Free Online Tools

1. Free Online Tools
Alex Brower
Alex.Brower@eagles.usm.edu

2. Free Online Tools
Allow patrons access to information and tools
with limited use of library resources.
Offer a wide variety of services to users.
Different categories of tools serve different
needs.
All online tools need to be evaluated before
endorsing their use to patrons.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

3. Categories of Online Tools
Word Processing and
Productivity
Social Networking
RSS News Feeds and
Aggregators
Photo Editing and
Sharing
Organization and
Planning
Social Bookmarking
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

4. Word Processing and
Productivity
Allow the user to create and edit documents, slide
shows, and spread sheets for free.
 Google Docs: Provided by Google, the user can
access their documents from any computer.
 ZohoWriter: Similar to Google Docs, but does not
require the user to set up an email account with the
provider.
 Pirate Pad: Allows all those working on a document to
type, edit, and see changes others have made
simultaneously.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

5. Social Networking Tools
These tools allow users to connect with other
users who may share similar interests.
 LinkedIn: Allows the user to connect with
professionals from different field from around the
world.
 GoodReads: Allows the user to see what other
users are reading and review books he or she
has read.
 Facebook: Allows the user to connect with
people and post statuses, pictures, and links.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

6. Photo Editing and Sharing
Tools
These tools allow the user to back up their
collection of photos online, edit the photos, and
share the photos with other users.
 Flickr: Allows the user to upload and share their
own photos as well as look at what other users
have posted.
 Fotobabble: Allows the user to upload photos
and then add narration.
 Fotoflexer: Allows the user to upload photos from
different sites and add effects, edit, and retouch
photos.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

7. RSS News Feeds and
Aggregators
Collects blog entries, news stories, and other
postings from pages that the user subscribes to
and presents these postings in one place.
 Feedly: Allows the user to easily search and add
pages, edit the order in which stories appear, and
share the collections.
 Alltop: Creates and RSS feed for the user, and
then gives the user a custom URL which can be
used to share the content from the site.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

8. Social Bookmarking Tools
These tools allow the user to bookmark sites and
access those sites all from one place.
 Delicious: Allows the user to create bookmarks
as well as explore popular stories on the site.
 Pinterest: Allows the user to collect “pins” with
information and ideas, and these pins can be
accessed at a later time and shared with other
users.
 Digg: Allows the user to bookmark sites and
videos.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

9. Organization and Planning
These tools allow the user to easily organize
activities and assignments online.
 My Punchbowl: Allows the user to create and
send online invitations.
 Remember the Milk: Allows the user to link
different calendars and lists and access them on
the site.
 Google Calendar: Allows the user to write down
and organize events on an online calendar.
10/8/2015Free Online Tools

10. Thank you for your
attention!
Are there any questions?
10/8/2015Free Online Tools