Spotlight

Special issue on ASPs:

Call me crazy, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that pretty soon the only piece of software I'll need on any of my PCs will be a Web browser. Already a lot of my daily work is accomplished via MSIE or Netscape Communicator, without launching any other applications: keeping a schedule and an address book; checking e-mail; participating in discussions and online meetings; designing databases; archiving files; backing up my hard disk; scanning my files for viruses; managing my bank accounts; translating messages into Portuguese (which I don't speak); keeping a photo album; calling long-distance; buying plane tickets. I even started dabbling in Web-based word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation builders.
That's why this issue of my newsletter is devoted exclusively to the growing range of applications provided by ASPs (i.e. Application Service Providers rather than Active Server Pages), most of which are free, and some of which are truly outstanding. I hope that in the list below you will find tools that will prove useful for you or your team. I could not resist indicating my recommendations with an asterisk and strong recommendations with a double asterisk, but don't let it limit your choices; all these tools have something to offer.

Calendars/Scheduling

Abrio: maintain personal and group calendars and to-do lists; overlay with other calendars; setup reminders (delivered via e-mail or ICQ); view schedules by day, week, month, or year; implement access control; search the database of events (sport, TV, movies, etc.). Cost: free.
AnyDay: maintain personal and group calendars and to-do lists; setup reminders; view schedules by day, week, month, or year; maintain an address book; receive e-mail notifications of events; synchronize your schedule with desktop PIMs; implement fine-grained access control. Cost: free.
EasyDiary**: maintain personal and group calendars; events, group events and meetings; manage tasks; maintain an address book; schedule reminders and alerts; invite others to events; implement access control; customize; view schedules by day, week, or month; schedule automatic mailings; access user directory. Cost: free.
Time Dance**: schedule group events; invite people to events; poll invitees on their availability; maintain an address book; import/export events to/from popular PIMs; send automatic e-mail reminders; place notes on a bulletin board; setup multiple groups. Cost: free.
When.com: maintain personal and group calendars; automatically track events such as TV programs, sport, movie releases, concerts, etc.; view schedules by day, week, or month; send automatic e-mail notification and reminders to participants; receive horoscopes; set default holidays; customize your calendar. Cost: free.

Conferencing

Centra Now*: engage in multiway audio conferencing; share applications; use synchronous whiteboard; lead Web tours; share control of the session; organize group breakout sessions; chat with text in real time; create polls, quizzes, and post-session surveys; participate in threaded discussions; get presenter's attention with virtual hand raising. Cost: free.
Placeware Conference Center 2000**: give real-time slideshow presentations; use synchronous whiteboard; lead Web tours; run live application demos; present on-the-fly screen shots; chat with text in real time; fshare control of the session; accomodate multiple presenters and moderators; instantly create polls and quizzes; receive instant feedback from participants; record sessions for on-demand playback. Cost: $400 per "seat" per year. Free version called MyPlaceware is available for meetings of up to 4 people.
PowWow: engage in multipoint chat (textual and voice); send instant messages; use synchronous whiteboard; place notes on a bulletin board; transfer files; create buddy lists; lead live Web tours; implement access control; filter profanity; use automatic text-to-speech conversion. Cost: free for individuals. Hosted communities: $49.95 per 10 simultaneous users per year.
WebEx Meeting*: give presentations (with Powerpoint slides); use synchronous whiteboard; share documents and applications (in real time); lead live Web tours; chat with text in real time; send live video; schedule meetings; send automatic e-mail invitations and reminders; use integrated phone conferencing (dial-in or dial-out). Cost: most features are free (for up to 6 participants). Substantial fees for certain features and larger meetings.

Discussion Groups

Delphi Forums: manage threaded discussions; create polls; attach files to messages; establish a home page; implement access control; create customizable views; post a personal profile; chat in real time (with text or audio). Cost: free.
ListBot: create and administer mailing lists and discussion groups; moderate discussions; allow users to subscribe and unsubscribe on their own; access archived messages; send/receive HTML-formatted mail and attachments; collect demographic data. Cost: free (with ads); $99/year (without ads).

