded videos. Simple as that. The site was purchased by Google and has only gotten larger since then and has expanded its viewing features. Originally all videos were in SD, but now videos can be viewed in 1080p or even higher when available. To me, a service that is as reliable and as good of quality as Youtube is a definite bookmark.
A business could use Youtube to show off a new product with description. For example, my previous internship was with a door manufacturer and they had many videos that instead of sending a customer a pamphlet or dvd video, they would simply ask if they had the internet and then point them to the proper video. Youtube can also help or hurt businesses by listing user reviews of the product under the video (even though this feature can be disabled). Businesses could also respond to user's questions by having the customer showing on their own Youtube channel how they are using a product and perhaps having the company respond with a video showing proper use or installation. There are many possibilities for business application for Youtube, and the possibilities can only grow over time.
To show the ease of Youtube, I uploaded a horribly done video from an accounting project my sophomore year.... here you go.
Youtube's purpose is to host user uploaded videos. Simple as that. The site was purchased by Google and has only gotten larger since then and has expanded its viewing features. Originally all videos were in SD, but now videos can be viewed in 1080p or even higher when available. To me, a service that is as reliable and as good of quality as Youtube is a definite bookmark.
A business could use Youtube to show off a new product with description. For example, my previous internship was with a door manufacturer and they had many videos that instead of sending a customer a pamphlet or dvd video, they would simply ask if they had the internet and then point them to the proper video. Youtube can also help or hurt businesses by listing user reviews of the product under the video (even though this feature can be disabled). Businesses could also respond to user's questions by having the customer showing on their own Youtube channel how they are using a product and perhaps having the company respond with a video showing proper use or installation. There are many possibilities for business application for Youtube, and the possibilities can only grow over time.
To show the ease of Youtube, I uploaded a horribly done video from an accounting project my sophomore year.... here you go.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Facebook: My thoughts, its purpose, and business uses.
Facebook is a social networking site that aims to put your face on the web. Back in the day I was on Myspace, as were many of my friends. As I got older and Myspace seemed to be riddled with ads, I decided to close my account since I never visited it anymore. The first time I saw Facebook was when my sister, who was in college at the time, was able to get an account because she had a ".edu" email address to register. At the time, I remember I could not create an account due to that fact. Once I was in high school it opened up to more people and I created account. Ever since then, I have had the same account and just upgraded my contact email to reflect my bgsu.edu address.
To me Facebook is how I connect to my friends and family. I usually will contact them through the site before I email them. I enjoy using the site and the fact that the site updates often with new features, even though some users despise the fact.
The purpose of Facebook, as I mentioned, is to make our social lives, online. When people go to a party, they can relive the moments of the party, they may or may not remember, on Facebook the next morning. Events can be planned with friends or the public and people can even sell items on Facebook's Marketplace. Chat functionality keeps people who choose to have their presence shown online in contact, and a messaging function is also available.
Businesses can use Facebook like any other person would. They can schedule events, advertise sales promotions, show their products, interact with customers, and even chat with them one on one. While at my previous internship at Therma-Tru Doors, in Maumee, Ohio, the company rolled out their own Facebook page to advertise and keep in contact with customers and employees. Therma-Tru also utilizes Facebook to inform the public of its history and has an invitation to its main site to learn more. To see their site you can follow the link here.
To me Facebook is how I connect to my friends and family. I usually will contact them through the site before I email them. I enjoy using the site and the fact that the site updates often with new features, even though some users despise the fact.
The purpose of Facebook, as I mentioned, is to make our social lives, online. When people go to a party, they can relive the moments of the party, they may or may not remember, on Facebook the next morning. Events can be planned with friends or the public and people can even sell items on Facebook's Marketplace. Chat functionality keeps people who choose to have their presence shown online in contact, and a messaging function is also available.
Businesses can use Facebook like any other person would. They can schedule events, advertise sales promotions, show their products, interact with customers, and even chat with them one on one. While at my previous internship at Therma-Tru Doors, in Maumee, Ohio, the company rolled out their own Facebook page to advertise and keep in contact with customers and employees. Therma-Tru also utilizes Facebook to inform the public of its history and has an invitation to its main site to learn more. To see their site you can follow the link here.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Twitter - My thoughts, its purpose, and business uses.
