In our work we spend a lot of time sending written documents back and forwards with our clients, and sometimes email just doesn’t cut it, especially if we want to send large documents or collaborate on writing.
Luckily there is a huge range of free, online tools to help make it easier to share information and collaborate online. Here’s a good list of some useful services
File transfer and collaboration
Wetransfer.com is a simple file transfer site that lets you very easily send large files across the internet. You upload the file, type the email address you want to send it to, your email address and a message and click Transfer. Files are available to the recipient for two weeks. You can also get your own Wetransfer URL, through which files are available for four weeks. www.wetransfer.com/
YouSendIt is another file transfer site for large files. It also offers synched cloud-based storage (2GB for free, more if you pay). It also has a sign online feature, so you can sign documents using a keyboard, mouse or mobile touch screen. www.yousendit.com/
Dropbox is a file-sharing and synching site, which offers 2GB storage for free, and paid subscriptions up to 100GB. Dropbox also keeps a one-month history of your work as part of its free subscription. www.dropbox.com
Google docs are web-based documents that are stored on the cloud and can be shared with other users. Google docs can be subscribed to as part of Google Apps, which includes Gmail accounts, Google Calendar, and Google Sites. Sites lets you create a secure website with controlled access where you can store and share documents. docs.google.com
Web conference tools
There are numerous tools specifically designed for web-based business meetings. These tools allow you to share your screen, so your participants can see on their screen what you see on yours. You can share spreadsheets and other documents, images and video, and demonstrate software programmes.
For lists of web-conferencing services, see web conferencing tools and more web conferencing tools.
Online whiteboards
Online whiteboards are real-time collaborative tools where all users can write and, in many cases, draw on their own screen and it is immediately visible and usable to other users on their screens. Check out Dabbleboard www.dabbleboard.com/ and Scribblar www.scribblar.com/
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