eLearning Service

I am trying out some of the free social (sharable) software at 37Signals.   Some of the offerings have upgraded versions for a monthly charge, but you can easily get started — and maybe continue to be happy with — the free versions.  Right now I am using Backpack for a business purpose and Ta-Da List, always free, for a personal “to do” list as I plan for an upcoming event. 

But what I want to talk about in this post is Writeboard.  Writeboard is always free, and you can create multiple boards and invite as many people to collaborate with you as you please.  If you are going to create a number of Writeboards, 37Signals suggests that you use the Backpack service to organize them in one place.

Each Writeboard has a URL so it can be accessed from any computer at any time using a web browser.  Three browsers are guaranteed compatible with Writeboard: Internet Explorer 6.x, Safari, or Firefox. You sign up (it’s quick and easy) for an account with each product you want to use and get started immediately. 

Here are some things you can do with Writeboard:

• Copy and paste into it (but not import)
• Invite others and share your writeboard and its development – the software tracks edits and marks versions
• Easily follow changes and compare versions — guided by color coding
• Return to any previous version
• Send yourself or others any version of a Writeboard via email or export it to a text file
• Leave comments without editing the Writeboard, allowing you to collaborate and discuss potential changes
• Subscribe to the Writeboard using RSS and be notified anytime anyone makes a change

I have had projects in the past for which I really could have used this.  Working with colleagues and/or committees whose members are scattered to plan or develop a workshop, presentation, or event seems a natural.