Free! Ten Alternatives to Expensive Technology

by Andrew ShupingLearning Commons/Emerging Technologies/ILL Librarian

Jack Tarver Library, Mercer UniversityApril, 2009

 

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/06/funny-pictures-bbc-budget-gets-slashed/

Conference Sessions--Wiggio

• It has multiple features including:o Calendar which can import from Google, Yahoo, etco Folders for uploading files or creating a documento Can have a virtual meeting, conference call, or chat

Virtual has tools such as whiteboard, screen sharing, etc. can only have 10 participants 

o Polls o Send messages thru e-mail, sms, sticky note, voice note

• Check out the FAQ for all that it offers

Networking--card.ly

• Easy to use• Simple interface• Cheap social streaming • Easy to embed and share • People can contact you through the sites services• Different themes, although some themes are pay for

Photo editing--FotoFlexer

• Edit photos from other social networks and save to other siteso Can share edited photos easily

• Multiple effects, animations, flashy stickers and other add ons • Flash based• Can handle layers • Check the privacy and terms of service policy before using

Free webpages--Weebly.com

• Free hosting with no limit on bandwidth • Easy to use drop and drag editing • 70+ templates or design your own • NO ADVERTISING! • Publish on own domain name• If you can imagine it, you can do it with them (sell products, forums, slideshares,

etc.)

Online Storage/backup---ADrive

• 50GB of Free storage• Java based upload (does prevent using browser window while uploading)• Any file can be uploaded or downloaded• Built in PDF reader with now downloads • More storage can be purchased• Does not autosync for the free account

Screen Sharing--Screencast-O-Matic

• You can upload to YouTube or export movie (MP4, avi, flv)• Easy to use• Java based • You can add more after accidentally stopping recording  (no editing features though)• You choose screen capture size • Free is limited to 15 minutes  and there is a watermark

o Pro Account one time $5 fee for 1 hour of recording and no water mark basic editing and more features coming

Text Messaging--Google Voice

• Web based platform• Transcriptions  of transactions• Able to block numbers• Route multiple numbers into one number• Pick a number from any area code (within Google's directory) • Easy to use• Invitation only at the moment

Other--Aviary

• Flash Based• Multiple tools including screen capture and audio editing• Images stored on their servers• Has layers• Import from other sites (Facebook, Flickr, etc.)• Active forum• Check FAQ closely for information on images and privacy

 

Productivity--drop.io

• 100 MB of free storage • Password protection and flexible expiration settings• The ability to store and share images, documents, video, audio, and other digital content• Realtime Chat and File Sharing• Also feature present.io as a way to share presentations during real time. Participant sees

everything the presenter does• Also features confrenc.io for creating media chat rooms

All else fails... Alternative to

 

• Web based search to discover alternatives • Provides reviews• Can limit by OS or online• Mix of online and downloadable software• Mix of free and pay for • Can filter by type of license  

Other tools to tryConference SessionsTinyUrl Chat roomsDimDimFree Conference calls VyewTwiddla

NetworkingCeeveeVisualCV

Productivity EasyPlannerPDF to wordWebpages without RSS Remember the MilkLovely Charts

Photo EditingPhotoShopPicnik FotoFlexerSumo Paint Aviary Phoenix

Other tools to try pt. 2Free WebpagesRoxer Dinky Page

Online StorageBackupify

Screen Sharing  zscreen ScreenToaster ScreenCastle ScreenPreso

SMS text messagingPoll Everywhere

OtherLiber Key--portable apsOpenwithPortableApps Survs Zamzar.com

Sources?

• Search for a need via Google• Blogs:

o Lifehackero Download Squado Techcrunch

• Listserv and other blogs • Most important, colleagues.  Both in real life and virtual networks.

 

Thank you!

I can be found at:http://ashuping.net

ashuping@gmail.com

Questions?

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/10/31/11197/