Tool+Shed

= Web 2.0 Tool Shed  =


 * **View each tool by __//category//__ or //__name__// by clicking on the links below.**
 * **Visit each tool website by clicking on the //__logo__// at the top of each tool description or by clicking the __//URL//__ inside the description**.

Collaborative Tools | Storage Tools | Presentation and Training Tools > Product Planner | mindmeister | OnTheRoad | zoho | writeboard | divShare | Adrive | viddler | woopid | Ustream

Collaborative Tools >  > > **Author/Publisher/Creator**: KISSmetrics > **URL**: [] > **Category** - Collaborative - Web Design > **Technical Information** - Although not explicitly noted, this tool seems to be compatible with all operating systems. It runs through the internet. All the user needs is an internet connection. This is a free tool. > **Description** - "Product Planner was born out of the need to help people understand and create user flows for their web products. The idea is that by looking at examples of other successful web products, you can get a better idea of how to create your own." > **Use** - This web 2.0 tool allows the user to discover, create, and share a web flow. By looking at other successful web products, this tool can better help me design my own web site or help a client or student by directing them to one of the many web flows already available that help with file sharing, social networking, gaming, and more. For example, if a user is unsure how to navigate Flickr (a photo sharing website), they can view a web flow on Product Planner to see how to complete the sign-up process and share their photos. I know this could also be helpful to me with web design in the future, because in my limited experience so far, I have trouble getting started and making the site user friendly and easy to navigate. The purpose of Product Planner is to simply the web design process. >

 >  > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: MeisterLabs > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: [|http://www.mindmeister.com] > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Collaborative - Mind Mapping > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web-based. Users can create and share mind maps using their mindmeister account set up through the website. They can also download the application for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - "MindMeister brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions. Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere. In brainstorming mode, fellow MindMeisters from around the world (or just in different rooms) can simultaneously work on the same mind map and see each other's changes as they happen." > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - This is a wonderful tool for a student, educator, business personnel, or anyone who wishes organize their thoughts or share information with others. The tool is very easy to use, users with an account can store up to 3 mind maps at one time for free. This is great for team projects for users to collaborate and share ideas. Maps can be saved as an image file and uploaded to web sites. More features are available to users with paid memberships. > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to top >

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: On The Road, Inc. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: @http://www.ontheroad.to/ > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Collaborative - Travel > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web-based. Users can update their travel diary via the OnTheRoad website, and publish content via email, SMS/MMS messages, or upload content directly to Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites. iPhone and Android phone applications are available. Compatible with all browsers and image file types. This tool is completely free. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - "Your friend is traveling the world. He’s not due back for a month, yet you knew when he arrived in Caro. You got to see the funny camel that spit on him. You watched a video of him swimming in the red sea. You knew when he missed his plane to the Netherlands and had a two day layover in Germany. You sent him wine tips when he needed them in Italy. You shared the sunset over the Swiss Alps. All because your friend used www.ontheroad.to. OnTheRoad is the newest online trip book that gives you the ability to share your journey every step of the way with those back home. By providing you with great tools such as an interactive map, you’re able to track your locations and plan your next destination. Easily publish photos and videos to share with your friends and family. Upload personal notes about each experiences to make the memories last forever. Connect with other travelers and be inspired by their thoughts, photos and destinations. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main emphasis is placed on simplicity. Every account is accessible through web interface or email. From your personal OnTheRoad account you can access all your email contacts and select who you would like to keep informed. A new application is also available for the iPhone, Android or Windows Mobile, with all the same site features to upload photos, videos, post your location and send notes to your contacts." > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - I wish I had known about this tool when I was living and working overseas! This would be an excellent resource for an avid traveler, someone who is planning on traveling for a long period of time, as well as just a short trip. This site takes social networking while traveling a step further. I can decide who I would like to share information about my trip with individually, so even if mom and dad don't have a Facebook account, I can keep them updated by automatic notifications of when I update my account through email. I really like the available features. There is the option to create a trip book. This can be done for each stop on my journey with separate URLs for each location. GeoTagging shows my exact location anywhere in the world. I can find local weather for each stop and sort my pictures and videos into my account using "drag and drop." My friends and family can read my posts, leave comments, and I can be notified instantly when someone posts a comment or something new to my account. There is also help with itinerary planning, a travel blog, and OnTheRoadTalk (a travel community for users to keep updated about the site and share new ideas with the site creators and other travelers). I will definitely use this tool the next time I travel. > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Back to top >

