Introduction
One major benefit to Web-based applications is the elimination of worrying about different software versions or file types as you email documents or move from PC to PC. Another bonus is that Web-based applications easily accommodate collaboration by allowing multiple users to edit the same file (with versioning) and provide users the ability to easily save and convert documents as multiple file types (including HTML and pdf). And, you can even use many of these tools, such as Zoho Writer and Google Docs (formerly known as Writely) to author and publish posts to your blog.
One major benefit to Web-based applications is the elimination of worrying about different software versions or file types as you email documents or move from PC to PC. Another bonus is that Web-based applications easily accommodate collaboration by allowing multiple users to edit the same file (with versioning) and provide users the ability to easily save and convert documents as multiple file types (including HTML and pdf). And, you can even use many of these tools, such as Zoho Writer and Google Docs (formerly known as Writely) to author and publish posts to your blog.
It is this type of integration with other Web 2.0 tools that also makes web-based applications so appealing. With Zoho and web-based applications, the possibilities are endless.
Explore
There are three online applications to explore in this tutorial:
- Zoho
Create a free account for yourself in Zoho Writer. Explore the site and create a test document or two. Try out Zoho Writer’s features and create a blog post about your discoveries. Challenge yourself to try using Zoho’s publish options to post to your blog. Here’s a Zoho-created document describing some of its beneficial features. - Google Docs
Explore Google Docs, formerly called Writely, Google's online word processing. Create and collaborate on files of every kind. See who edited which documents and when. - LibraryThing
Developed for booklovers, LibraryThing not only allows you to easily create an online catalog of your own, it also connects you to other people who have similar libraries and reading tastes. is a tool for the booklover or the cataloger.
Take a Library Thing tour. Create a LibraryThing account and add a least 5 books to your library. Add a book to your catalog by just entering the title. View your books on a virtual shelf, add a widget to display titles that are in your catalog (see sidebar for sample), or install a LT Search box on your blog. With over 95 000 registered users, a group forum for librarians, and 6.7 million books cataloged, discover how libraries are using LibraryThing.
To learn more about LibraryThing, view the following resources:
· MoBuzzTV Review: Third story in the five minute broadcast
· LibraryThing blog: Updates & news
· Thingology blog: LibraryThing's ideas blog
View my LibraryThing list.
Connect
“Small libraries are using LibraryThing to catalog their collections. Libraries are using the LibraryThing widget on their web pages to recommend books and list new titles.” (via http://wlaweb.blogspot.com/). Being a non-commercial site makes LibraryThing a good option for libraries. According to their Web site, LibraryThing "is exploring relationships with libraries, to offer non-commercially motivated recommendations and other social data."
Reflect
Create a post documenting your discoveries. For a challenge, publish a document through Zoho or add a link to your Library Thing list to your blog.
