Online Collaboration Tool - That WORKS!

I have tried using Google Docs a couple of times for various classes. I have had serious problems, including lost data, unpredictable formatting and problems getting Google Docs to accept graphics files embedded in a Word document.

My DTC 478 instructor, John Barber, seconded a recommendation from another student in that class for something called Dropbox. He is correct, it is a great tool. It doesn't do anything but file sharing, so there are no online editors to deal with, and it does the file sharing extremely well.

First, go to www.dropbox.com. You will be presented with a video and a big download button. The video does provide some good basic information, and most of what you'll need to get started. After watching the video, download the software.

Download and setup is quick and easy. If you haven't already created an account with them, you will be prompted to do so during install. If you are setting up the account to access a folder that someone else wants to share with you, make sure you set up your account with the same e-mail address they used for sharing the folder.

Once the software is installed on your machine, there will be a folder on your computer called Dropbox. To access it, just start the Dropbox program from the icon provided or from the All Programs menu. The folder will open up on your desktop, with all of the folders to which you have access included.

Follow the instructions on the site (a little hard to find, at first) to create a shared folder and invite people to use it.

Once you have access to the folder, anything you save to the Dropbox folder on your computer will upload to Dropbox's servers. The folder will sync with the server every few minutes, downloading new documents (or deleting them) automatically.

You can also access the folder via web browser. Just go to the Dropbox site, log in, and your folders will appear. So no need to worry about having access if you're away from your computer. I have been very pleased with this software/service over the last week I have been using it.

Review of Meadow's Technical Re-write

It has been interesting to read other people's re-write of the miserably awful instructions we were given in class. All of those I have read are miles better than the originals. Kudos to you all for deciphering such an example of engineerese.

I will comment on Meadow Nelson's re-write because she has chosen to use screenshots to enhance the instructions. What's more, she has used them effectively. I have seen too many documents filled to the brim with big pictures that don't help. Meadow's use of these graphics is tight, relevant and useful.

Furthermore, her language was clear, such as "This will bring up a drop-down menu" and "A popup box will appear". Minor details that help keep the reader from becoming lost.

There were a few things I would suggest changes to, however. In a few places where the language needs to be re-thought. The phrase "User system is on Windows 95 platform" might be clearer written as "User's computer is running Windows 95". Also, the formatting makes it difficult at times to spot the next step. More use of white space would probably clear up this issue (most easily seen at step 3).

I would also like to mention Karina's and Daniel Stortz's take on this. They both used a very effective method of pointing out vital information. They bolded certain terms to make them stand out. That makes the document much more readable.

Michael Sasser