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: ZOHO Corp. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: @https://www.zoho.com/ > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Collaborative - Online Collaboration and Productivity Applications > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web based. Compatible with any browser. Users can use a variety of applications to collaborate with others, create documents, wikis, and web sites. Zoho also provides email and website hosting services. This service is free for individual use. Business apps have several options with varying payment plans. One-on-one collaboration is always free. See the website for more information on pricing. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - Zoho provides a wide, integrated portfolio of rich online applications for businesses. With more than 20 different applications spanning Collaboration, Business and Productivity applications, Zoho helps businesses and organizations get work done. Our applications are delivered over the internet, requiring nothing but a browser. This means you can focus on your business and rely on Zoho to maintain the servers and keep your data safe. See the table below for a list of applications available through Zoho. They've thought of everything a business could need! Zoho is also compatible with Google Apps and Microsoft Office, and also offers service for Mobile Devices. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - I was so happy to find Zoho! Since I'm already a user of Google Apps, it was easy to create an account using my google email address and password. I find the site quite easy to navigate and useful for myself as a student and trainer. I think as I grow in my career, I can use more of Zoho's functions. Right now, the collaboration applications are very helpful for me as a student to communicate and collaborate with classmates for completing group projects and developing and sharing training materials for college faculty and staff. Later in my career, I could see the business and productivity applications being very useful. Overall, I think Zoho is a wonderful resource for students as well as business professionals. > > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to top
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[[image:zoho_collab_apps.JPG align="left"]] || [[image:zoho_bus_apps.JPG width="249" height="206" align="center"]] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[[image:zoho_prod_app.JPG width="227" height="202" align="right"]] ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: 37signals > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: @http://writeboard.com/ > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Collaborative - Create and Share a virtual Whiteboard > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - A web based free tool. Users create a "writeboard" with a title and password assigned to each new board. Then users can share and collaborate with anyone they share the writeboard link and password with. Revisions made by others are logged and easy to view. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - This tool is incredibly easy to use. On the homepage of the Writeboard site, there is a box for users to create a new document with a unique title and password. Then they input email addresses of anyone they would like to share and collaborate on the document with. Accept the terms of use and click "Create the Writeboard" and you're ready to go. Each document has a unique URL. Already have a document written? Just copy and paste it into the writeboard. However, writeboard does not have tools to edit text size, font, color, etc. A knowledge of HTML can help this, though. Writeboard users can input HTML tags to manipulate text. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - This tool would be great for students who are working on a group paper. It would also be wonderful for teachers who want to give feedback to students or parents on assignments. I could also see it being used to post announcements in the school or workplace, instead of sending out multiple hard copies of memos or multiple emails. It could for training employees in the workplace. However, I think this tool lags behind some other free tools available with similar capabilities. Only one user can edit/view the writeboard at one time, which could make synchronous group work difficult. > > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to top >

> <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Storage Tools > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: Diversion Web Publishing, LLC > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: http://www.divshare.com > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Storage - All Media File Types > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web-based. Site does not give information about compatible web browsers. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - Users with a divShare account can upload up to 5MB of content (photos, documents, music, and video files) for free. The site claims once files are uploaded, they are available to be accessed, managed, and shared "forever" as long as the account remains active. Users can also create slideshows, audio playlists, Flash video, and online document viewers within the site. When a file is saved, it is given a specific URL that can be accessed from any computer with internet access. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - As I start to create more image and video files for class, I worry about having space to store them on my computer's hard drive or an external hard drive. Having a place to store files online is a great way to back-up my media and document files in one secure place. I like that I can get a secure URL to access files quickly and to share them with others or post them on websites. > > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back to top > >

