Online Applications - Week 11

Chorus - Well, I have posted as a contributor on Google Docs to nswpln an example of a roster that others in my team, (in this case my church team) can add to. And that is the great advantage that Google Docs has, even over Wikis in my opinion, even though the idea is similar. As the video so well illustrates, and sells me on completely, instead of doing it 'the old way' -(sending everyone the roster as an attachment via email, then getting availability or changes back, then having to then resend the updated version, or ring those affected, and of course there is always the chance someone is going to refer to the wrong roster); we could now have the one document placed by me, the coordinator, and all others invited add their preferred 'shifts', which I can view at any time and tweak until the final version is there. And even then any changes can be swapped during the roster period rather than ring everyone, all participants just need to check before the weekend.
Distortion- The only inconvenience I can see with this approach is that each contributor that i want to include in my roster or other 'project' has to join and have a google (ie gMail) account as when they get the 'link' sent by me they do have to log in their account name and password on the site before they can see the document and add to it. I can see it could be a difficulty to get everyone to join google when they are used to getting a word type attachment and not having to be very internet savvy. This shouldn't be a problem for work situations though.
Reverb- Libraries can easily take advantage of Google Docs. A progressive library can maybe start letting all staff have an input on putting themselves on the desk roster when they are available and saving the admin staff some rostering headaches. I t would 'save trees' if the location of the desk roster was on everyones' google docs link, and check it each day for changes due to staff sickness, etc.
Also i can see a huge advantage when library staff from different branches, or even across councils are doing a joint project. Say for example, the recent planning for the HLS Group Seniors seminar at the State Library. One central place on Google docs sent to all 'planners' of the seminar, who add in their suggestions for speakers, timetables and themes, until the final program is agreed upon.