Category: tools

5 Advantages of Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud computing solution that is quick and easy to use and has many advantages

1 – Using multiple computers
Working with multiple computers becomes very easy. Just setup your additional computers or login at dropbox online. If you use an iPad or iPhone for example you can identify these as additional devices that will have access to your files· Once you have linked your computers you will have access to the Dropbox files even if your 2nd computer is not connected to the Internet as long as the upload / download process has been completed.

When you use a computer at the library, the lab, the office or public kiosk – all you have to do is go to www.dropbox.com and login to your account and your files are immediately available to you. No more need to carry around files on a flash drive.

Your files are available on your iPad, your iPhone or any computer that has internet access.

2 – Backing up your files
Use Dropbox as a reliable backup system for your files. As you write and edit files continue to save your files in the Dropbox folder and sub folders and you will automatically backing up your files.

3 – Moving to new computer
When you move to a new computer it is often a hassle transferring your files. Using dropbox makes this much easier since you have access to your files from any computer.

4 – Collaborating on projects
Sharing your folder with individuals on your team is simple. You click on SHARE you can invite one or more people by entering their email addresses. Once they have registered with Dropbox they will be able to see the folder or file you are sharing and view, download or edit it. Dropbox keeps versions of your files so you are always able to see the version history.

Collaborating on a project becomes easier. When you share a folder with one or more persons everyone can upload and view files in the folder.

5 – Sharing Files
Dropbox makes it easy to share files with your friends and colleagues. There are automatic folders setup in dropbox if you want to use for public sharing of files or documents. Each document has a unique URL that you can use to share individual files. This can even be used as a URL for playing a video that you have stored in a Dropbox folder.

Getting Setup with Dropbox
Create your account at http://www.dropbox.com and do the very quick installation. This sets up dropbox as a folder on your computer.

Add some or all of your folders. You have 2GB of free space and there are option to buy extra space if you need it.

Just create a folder, then invite one or more friends to share the folder. You can setup the SHARE option either on your computer – or from your online dropbox.

They will be able to view the files online in their browser or download them or copy to another folder on their computer, It works well for sharing photos as there is a slideshow view mode.

As you create new files – add them to your dropbox folder on your desktop.

You get 2GB of free space when you start your account and if you need more space there are monthly and yearly payment plans. Each time you invite and a person starts up a Dropbox account then you get an additional 1GB of space added to your account.

There are many cloud solutions available but I have found Dropbox to be easy to use and offers solutions that are useful tools in your internet strategies.

If you have some creative ways that you use Dropbox to make your computing life easier please add your comments.

Additional help:
Dropbox introductory video and setup https://www.dropbox.com

About the Author:

Denise Davies works with non-profits and small businesses to plan and implement internet and media strategies that are effective in growing your audience, increasing donations, building your network, creating a credible web presence and providing education and training to use Internet and media tools effectively.

Adding a Table to a WordPress Blog

How to insert a TABLE into a WordPress blog posting.

A couple of people have asked about if it is possible to add a TABLE to a WordPress Blog and how to do it.

It is quite simple:

  • Write your content in a MS Word document and make the table that you want there as usual (Insert – Table)
  • Then start your Blog posting and write any introductory text
  • Do a COPY of your table in Word (Ctrl+C) – and then go to your blog.  On the edit icons click on the “Paste from Word” and paste your table in your blog.
Word press - add a table using "Paste as Word"
Word press - add a table using "Paste as Word"
  • If you look at the HTML tab you will see that all the coding is done to create a table in your blog.  Click on the PREVIEW button to preview your posting.
  • NOTE – if you do not see the 2nd row of icons in your post editor, click on the last icon “Show / hide the kitchen sink” – this gives you the additional row of editing icons.
Show Kitchen Sink Icon
Wordpress - Show Kitchen Sink Icon

Example (this is from an upcoming blog comparing the 2 versions of WordPress.  This shows what a three column table looks like –>

Feature WordPress.org WordPress.com
Cost WordPress is free but you pay for hosting from some 3rd party hosting company Free.  Hosted by wordpress.com no charge for hosting or setting up and running blog
Ease of use Having some experience with wordpress.com is helpful.  Many of the widgets and plugins have to be installed to get the same functionality as on wordpress.com Comes with the most commonly used widgets and themes.  Easy to learn to use and administer.

