This document discusses and compares potential collaboration tools for a group project. It analyzes Google Drive, Skype, smartphones, iLearn, and Facebook. For each tool, it lists pros and cons. It concludes that the best tools for the group are Google Drive for sharing files and collaborating online, smartphones for quick communication, and iLearn for sharing files amongst group members who are SFSU students.

1. “Padres”
SFSU ISYS 363 – Fall 2013 – Section #1

2. Introduction:
Possible Collaboration Tools
• Google Drive – Online Application: Allows real time
changes, everywhere access, and has an Optical Character
Recognition
• Skype – Online and mobile application: Provides
messaging, audio conferencing, as well as video conferencing.
• Smart Phone – Hardware Device: Integrated software built
in to allow third-party applications, audio, video, messaging, and
internet access
• iLearn – Web Portal: Online website that allows multiple
users to log in simultaneously and view uploaded documents
• Facebook – Web Portal and Mobile Application:
Market leader in the connection of mass amounts of global users,
living in diverse geographic locations also provides real-time updates,
instant messaging, and video messaging as well.

3. Introduction
• We decided to choose these collaboration tools in particular
primarily to choose some that we are familiar with, as well as to
diversify the tools
• Each one of these tools are unique in their own way and
provide a similar but not exact group experience that can
benefit the work that needs to be done
• In a few of these tools, an account is necessary, which can
have its ups and downs
• For the phone, it is an expensive price, though has a wide
range of capabilities though also requires a contract with a
wireless service provider.
• Internet is also a big feature that is needed to colloborate in
almost all group projects which is tied to having WI-FI or a
modem and router set up

4. Google Drive
Pros
• Can collaborate using many
types of software not just
text and word based
programs
• Easy to use and share with
others is a selected group
through computers or smart
devices that have
downloaded the app
• Can easily access and
make changes to
documents uploaded onto
Google Drive
Cons
• Must have Internet Access
• Must have a Google email
and be signed up for the
service
• Must have a computer or
smart device to use

5. Skype
Pros
• Two or more parties can
communicate with each other
via the internet while also
being seen and heard
• Skype is relatively cheap with
unlimited minute
subscriptions
• Skype is easy to install and
does not require much
configuration
Cons
• Access to the internet is
required for Skype to work
• It lacks features such as call
return and call blocking
• Skype calls can not be
recorded without a third
party software. Many
people prefer to look back
on a conversation for details
as you could with a text
based service.

6. Smart Phones
Pros
• Smart phones do not require internet
access for communication
• Talking over the phone can be a much
easier, quicker and more personal way
to communicate
• Most Smart Phones these days do
offer internet access and apps so you
are able to send texts, files and even
video messages from your phone at
any time and place
Cons
• Smart Phones may not need internet access
but they do need cell service, and some
locations have bad reception making it
difficult or impossible to receive phone calls
or text messages
• Smart phones may be too personal for
certain people who do not which to be
flooded with calls or text messages all day
and would rather have important matters be
dealt with over e-mail, which they can read
and respond to at a time they choose
• Talking over the phone also may not be the
most convenient form of communication
when dealing people from different parts of
the country or the world. People live in
different time zones, so finding a good time
for both parties to talk on the phone might be
difficult to coordinate and e-mail seems more
reasonable. Also, making long-distance
international calls can be very pricey.

7. iLearn
Pros
• iLearn can be used
anywhere as long as you
are a student of SFSU.
• On iLearn, documents can
be posted on the forums for
each other which allows you
to send documents to
others without knowing their
email.
• iLearn sends notifications to
email when new posts are
posted on the forums.
Cons
• Although iLearn can be
used anywhere, you must
have access to the internet.
• Members part of the group
must be active on the
forums or check forums
frequently or it will be hard
to communicate with each
other.
• Not able to having the ability
to have instant group
messaging.

8. Facebook
Pros
• Over 800 million people are using
it. Facebook becomes to a large
business market.
• People create and join fan pages
everyday.
• Like, Comment, and Share can
be spread on the internet.
• Link your Facebook to your
website Facebook can greatly
improve your search engine.
Cons
• Time and resources is one of the
biggest drawbacks of having a
Facebook page. People won’t
automatically follow you if you
don’t manage your page well.
You need to find customers
yourself.
• Slow Burn sometimes building
your fan base can have bad
effect.
• Commitment lack of interaction
on Facebook and not publishing
regular content can reflect very
poorly on a business.

9. Winners
For our project the forms of communication that we
will most likely be using are
• Google Drive: Google drive will be a good way for our group
to share our projects and collaborate
• Cell Phones: Cell phones are a great way to communicate
quickly with group members in order to determine when and where
we will meet, and to be able to discuss our project on the go.
• iLearn: iLearn is also another good way to share files between
group members and is frequently checked amongst SFSU
students.

10. Sources
• "Pros and Cons of Using Facebook for
Business." Dara Creative. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.daracreative.ie/blog/online-
marketing/pros-and-cons-of-using-facebook-for-
business/>.