Google docs

Google Docs is a free, Web-based combination of a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation application offered by Google. Google Docs combines the features of several services, typically offered by several applications.

GoogleDoc seems like a very interesting tool. However, it smacks of being too "Techie" and as a result, it may not be acceptable by everyone. Furthermore, it looks rather functional (read not sleek), which may very well raise some eyebrows. Since this type of a document does not look very scholarly, it may not be acceptable to some members of an online/ on-campus faculty.

GoogleDocs is a bona fide web application - it allows you to create presentation within the application itself. Moreover, it allows you to import documents created in variety of formats. By default, all the documents are saved on Google servers. GoogleDoc automatically saves open documents to prevent data loss. GoogleDocs also maintains revision history and allows the documents to be tagged and organized.

GoogleDoc allows users to collaborate on the creation and modification of a document. Documents can be opend and edited at the same time. As a result, GoogleDocs is useful in making presentations.

Documents and presentations can be created within the application itself, imported through the web interface, or sent via email. They can also be saved to the user's computer in a variety of formats. . Open documents are automatically saved to prevent data loss, and a revision history is automatically saved.

However, a major drawback of GoogleDoc is that it does not offer sophisticated security. Since multiple users are logged on to their Google Accounts and can access Google Docs without restriction (there is no password check), there is a threat to the privacy of important documents.