web applications

Google’s new wave collaboration tool looks exceptional

While I recommend that you watch this entire video, I’ve configured it to start at the spell checker feature, as it is an example of what is so truly amazing about this application.  Forget about what you know about spell checkers.  This is skynet re-purposed to spell check.  In addition to the usual social networking uses, I imagine students with similar academic interests finding each other and collaborating within and outside the application.  Doing away with our under-performing bulletin board so as to have a more rich ongoing conversation with busy staff is also appealing.

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Clockspot: online timeclock

Clockspot is an online timeclock  that we began using in the center after demo-ing several other applications that we rejected because they were too expensive, offered too many or too few features for our purposes, were too complicated, or had poor user interface (UI) design.  Clockspot won out because it was simple to use, does what we need it to do, and is relatively inexpensive given the amount of time saved doing payroll.  The UI is such that we only needed to provide training-by-walking-around.  We only use it as a straight timeclock and do not use the project or task timing functions.  Clockspot has a pretty robust website that describes its features and also has an online demo so I’m not going to go on too long about it.  We have been using it for about six months now and it does the trick.  Three downsides that I’ve experienced is that the application has had one server outage that took a day to work through, support staff is mostly only available by email, and their billing model is geared towards credit card payments.  They will accept PO’s with some prodding. So far these experiences aren’t numerous or egregious enough to be dealbreakers.  If you’re using another time tracker  that you like please recommend in the comments.

Update:  On a scale of 1-5, my get your act together indicator moved from 2 to 3.2.  Nevertheless, not yet regretting my purchase.

Update: Clockspot now has auto invoicing with email notification.

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Meeting Planner & Timesaver

Just discovered this web application, Diarised, that allows you to arrange a few meeting times, enter an email list of potential attendees, and invite them to indicate their availability.  Log into their website to see who can make it when and to confirm the best times all in one shot.  This saves countless emails and return calls.  Diarised is cost free and requires no registration.  Tried it and it couldn’t have been easier.

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