Thing 9: Collaboration Tools

I've been a regular user of Google docs for a couple of years. I find it a great place to keep works in progress such as memos, creative writing, blog posts, reference letters, and other musings. It's convenient to be able to access it while I'm at the reference desk, at home, or at the public library. Otherwise, I have a tendency to not do any work-related writing unless I'm sitting in my office. One test for me is if a tool adds to my productivity and sense of organization and accomplishment versus being another source of distraction. Google docs definitely falls into the first category. I was impressed with the larger number of features offered by Zoho writer (judging by all the icons at the top). However, to be realistic, I'm more likely to use Google docs because my personal e-mail is gmail and when I chat it's with Google chat. I will share both tools with my writing group.

I have done collaboration on a proposal with a colleague in a distant state. Google docs worked well for that. I found the editing exercise both frustrating and annoying. Not so much fun for Bunny.