This 7 Things describes Google's collection of web based programmes and file storage that run in a web browser. Users don't have to buy and install software; instead they just log on to get to their files and the applications needed to manipulate them.
There are apps for communication (gmail, Google Talk and Google Calendar), productivity tools (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and surveys) and more. The base version is free or users can pay to get extra features.
Google Apps are popular with students and some tertiary institutions are now using gmail for students while maintaining inhouse systems for staff. There is concern amongst staff about keeping their files on someone else's server with resulting security breaches and loss of control.
It's possible for a group of users to share files so they can, eg, work collaboratively on a document rather than distributing copies to each user so they can work on them separately.
The big plus for Google Apps (and similar products from other providers) is that they foster a collaborative teaching and learning environment.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Gartner's Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2008
"Technologies and trends at or approaching the Hype Cycle peak include green IT, cloud computing and social networking platforms. Corporate use of virtual worlds and Web 2.0 are slipping into the Trough of Disillusionment, while SOA begins its ascent of the Slope of Enlightenment."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Media work and media practice
This program was originally broadcast on ABC Radio National on 10 April 2008, and was re-broadcast on 15 January 2009. Three prominent thinkers on contemporary media issues discussed issues to do with user-generated content.
Henry Jenkins focussed on YouTube. He feels it's not as inclusive and democratic as it might be - not everyone feels that it's the right place for their own content, and censorship and/or self-censorship may exclude some content. Furthermore, it's not just about the individual - he feels that a lot of content is generated by groups and communities.
Mark Deuze has researched media workplaces. He discusses the impermanence of audiences (here one day, somewhere else the next), and the impermanence of the workplace for those employed in it. The media organisations are relying more and more on user-generated content and those users are impermanent too - they might spend a lot of time on FaceBook now, but in six months' time they'll be somewhere else.
John Hartley "questions why a medium like TV that is so pervasive and can be so influential has long been treated with distrust". People have been quick to blame bad social problems on the influence of TV. However, now, with the audience generating content too, who controls and who has the power to control?
Henry Jenkins focussed on YouTube. He feels it's not as inclusive and democratic as it might be - not everyone feels that it's the right place for their own content, and censorship and/or self-censorship may exclude some content. Furthermore, it's not just about the individual - he feels that a lot of content is generated by groups and communities.
Mark Deuze has researched media workplaces. He discusses the impermanence of audiences (here one day, somewhere else the next), and the impermanence of the workplace for those employed in it. The media organisations are relying more and more on user-generated content and those users are impermanent too - they might spend a lot of time on FaceBook now, but in six months' time they'll be somewhere else.
John Hartley "questions why a medium like TV that is so pervasive and can be so influential has long been treated with distrust". People have been quick to blame bad social problems on the influence of TV. However, now, with the audience generating content too, who controls and who has the power to control?
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