DropBox - The Future of FileSharing & Syncing Data

DropBox is a brilliant piece of web-based software that allows for storing and sharing of files between computers. It behaves like a remote online hard drive, and removes the hassles of networking local computers, carrying flash drives, etc.

But more important, it is a simple way to seamlessly and automatically sync data between computers --- PC's, Mac's, and Linux.

Example: sync your work computer, home computer, and notebook computer.

Watch a short DropBox video, or take a Tour.

Scenario #1:

• Download DropBox onto computer #1 (PC, Mac, Linux)
• Install DropBox
• Login with your email address.
• A DropBox Folder is created inside of the Documents folder (or wherever you choose).
• Drag all files (any filetype) into the DropBox Folder
• They're instantly synchronized with a Dropbox folder on the DropBox website.
• Access these files by simply logging into getdropbox.com from any computer, any time, any where.
  

Scenario #2:

• Download DropBox onto computer #2 (PC, Mac, Linux)
• Use the same Login (email account) as computer #1
• ALL files from PC#1 are synchronized on computer #2 (regardless of platform)
• Edit or add files from either computer and they are instantly synchronized.
  

Free storage up to 2 Gig. Small fees for up to 100 Gig.

Google Chrome (browser)

Google released a lightening fast browser that focuses on running web-based apps.

A smarter implementation of Javascript rendering makes pages more responsive and let your browser do more than one thing at once (multi-task).

It's crash-protected -- by using smarter memory management each tab is independent and one crashed tab does not impact the others.

It's built on Webkit, the browser framework used to power Safari and the iPhone.

Download at: http://www.google.com/chrome

Find more information on installation and essential features.

CatchVideo.net (download YouTube videos to your PC)

CatchVideo.net

This is a very fast (and free) video converter.

1. Simply copy/paste the URL of a YouTube or MySpace video.

2. Select the type of video format you wish, including:
.avi, .mov, .flv, .dvd, iPod

3. Select the Convert/Download button

4. Save it on your local computer.

Great for backups, burn to CD or DVD, transfer to iPod and a host of other uses.

Catchvideo.net. Try it soon.

Voice Thread

VoiceThread is a simple but powerful Web2.0 tool.

One can upload images and create an audio narrative to go along with each image. Audio comments can be left by visitors, and the narrated slide show can be emailed or embedded in Blogs and websites.

Consider the image below. It's about an exciting, free web-based product called Scribblar. I used VoiceThread to take the images, narrate over the top, and post a nice 3-minute video that is much more effective than just an image.

Imagine posting several photographs of a World War II veteran in action, then having this person annotate while viewing the photos. Or imagine a student posting photographs or scanning images of a project then speaking about each picture.

VoiceThread is as simple as uploading pics, documents, or presentations and simply annotating over the top.
After recording one can share and publish the results. Just copy the URL or the Embedded Coding into an Email, Blog, or Webpage.

Scribblar

Scribblar is an interactive white-board with tons of bells and whistles.

There's nothing faster or easier for effective online collaboration. Great for online training, tutoring and creative brainstorming.

This free web-based application is real-time multi-user with live audio, text chat, image uploading and sharing, and tons of tools (pencil drawings, shapes, highlighting, and more.)

I observed a student teacher who prepped a few Scribblar pages, then invited his kids to participate. He simply sent them an email and a few clicks later they were in and participating.

Consider the following example: uploaded image; tools to add lines, shapes and angles; live audio and chat.

You may wish to view this short 3-minute video describing the Scribblar diagram below.

Try it out at scribblar.com