File Storage/Exchange

i-drive*: store and share your files; implement access control; send files to other i-drives or e-mail addresses; save Web content to i-drive with the Filo or the Sideload tool; synchronize with files on your desktop. Cost: free (up to 25 MB).
FreeDiskSpace: securely store files; share folders and files; implement access control (2 levels); obtain access logs; transfer multiple files. Cost: free.
Punch WebGroups*: securely store files; check files in and out; automatically maintain version control; receive e-mail notification of changes; create teams; implement access control (4 levels); obtain access logs. Cost: free (10 MB of storage and 2 groups); $9.95 per month (100 MB, 10 groups); $19.95 per month (100 MB, unlimited groups); additional storage: $15 each 100 MB.
DocSpace**: securely store files; check files in and out; send files; automatically maintain version control; maintain address book; create teams; administer your space remotely; add digital signatures to documents. Cost: $6.99/user/month (up to 25 MB of file space); $9.99/user/month (26-100 MB); $24.99/user/month (101-250 MB).
iAmaze: create online slideshows from templates or from scratch; send documents to others right from the site; implement access control; translate documents to PDF automatically; store images (up to 10 MB total). Cost: free.

Databases

Bitlocker: create online databases from templates or from scratch; import records from text files; export records as text files or HTML tables; implement access control; search. Cost: free. Professional version (add-free): $100 per year.
Flashbase Forms**: create online forms for data collection from templates or from scratch; generate reports and graphs; customize layouts; use SSL for protection( paid version only); implement access control; search and sort records; receive e-mail notification of new records; import/export records from/into text files; submit files as field entries. Cost: free for up to 500 forms or 1,000 responses; $25 per month if more needed.

Office Productivity Suites

myWebOS: create richly formatted documents; store files; maintain an adress book and a calendar; manage expenses; send and receive e-mail; use a notebook; send instant messages; participate in discussion groups; receive news clips. Cost: free; certain specialized applications require small monthly fees.
ThinkFree*: create richly formatted documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; save files in several common formats; open Microsoft Office documents; store files; send and receive e-mail; maintain an address book; encrypt files for transfer. Cost: free.

Group Collaboration Suites

eGroups**: host and archive mailing lists; store and share files (up to 20 MB total); maintain group and personal calendars; send automatic event reminders; create simple databases (from templates or from scratch); create polls; hold and moderate asynchronous discussions; chat in real time (with text or audio); conduct full-text searches of documents; implement access control; administer eGroup from a browser.
iNiku*: store and share files; setup project folders; check files in and out; manage tasks; use templates for many common documents; send and receive e-mail with file attachments; apply filters to e-mail; access external POP accounts; send instant messages; mantain a personal address book and a user directory; receive technology news feeds; create a personal profile. Cost: free.
Intranets.com: store and share files; implement access control (2 levels); send announcements to the group; maintain an address book and group calendar; receive news feeds; customize the interface. Cost: free (up to 25 MB of storage. Additional space available for a small, annual fee.)
Jump!*: maintain personal and group calendars; schedule tasks and events; view schedules by day, week, month, or year; receive automatic reminders; hold asynchronous discussions; maintain an address book; establish an e-mail account; access external POP3 accounts; view TV schedule; receive news feeds; setup a personal profile; synchronize with desktop PIMs; customize. Cost: free.
WebEx Office**: establish a template-based, customizable, personal Web site; maintain an address book; chat in real time with text; setup document folders; maintain a shared calendar; hold asynchronous group discussions; send instant messages. Cost: free.

Online Education Suites

Blackboard.com**: hold asynchronous group discussions; chat in real time with text; use synchronous whiteboard; create assessment tools; maintain a gradebook; create content; use the integrated messaging system; exchange files; post self-study materials; setup collaborative groups. Cost: free; optional support for $100/month.
CampusCruiser: create personalized Web pages for individuals and groups; use browser-based e-mail client; hold asynchronous group discussions; maintain calendars (personal and group); chat in real time with text; maintain an address book; manage tasks; publish electronic newspaper; post class syllabi and assignments; collect personal profiles of users. Cost: free.
Campus Pipeline: create individualized course Web pages; maintain calendars; use browser-based e-mail client; post course materials and syllabi; send announcements; hold asynchronous group discussions; chat in real time with text; receive/post class assignments; maintain a gradebook; monitor students' progress; access career resources; collect personal profiles of users.Cost: free, if advertisements accepted; otherwise, a fee for enrolled students.

