Productivity Tools (#19)

I uploaded and shared 3 documents using Google docs, experimented with spreadsheets and presentations, and previewed a lot of templates (am trying out a couple of the budgeting types).
Spreadsheets and presentations don't have as many options as Microsoft apps, but they are pretty good, and not difficult to use. Some of the functions seemed rather slow - especially converting a presentation from Google presentation format to Powerpoint. I checked out the process for posting a document to my blog, although I didn't actually use it to post this.
I've seen Google Calendar features in various websites, and it seems very good for combining a number of separate calendars into a composite calendar, with options to view individual or combined versions, in different formats. Some friends use it to maintain the calendar for a network of English country dance groups http://www.danceflurry.org/new/calendar.html.

I looked at Zoho writer and several of the other tools listed, but haven't set up accounts at this point. So many passwords already!

Wiki world (#15-16)

I made additions to the NCL2.0 wiki, including a blog; font changes; and a language translation gadget. The page is interesting in Japanese or Chinese translation (but the spacing gets strange).

I've found wikis useful in the past for project team work, meeting/conference preparation and other things that involve a variety of people who may be in different locations. Some of the special interest divisions of library organizations (SLA comes to mind first) use wikis as a central place for activities and documents of the group. Conference wikis can include everything from program planning to tourist information, all in one place. It's a great tool for gathering/sharing/ organizing feedback in the process of product design; team members can look at the latest version of a design or a concept (or presentation, etc) on the site, and comment and discuss in a central area. Having all the project related things (documents, calendars, schedules, etc) on the same site is a great advantage.
Maybe a wiki could be useful when the library's website is going thru enhancements, to share and collect/discuss proposed changes and design concepts, etc -- in addition to meetings.
It will be interesting to think of other ways they could be used --- maybe a large, active book group could find a simple wiki useful (?)