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator:** Adrive, LLC. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL:**@http://www.adrive.com/ > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category -** File Storage - Online File Back-up > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web based. Online file storage. 50 GB of storage space is free, with priced plans for additional space also available. Document files can be edited online. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - "ADrive™ (ADrive.com) leads the online data storage and backup industry by offering the largest amount of free storage and backup on the Internet. We also offer a suite of enhanced service features including increased storage capacity for our premium users, and have extended our services to enterprise customers to help protect their business' valuable data. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ADrive offers complete and secure solutions to store, backup, share, access, and edit files from virtually anywhere, at any time. ADrive serves as an online, centralized vault for all important file types including: music, videos, photos, documents, and more. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Founded in 2007 by veterans of the storage and networking industry, ADrive was created to meet the demands of our data-intensive world. They understand how fast local hard drives, external hard drives, and other storage devices can be quickly filled with data. They also understand the inconvenience involved in trying to transfer, backup, share, edit, or remotely access such files. Data management can be challenging for most enterprises, and ADrive has custom, enterprise solutions to assist with each company's data storage and backup procedures." > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - It seems like the more space I have on my computer's hard drive, the more I use! I have a large music collection, and use and create a lot of large media files for school and work. Two computers and two external hard drives sometimes still don't give me the peace of mind to know that my files are safe. I like the option of storing files online. The internet is easily accessible anywhere. I could see ADrive being especially useful if I had to travel for business and had a computer malfunction, or was unable to carry my laptop with me. Fifty Gigabites of storage is quite a lot of space, perfectly suitable for me at this point to save my essential files for work and personal use. This site offers an easy-to-use, safe, and secure back-up for my work.

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<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Presentation and Training Tools > =<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> = > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: Viddler, Inc. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: http://www.viddler.com > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Presentation and Training - Video - Sharing and Storage > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web-based. A user may upload a video file to Viddler and embed it within another website. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - This tool allows the user to upload a video file, or record a video with a webcam directly to the website. The service is completely free and unlike Youtube, or other video sharing and storage sites, users can customize the video player to reflect their company or organization's name. Also, there are privacy controls so users can choose who they would like to be able to view their videos. Viewers, not just the owner of the video, can post timed comments within the video that pop up in a small text box as the video is playing to express thoughts on a particular portion of the video at the precise moment in the video when the comment is relevant. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - I love that the player is customizable, the service is completely free, and the option to post comments within the video. I could definitely use this tool as part of training or instruction and have my clients or students comment on videos that I have made.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: Brandon S. Kane, Creator and President > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: @http://www.woopid.com/ > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Technology Training - Watch pre-made video tutorials covering a variety of technology hardware, software, and other tools. > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information -** Web based. Free tool. Compatible with any web browser. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description** - "Woopid provides thousands of easy to understand video tutorials for PC, Mac and various gadgets and hardware. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Videos are short, have audio narriation and visual callouts. Topics range from extemely simple and basic to complicated and advanced. Every video on Woopid is linked together using the “Take a Step Back”, “Moving Forward” system. This gives viewers a place to look when they’re confused about the video they just watched, as well as a place to look which helps them move ahead. This method helps ensures that both a beginner and advanced user can watch the same exact videos and get the same value from them." > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - I am constantly trouble-shooting problems with technology for university students, faculty, and staff at work. I also find myself getting stuck when trying to create training materials and coursework when using technology. This site offers an easy-to-use forum to get my technical questions answered. I can also recommend others visit this site when they have a question that I can't answer due to lack of knowledge or time. I think this is a great resource for technology trainers.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Author/Publisher/Creator**: Ustream, Inc.; Founders - John Ham, Brad Hunstable, Dr. Gyula Feher > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**URL**: @http://www.ustream.tv/ > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Category** - Presentation and Training - Live Video Broadcasting > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Technical Information** - Web-based. Users can record and broadcast live streaming video, as well as upload video files to this web site. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Description -** "Ustream is the leading live interactive broadcast platform that enables anyone with an Internet connection and a camera to engage their audience in a meaningful, immediate way. Unlike previous webcasting technology, Ustream uses a one-to-many model, which means that the user can broadcast to an audience of unlimited size. Ustream's platform has been used to broadcast everything from high school sporting events to Hollywood movie premieres, and people are finding new and innovative uses for it every day. > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ustream is all about premium content. It opens up a new world of possibilities and experiences to broadcasters and viewers alike, which the pre-recorded static video that's predominated the Internet to date just can't provide. Today, people are Ustreaming everything including: > > <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Use** - This tool could be very useful to me as a student and professionally. I could upload video files I have made to be viewed by classmates or university faculty and staff containing video projects I've done for a course or training material to instruct other members of the community at the university about particular issues with technology. This tool gives me the opportunity to make training more interactive with live broadcasting capabilities. I plan to use this tool often.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Major political events such as debates, speeches, rallies
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talk shows
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Movie premieres and 'red carpet events'
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Concerts
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">School and business events and training
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Conferences
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sporting events
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Personal milestones such as holiday gatherings, weddings, graduations, parties, even births
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interactive games for viewers to watch or join"

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