I think Dave Pollard’s email rules would reduce the weight of my inbox by about 2 thirds.

For social bookmarking, I use del.iciou.us. It fits all my web 2.0 criteria – it’s free, easy to use, and comes with a handy “Tag It” extension for the Firefox browser. They also do the same browser button extension for Internet Explorer.

In the UK non-profit sector we need to do more to talk up the benefits of sharing info via tagging. Personally I use ‘ictchamp’ to tag work stuff. I’m not sure if we have a tag for UK circuit riding yet – need to get back to you on that.

Made me wonder Miles, what is your social bookmarking acount? Do you follow the nptech tag? Is there a UK one? Just wondering how best to pass along good finds like this?

My Office replacement experience was using ThinkFree http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo which I still use from time to time. I found it useable, although a little clunky at times, guess I should give it another whirl.

I can see the usefulness to a point, i.e. you need access to docs on a random PC (internet cafe, client site etc.) or in a situation where someone has a PC with no installed software… but then would they have a broadband connection ? Maybe ? Would it be better to slap Open Office on the machine.

Questions, Questions!

Guess it will come down to usability

Keep me posted

You’re quite right, there are lots of valid concerns about bandwidth, confidentiality, access to one’s data and sustainability of the hundreds of web 2.0 services springing up. In the long term, as web 2.0 matures, it may well be that these online tools have the potential to help people on the wrong side of the ‘digital divide’ access services and resources.

Right now, the aim of the experiment is to find out (a) how easy and practical it is to switch to online working (b) could these new online tools be applied to small business needs?

BTW – which mail client did you switch to?

I was talking to people a couple of months ago about ditching Outlook, and indeed any “installed” mail client in favour of an on-line version. It did seem a daunting prospect so I salute you for this experiment ! I’ve also tried out online word processing programs in the past to work on documents at home/work/client and found them very usable.

My only hesitation is for front line groups to take up this over proprietry software is around bandwidth if you have many users and in areas with poor or no broadband. Also some users may be reluctant with the fact their confidential documents are on a server in the middle of the US desert and not on the box on their desk!

Go for it though Miles!
Paul Webster