Denise Davies is an Internet and media consultant.  She works with nonprofit organizations and small businesses to maximize their effective use of the Internet to build their organization and achieve their objectives.  If you have questions or would like to learn more contact through the contact form

5 Ways to Use Online Conferencing

Online conferencing has come a long way over the past few years. Review of GVO Conference its benefits and suggestions on how to use it for your organization or business to save time, money and reach out to clients, staff, volunteers, board members and sponsors. Share powerpoints, online video, chat and more.

online conferencing as a piece of the puzzleOnline conferencing has come a long way over the past few years. I have been reviewing Online Conferencing software from GVO Conference and its set of tools really expands the variety of ways that you can use it to maximize the value to you and your business or organization.

As with any new technology review the tool and get familiar with how to use it – then examine your target audience and your communications strategy to see where this fits and how you can adapt and integrate it into your marketing and communications.

5 Ways to Use Online Conferencing

  • Online Seminars:  Decide on a topic that you want to present.  GVO includes the ability to upload a powerpoint presentation and also to share videos inside the conference room.  You can choose to mute the visitors to the seminar and then open the chat for questions and answers.
  • Staff and Board Meetings:  Your staff may be out on a project, your board members may be located anywhere in the world, your volunteers need to meet without the inconvenience of travel – online conferencing software saves you time and money and you are able to setup up your meetings and keep everyone connected and participating no matter where they are located.
  • Tutorials:  Record your online seminar – or record a tutorial with no attendees on topics that are useful to your staff, volunteers, board members, clients and customers.  These may be topics that you have as frequently asked questions.  What are the questions you get often?  Tutorials don’t have to be long.  A short tutorial on a specific topic is a great way to add value to your different audiences.
  • Interviews:  You can use the conference software to interview people.  GVO allows you to have more than one moderator at a session.  This is a great way to collaborate and build interest and value for your audience
  • Information products:  The ability to record your sessions gives you a start on creating information products such as detailed seminars on DVD, CD or for download that you would charge for.

Features of GVO Conferencing

You can do any of these and more:

  • You can be visible in video to your audience
  • You can present in audio while showing powerpoint, video, chat or sharing a desktop
  • Upload and show a powerpoint – and easy controls for presenting your powerpoint
  • Upload videos or show videos directly from YouTube
  • Have ongoing chat with members
  • Invite people to a seminar or meeting – with no setup required on their side
  • Easy audio and video controls
  • Able to record your session for later play back and editing
  • Manage attendees
  • MANY more features

Benefits of GVO Conferencing

Just a few of the benefits:

  • Save travel time for you and your attendees
  • Reach a global or local audience
  • Develop content
  • Save on communications costs
  • Develop training tools

I plan to use this myself for online seminars and meetings. Very impressed with the online tutorials that are provided and the information sessions that are available.

This online system costs a FRACTION of other online conferencing software that I have tried before and has many many more benefits and plus features.    They also have a free trial period and you can attend any of the info sessions.   There is no locked in timing on a subscription.  There is a bit of a learning curve on it as is to be expected but all the tools are there and after you learn to navigate it only your imagination and planning will be required to use it to benefit your business or organization.

 

GVO Online Conference
Link to GVO FREE TRIAL

This link goes to a short video and overview to give you more details and screen shots of the GVO Conference system.  Try the free trial version.

Denise Davies is an Internet and media consultant.  She works with nonprofit organizations and small businesses to maximize their effective use of the Internet to build their organization and achieve their objectives.  If you have questions or would like to learn more contact through the contact form