No. 17

March 28, 2000

Special issue on ASPs:


	No. 17 March 28, 2000 Special issue on ASPs: Call me crazy, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that pretty soon the only piece of software I'll need on any of my PCs will be a Web browser. Already a lot of my daily work is accomplished via MSIE or Netscape Communicator, without launching any other applications: keeping a schedule and an address book; checking e-mail; participating in discussions and online meetings; designing databases; archiving files; backing up my hard disk; scanning my files for viruses; managing my bank accounts; translating messages into Portuguese (which I don't speak); keeping a photo album; calling long-distance; buying plane tickets. I even started dabbling in Web-based word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation builders. That's why this issue of my newsletter is devoted exclusively to the growing range of applications provided by ASPs (i.e. Application Service Providers rather than Active Server Pages), most of which are free, and some of which are truly outstanding. I hope that in the list below you will find tools that will prove useful for you or your team. I could not resist indicating my recommendations with an asterisk and strong recommendations with a double asterisk, but don't let it limit your choices; all these tools have something to offer. Calendars/Scheduling Abrio: maintain personal and group calendars and to-do lists; overlay with other calendars; setup reminders (delivered via e-mail or ICQ); view schedules by day, week, month, or year; implement access control; search the database of events (sport, TV, movies, etc.). Cost: free. AnyDay: maintain personal and group calendars and to-do lists; setup reminders; view schedules by day, week, month, or year; maintain an address book; receive e-mail notifications of events; synchronize your schedule with desktop PIMs; implement fine-grained access control. Cost: free. EasyDiary:** maintain personal and group calendars; events, group events and meetings; manage tasks; maintain an address book; schedule reminders and alerts; invite others to events; implement access control; customize; view schedules by day, week, or month; schedule automatic mailings; access user directory. Cost: free. Time Dance:** schedule group events; invite people to events; poll invitees on their availability; maintain an address book; import/export events to/from popular PIMs; send automatic e-mail reminders; place notes on a bulletin board; setup multiple groups. Cost: free. When.com: maintain personal and group calendars; automatically track events such as TV programs, sport, movie releases, concerts, etc.; view schedules by day, week, or month; send automatic e-mail notification and reminders to participants; receive horoscopes; set default holidays; customize your calendar. Cost: free. Conferencing *Centra Now:** engage in multiway audio conferencing; share applications; use synchronous whiteboard; lead Web tours; share control of the session; organize group breakout sessions; chat with text in real time; create polls, quizzes, and post-session surveys; participate in threaded discussions; get presenter's attention with virtual hand raising. Cost: free. Placeware Conference Center 2000:** give real-time slideshow presentations; use synchronous whiteboard; lead Web tours; run live application demos; present on-the-fly screen shots; chat with text in real time; fshare control of the session; accomodate multiple presenters and moderators; instantly create polls and quizzes; receive instant feedback from participants; record sessions for on-demand playback. Cost: $400 per "seat" per year. Free version called MyPlaceware is available for meetings of up to 4 people. PowWow: engage in multipoint chat (textual and voice); send instant messages; use synchronous whiteboard; place notes on a bulletin board; transfer files; create buddy lists; lead live Web tours; implement access control; filter profanity; use automatic text-to-speech conversion. Cost: free for individuals. Hosted communities: $49.95 per 10 simultaneous users per year. *WebEx Meeting:** give presentations (with Powerpoint slides); use synchronous whiteboard; share documents and applications (in real time); lead live Web tours; chat with text in real time; send live video; schedule meetings; send automatic e-mail invitations and reminders; use integrated phone conferencing (dial-in or dial-out). Cost: most features are free (for up to 6 participants). Substantial fees for certain features and larger meetings. Discussion Groups Delphi Forums: manage threaded discussions; create polls; attach files to messages; establish a home page; implement access control; create customizable views; post a personal profile; chat in real time (with text or audio). Cost: free. ListBot: create and administer mailing lists and discussion groups; moderate discussions; allow users to subscribe and unsubscribe on their own; access archived messages; send/receive HTML-formatted mail and attachments; collect demographic data. Cost: free (with ads); $99/year (without ads). File Storage/Exchange *i-drive:** store and share your files; implement access control; send files to other i-drives or e-mail addresses; save Web content to i-drive with the Filo or the Sideload tool; synchronize with files on your