1. Do you get what you pay for?
Free Web 2.0 Services
Do you get what you pay for?

2. Free Web 2.0 Services File Conversion
Bibliography, Notetaking and Citation
Documents for collaboration and sharing
Blogs
Wikis
Calendars

3. Why are some Web 2.0 services free?
"Free Sample" allows potential customers to try out product without commitment
Idealistic/Experimental projects such as Wikipedia
Competition for users including such important battles as Microsoft vs. Google and Google vs. Yahoo

4. Examples a "Free Samples"
Zamzar File Conversion utility 
    What it does:
Converts files from one format to another
Converts streaming video from You Tube into a format you can save
 Free Version vs. Paid version
More timely service for paid customers
File storage and sharing for paid customers
Voice Thread -Voice Blogging 
Free version requires address
Paid version offers many features to make students accountable for work without requiring address 
Teachers can have virtual class discussion for only $10/month

5. Bibliography, Citation and Notetaking
Bib Me-
Free (Donation is suggested)
Bibliography only
One step data entry!
Citation Machine-
 Free (Ad Supported)
Bibliography Only
Data entry is more complicated than BibMe 

6. Bibliography, Citation, Notaking cont.
Noodle Tools-
Free resources include Bibliography and search help
Subscription product allows individual students to:
create online notecards 
store and organize research
receive help on source evaluation
learn skills such as paraphrasing
Subscription for individuals, single classes, campuses or districts

7. Documents for Collaboration and Sharing (AKA, "The Cloud")
Leading providers of this service are: 
Google
Zoho 
For individuals, these are free platforms to create documents, spreadsheets and slide shows without purchasing software
These documents can be shared with anyone in the world and the creator can invite both viewers and collaborators
This presentation is made on Google Docs.  If you wish to view or add to the material me at

8. Shared Documents (continued)
Zoho and Google provide free storage and software to individuals who agree to the terms of service.
Companies are not liable if something goes wrong with your document or presentation when you need it.
Zoho offfers many software services with advanced features for a price, but the personal editions are adequate for most. Offers special pricing for schools
Google, also is free for "personal additions" but institutions such as schools may want to subscribe (see next slide)

9. Shared Documents-Free vs. Fee
Free editions 
lack many advanced features
 offer limits on storage
are not secure
may not be legal for use in schools
Paid versions of both Google and Zoho
Offer much stronger security and privacy
integrate accounts for students
More support, archiving and content filtering
Comply with legal requirements for schools
Reduce strain on school district technology resources

10. Blogs Most popular free blog sites are Blogger.com Wordpress.com
 Users may pay for extra storage or custom domain names
Problem with these Web sites is that these blogging communities have adult content and privacy/security concerns
Edublogs
offers more controlled environment 
Wordpress software (easy to use)
Individuals can blog for free
Campus plan costs money, but offers many advantages including ability to monitor and secure hosting 

11. Wikis Wikispaces www.wikispaces.com PbWiki www.pbwiki.com
Free version has ads. Some are inappropriate
Paid version offers more security and control
Paid version has more features and storage
Option to rent a domain with unlimited number of wiki spaces with a single sign on
PbWiki 
Free version ad-free
Pair version offers more security and control 
Paid version offers more storage space 
Wiki spaces are priced by space and higher prices mean more storage and security.
Demonstrate Wikispace administration

12. Online Calendars Google and Yahoo free calendars
Can be used to schedule library or for school club schedules
Notifications feature is great for absent minded teens!
Multiple calendars for each staff member or room.
Famundo 
Free organization calendar with limited storage space
Can link to documents
Family plan is a paid service that offers more features and storage space
Demonstrate Google Calendar showing library schedule
Mention that users must agree to terms of service.