Twitter allows users to send a read messages of others of up to 140 characters. These messages are not long and are not intended to convey much information. The messages sent out by users are called tweets, in relation to the sound a bird makes, which is short and quick. My experience with the service so far is mixed. When twitter first came out I signed up for the service when I saw a positive post about the site on Digg. However, at that time, none of my friends really used the service so it was kind of pointless for me. When I created a new account, I noticed how easy it was to follow those you know, keep them updated on what you are doing, see what they are doing, and post little messages for everyone to read. I also enjoy how simplistic the site is in design. It has large buttons, is easy to read, and is self-explanatory.
The purpose of twitter is to provide users with a way to converge their current social networks. In a, one tweet can replace IM away messages, location statuses, and light blogging. While twitter cannot replace full-scale blogging sites, like blogger.com, it isn't trying to. The site, and its users, seem content with twitter and its features. While twitter does server its purposes of enabling people to send simple messages to those that follow them, some may find the service pointless. Other sites, such as facebook, implemented similar status updates in their site after twitter gained popularity on the web.
I think twitter is best for small businesses. It can help start-ups or small businesses establish relationships with customers. If customers have easy questions for the company, the company could just reply with @customer's name. This gives the company a personal feel and that's what people want. They like to know that they are listened to and by directly responding to a tweet, the customer would know they are being heard. Another use for a business could be a custom catering or other custom service. A customer could tweet a last minute request and those monitoring the twitter site within the company could quickly make the change, all without the need for a phone call and possibly being put on hold and wasting the customer's time. Overall, twitter is useful for both customers and businesses wishing to communicate quickly and effectively with each other.
The purpose of twitter is to provide users with a way to converge their current social networks. In a, one tweet can replace IM away messages, location statuses, and light blogging. While twitter cannot replace full-scale blogging sites, like blogger.com, it isn't trying to. The site, and its users, seem content with twitter and its features. While twitter does server its purposes of enabling people to send simple messages to those that follow them, some may find the service pointless. Other sites, such as facebook, implemented similar status updates in their site after twitter gained popularity on the web.
I think twitter is best for small businesses. It can help start-ups or small businesses establish relationships with customers. If customers have easy questions for the company, the company could just reply with @customer's name. This gives the company a personal feel and that's what people want. They like to know that they are listened to and by directly responding to a tweet, the customer would know they are being heard. Another use for a business could be a custom catering or other custom service. A customer could tweet a last minute request and those monitoring the twitter site within the company could quickly make the change, all without the need for a phone call and possibly being put on hold and wasting the customer's time. Overall, twitter is useful for both customers and businesses wishing to communicate quickly and effectively with each other.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Blogger - My thoughts, its purpose, and business uses.
Blogger is a service which allows its users to post messages for free and provides public links for others to read. I personally have never blogged. I have in the past used a site called SquareSpace, which helps users launch ready made websites which can include a blog as an option but I only did that to play around with the technology. Blogger seems like a fairly straightforward service, as its name implies. It has some templates available, as I have applied to my blog. Overall, I find the service very easy to use, which is good as I will be utilizing it over the course of the next few weeks.
Blogger's purpose is simple. Allow its users to empty their thoughts onto a simple and easy platform and allow others to read their thoughts. According to Wikipedia, some features of the site were originally fee based. After Google acquired Blogger.com's creator, Pyra Labs, Google allowed all features to be used free of charge. The purpose of that move was to encourage more people to use their service. Blogger also offers a "Monetize" option. This can be beneficial for those who may have many readers, to generate revenue for them.
Blogger could be crucial for small businesses and large alike. Small businesses could keep a blog to help establish and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers. Large businesses can also benefit by being able to easily communicate official messages to the public in a quickly and with great ease. People may also implement a blog on Blogger in order to test out a new idea and possibly build a customer base by taking suggestions or even finding potential partners through other blogger's interests.
Blogger's purpose is simple. Allow its users to empty their thoughts onto a simple and easy platform and allow others to read their thoughts. According to Wikipedia, some features of the site were originally fee based. After Google acquired Blogger.com's creator, Pyra Labs, Google allowed all features to be used free of charge. The purpose of that move was to encourage more people to use their service. Blogger also offers a "Monetize" option. This can be beneficial for those who may have many readers, to generate revenue for them.
Blogger could be crucial for small businesses and large alike. Small businesses could keep a blog to help establish and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers. Large businesses can also benefit by being able to easily communicate official messages to the public in a quickly and with great ease. People may also implement a blog on Blogger in order to test out a new idea and possibly build a customer base by taking suggestions or even finding potential partners through other blogger's interests.
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