desktop. Cost: free (up to 25 MB). FreeDiskSpace: securely store files; share folders and files; implement access control (2 levels); obtain access logs; transfer multiple files. Cost: free. *Punch WebGroups:** securely store files; check files in and out; automatically maintain version control; receive e-mail notification of changes; create teams; implement access control (4 levels); obtain access logs. Cost: free (10 MB of storage and 2 groups); $9.95 per month (100 MB, 10 groups); $19.95 per month (100 MB, unlimited groups); additional storage: $15 each 100 MB. DocSpace:** securely store files; check files in and out; send files; automatically maintain version control; maintain address book; create teams; administer your space remotely; add digital signatures to documents. Cost: $6.99/user/month (up to 25 MB of file space); $9.99/user/month (26-100 MB); $24.99/user/month (101-250 MB). iAmaze: create online slideshows from templates or from scratch; send documents to others right from the site; implement access control; translate documents to PDF automatically; store images (up to 10 MB total). Cost: free. Databases Bitlocker: create online databases from templates or from scratch; import records from text files; export records as text files or HTML tables; implement access control; search. Cost: free. Professional version (add-free): $100 per year. Flashbase Forms:** create online forms for data collection from templates or from scratch; generate reports and graphs; customize layouts; use SSL for protection( paid version only); implement access control; search and sort records; receive e-mail notification of new records; import/export records from/into text files; submit files as field entries. Cost: free for up to 500 forms or 1,000 responses; $25 per month if more needed. Office Productivity Suites myWebOS: create richly formatted documents; store files; maintain an adress book and a calendar; manage expenses; send and receive e-mail; use a notebook; send instant messages; participate in discussion groups; receive news clips. Cost: free; certain specialized applications require small monthly fees. *ThinkFree:** create richly formatted documents, spreadsheets, and presentations; save files in several common formats; open Microsoft Office documents; store files; send and receive e-mail; maintain an address book; encrypt files for transfer. Cost: free. Group Collaboration Suites eGroups: host and archive mailing lists; store and share files (up to 20 MB total); maintain group and personal calendars; send automatic event reminders; create simple databases (from templates or from scratch); create polls; hold and moderate asynchronous discussions; chat in real time (with text or audio); conduct full-text searches of documents; implement access control; administer eGroup from a browser. iNiku:* store and share files; setup project folders; check files in and out; manage tasks; use templates for many common documents; send and receive e-mail with file attachments; apply filters to e-mail; access external POP accounts; send instant messages; mantain a personal address book and a user directory; receive technology news feeds; create a personal profile. Cost: free. Intranets.com: store and share files; implement access control (2 levels); send announcements to the group; maintain an address book and group calendar; receive news feeds; customize the interface. Cost: free (up to 25 MB of storage. Additional space available for a small, annual fee.) *Jump!:** maintain personal and group calendars; schedule tasks and events; view schedules by day, week, month, or year; receive automatic reminders; hold asynchronous discussions; maintain an address book; establish an e-mail account; access external POP3 accounts; view TV schedule; receive news feeds; setup a personal profile; synchronize with desktop PIMs; customize. Cost: free. WebEx Office:** establish a template-based, customizable, personal Web site; maintain an address book; chat in real time with text; setup document folders; maintain a shared calendar; hold asynchronous group discussions; send instant messages. Cost: free. Online Education Suites Blackboard.com*: hold asynchronous group discussions; chat in real time with text; use synchronous whiteboard; create assessment tools; maintain a gradebook; create content; use the integrated messaging system; exchange files; post self-study materials; setup collaborative groups. Cost: free; optional support for $100/month.* CampusCruiser: create personalized Web pages for individuals and groups; use browser-based e-mail client; hold asynchronous group discussions; maintain calendars (personal and group); chat in real time with text; maintain an address book; manage tasks; publish electronic newspaper; post class syllabi and assignments; collect personal profiles of users. Cost: free. Campus Pipeline: create individualized course Web pages; maintain calendars; use browser-based e-mail client; post course materials and syllabi; send announcements; hold asynchronous group discussions; chat in real time with text; receive/post class assignments; maintain a gradebook; monitor students' progress; access career resources; collect personal profiles of users.Cost: free, if advertisements accepted; otherwise, a fee for enrolled students. © 2000 Vlad Wielbut and the Alliance for Community Technology