Web Apps

Recently I have investigated several web apps to determine what they are, how they can help, and ease of use. I found all of my web apps from the Webware 100 Awards Website (http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/winners.html). Following is an analysis of my investigation.

Netflix (netflix.com)
Netflix is a DVD rental service that's run entirely on the Internet. Each user gets his or her own queue for movies to rent, and the service will ship out as many as four at a time via postal mail. The service doubles as a review network, as each user also can review movies they've seen and view other community members' takes too. Users also can give movies a thumbs up or thumbs down to receive suggestions for future rentals, based on what other users have rented.

Netflix has achieved its popularity for its low-priced rentals and lack of late fees. It's also well known for its WatchItNow service, which lets users stream entire movies on their computers.

How it can help
This is a wonderful way to avoid lines at the video store. No late fees, a huge collection, and a queueing system make Netflix easy to use and a must for movie watchers.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? Big company, ease of use.
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? None
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? Very
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? Yes
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? see above
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? Yes, Neflix is continually growing and becoming a more user friendly company.

Voicethread (ed.voicethread.com)
VoiceThread is a photo- and video-sharing tool. It lets users upload photos , videos and documents from their hard drive or other online services, and add voice, text, and video annotations to each slide. These 'VoiceBooks' can be embedded in blogs, Web sites, or social networking profiles. Other users can comment on each slide, draw doodles, or leave voice messages of their own.

In addition to the standard methods of adding voice comments to a photo, one thing that makes VoiceThread especially cool is the telephone integration, which lets you record messages using a standard landline or mobile phone.

How it can help
I already use this site with my students. It has great potential for peer to peer collaboration and critical thinking. There is a limitless array of possibilities for use in the classroom.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? Something that students can use to interact with one another. Student friendly interface.
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? no
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? yes
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? Yes
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? I had a couple of students test it and they were able to use it without my help. It made them think critically about their subject matter. I love it.
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? Definitely.

Facebook (facebook.com)
Facebook is a popular social networking service. Originally offered to college students, it later opened up its doors to anyone with an e-mail address. Facebook gives users a place to make and explore personal profiles and interact with friends. While offerings were initially limited to a comment board called "The Wall" and a personal picture, the site now has several in-house services like user chat, photo hosting, interest groups, status messages, link sharing, and the news feed.

Facebook's biggest move, however, was introducing a development platform that lets developers make their own "application" for Facebook. These applications can run the gamut, from single-use widgets to full-blown Web sites that can be accessed and integrated into a Facebook user's data. Users can add as many applications as they want, then integrate and rearrange them on their profile page.

How it can help
This is a cool way to keep in touch with friends and to start groups based on interests. I must admit, I don't like giving information to the site, so I don't participate in the full extent of the program. I get emails when someone writes somethings on my personal page, but that's about it. Ease of use gets about an 8 out of 10. There are so many web apps that can be applied, if you are not using Facebook often, it can be overwhelming.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? big company, ease of use
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? Yes, I didn't want to install software that can see my information.
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? somewhat, it has a steep learning curve if you don't use it much.
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? yes
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? I stay in touch with my friends much more since joining.
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? yes.

fixmymovie (fixmymovie.com)
FixMyMovie is a service that takes your pixilated digital video clips and does its best to make them look better. The technology stems from MotionDSP's processing technology, which is similar to what's used in government intelligence operations to improve those dark and grainy security films--like you see in movies.

Most recently, FixMyMovie added the ability to create a single high-resolution 1,280x1,024 JPEG image from a 320x240 video. The company also is contemplating use of the technology to stitch together smaller frames into a wide panorama, to improve image tones to retrieve detail in bright highlights and murky shadows.

How it can help
This will definitely help get the common user of movie editing software to the next level of quality. Drawback...it takes a long time to upload and download movies, so you better have a fast computer with a fast connection.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? new video editing gadgets
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? no
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? yes
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? Yes, but it takes a while to use due to bandwidth constraints.
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? If a person doesn't have editing software of their own, this is an alternative.
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? no I have my own software.

Picasa Web Albums (picasaweb.google.com)
Picasa Web Albums is Google's Web photo hosting service. Users get 1GB of free hosting, and images can be uploaded and manipulated using Picasa, Google's free desktop photo management application. Users who want additional storage can shell out up to $500 a year to bump up the hosted space to 400 times the size of the free hosting service.

We really like the integration between the desktop and Web application. Like .Mac and iPhoto, Picasa makes it really simple to take photos from your desktop and publish them online for others to see. We're also fans of the built-in geotagging that lets you set where photos were taken either by single photo, or by entire albums. It's a great way to browse photos if you feel like exploring.

How it can help
One thing I really love about this site is the Geotagging feature...Wow! I am going to use this to research new places to visit. I am contemplating using this in my classroom as a social studies activity.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? something innovative, easy to share.
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? no
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? Yes
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? Yes
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? It's easy to share photos. The geotagging feature is cool! I can use this with my students.
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? Yes as a social studies activity.

Itunes (apple.com/itunes)
iTunes is Apple's software jukebox. It started out as a Mac-only app before making its way to Windows users in late 2003. The software will let you manage photos, videos, and music files on your computer, then sync them up with Apple's array of portable media players.

People have mixed opinions of iTunes since it's only been open to Apple branded devices like the iPod and iPhone instead of being open to many competing devices as a platform. Despite this, it was one of the first mainstream programs to offer Internet radio and CD-ripping free of charge in a time while other jukebox software providers were not.

One of the reasons it's free is the inclusion of the iTunes Store, which lets users buy music, TV shows, audio books and movies, as well as subscribe and browse podcasts. This year, Apple unveiled the iTunes rental store, which forgoes the usual $10 purchase fees for films and lets users rent them for a limited period of time for about a third of the cost.

How it can help
Itunes is definitely the best RSS and music software I've seen. Recently I've discovered the Itunes U feature. I can't believe top universities are opening up their knowledge base to the public free of charge! I will be spending more time investigating this feature. Ease of use gets a 9 out of 10.

What criteria did you use to select your programs? needed something to received RSS feeds, download music, and talk to my Ipod.
􀂃 Did you have any issues installing the software? It's a big program. Long to download and long to load.
􀂃 Was the interface intuitive? Yes
􀂃 Did the program perform as stated? Yes
􀂃 In what way was it purposeful in meeting your profession and personal interests? See above
􀂃 Will you continue using this software in the future? Why or why not? yes, I use it for the above reasons.