Having read the ReadWriteWeb’s article on the YouTube posting from Microsoft of their differences between Microsoft vs Google with their online apps offerings (one tried-and-tested, the other still in beta) we tend to agree that it is a little “defensive”. It does go to show, however, that Google is slowly coming under more and more pressure from Redmond as Microsoft focuses on cloud computing as their next generation of applications:
Microsoft has such a strong product in Microsoft Office. Microsoft Corp. President Stephen Elop seems to be someone who understands the interdependency of the Web ecosystem. But he has a tough road ahead if this kind of marketing continues from Microsoft.
We at WaveAdept are less concerned with the technology (as long as it works!) than what it delivers to the companies putting their hard earned dollars on the table to buy them. Once you have the tool set, be it Google Apps, Zoho, Microsoft BPOS or any other cloud offering, the real value comes not in the ’shiny ICT bullet IT’ but in how it both supports and extends the ability of the company to do what it is they are in business to do.
And so, check out the vids and then sit back and ask yourself, “What is it that any technology SHOULD be doing for us!” the features required will then fall out of that thinking and NOT the features themselves being the reason for chosing a toolset.
chuffed to be able to sponsor 2 Summer of Code students in our place.
So, #Webstock type people, your goal is to say hi to Kai and Bex who will be sporting WaveAdept T-shirts, giving out cards but most importantly of all looking to make career changing connections with you all.
Clicking on an email address on a website that is linked using ‘mailto:’ can often try to kick off any email package you have installed on your PC – annoying if you only use the Gmail web interface.
Here’s simple steps to change that for all of the popular web browsers out there:
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the Learning@Schools 2010 Conference (Wed 24th / Thu 25 Feb in Rotorua) we’d like to take a moment and pass on the following Google Apps breakout sessions as posted by Maria from Watchdog (a Google Apps re-seller focused on Google Apps Education Edition here in New Zealand)
Google kids learn better? – Interactive Presentation Dave Winter (Project director, ConnectED Regional Cluster & ICT Manager, Southwell School) and Barbara Reid (Teacher & ICT Facilitator)
We’ve heard of google docs and apps. What can they do for students? Together we will discuss literacy in a google world. A few tips and tricks will appear from the crowd as we learn what a google connected class might mean. When & Where: Breakout 1, Novotel Batten 2
Google Apps in Education – Interactive Presentation Maria Casale – Watchdog Corporation
This session will cover in reasonable detail how to use the various aspects of Google Apps (Docs, Sites, Mail, Calendar & Video), and demonstrate how they can be used in the classroom, using lesson plans and examples by Google Certified Teachers. Group discussions and questions will be encouraged throughout the presentation. When & Where: Breakout 2, Rydges Aintree 2, and repeated in Breakout Six, Millennium Room 2
Google Fest – Interactive Presentation Dorothy Burt – Google Certified Teacher, Pt England School
Everyone has used at least one of the Google Tools and yet none of us is an expert in all of them. There is always lots more new and cool ideas out there. In this session you should come along prepared to participate as much or little as you feel comfortable. We will start out with a short ‘presentation from the front’ but the majority of the session will be a form of crowd sourcing. You will have the opportunity to come and demonstrate one of the Google Apps that you have used in your classroom or in your role as educator if you would like to. If that doesn’t sound like you, then sit back and enjoy learning from a wide variety of people. We tested this session format at ULearn09 and feedback from all bar one (didn’t read this blurb and thought he was coming to a lecture) said was a great session and left with lots of Google ideas to use. If you are coming to the GoogleFest and have something you would like to share, email me beforehand dorothy@ptengland.school.nz or ping me on GoogleWave dorothyjburt@googlewave.com When & Where: Breakout 2, Novotel Batten 1
Clicking on an email address on a website that is linked using ‘mailto:’ can often try to kick off any email package you have installed on your PC – annoying if you only use the Gmail web interface.
