Tech support rap

no so lively now!

Sadly, just as we were having a bit of fun with it, Google has decided to pull the plug on its virtual world "lively". Lots of suggestions have been made regarding its inflexibility in terms of user customisation, etc, but interesting to see an example of a virtual world being extinguished. 

How many more of the 'beta' tools that are in widespread use at the moment will ultimately be withdrawn?

Desktop videoconferencing and more for free

Adobe Connect is a powerful system built on Flash which is used for a range of communications and training purposes. It can provide desktop videoconferencing with multiple participants including document and desktop sharing and has already made quite an impact in the commercial sector. However, it is expensive to run a full system and hence its uptake in education has been pretty constrained by budgetary limitations. Adobe have now, however, provided a limited free option called "Adobe Connect Now" which let's you host small meetings (maximum size three participants) but this might be enough for simple communication and tutor/technical support. The advantage over many other systems is that being built on Flash means that most browsers can handle it without additional software downloads or installations. If you have a webcam and microphone you can be up and running in seconds.

To give it a try visit http://www.adobe.com/acom/connectnow/ 

Crunch 2.0

Now that reality is dawning in the world of global finance, what of the ultimate in 'Emporer's New Clothes', those companies that base their value on the promise of profit 'some day real soon'  and in the meantime do little other than shuffle electrons?  Or Web 2.0 start-ups to be more specific. Well Tim O'Reilly and Al Gore have been discussing the issue at the Web 2.0 summit in San Francisco, as reported on the BBC website. In summary? Time for folks to get serious with applications that have real value and make a needed contribution and a space for alternative revenue models to the dominant advertising approach whose returns are dropping in value with the plethora of sites available.

(Photo: James Duncan Davidson - attribution details)

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008

Jane Hart has published her top 100 tools for learning for 2008. This is based on contributions from 223 learning professionals worldwide. Top of the list is del.icio.us, the social bookmarking tool, followed by Firefox, down one from last year.

The list is also organised by category: Web Browers, Social Bookmarking, RSS Tools etc. The top (most popular) FREE tools in 25 categories is also available.