Definitions

Office Suite Definition:

An office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite, is a collection of programs intended to be used by typical user and knowledge workers. The components are generally distributed together, have a consistent user interface and usually can interact with each other, sometimes in ways that the operating system would not normally allow [Wikipedia, March 2009].

Usual Components:

• Document creation and editing applications
  
• Word processor
• Spreadsheet
• Presentation program
• Flowchart
• Image processor
• Database

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Simple, fast download
• No upgrade hassles

Course Management Systems Definition:

A course management system (CMS) is software for delivering, tracking and managing training [Wikipedia, March 2009].

Online office suites:

• Google Docs — an online office suite from Google, Inc. The suite includes a word processor, a spreadsheet program, and a presentation editor.

• OpenGoo — an open source, fully featured online office suite. The application can be downloaded and installed on a server.

• ThinkFree Office — is an office suite, from ThinkFree, Inc., that includes a word processor (Write), a spreadsheet (Calc), and a presentation program (Show). For Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

• Zoho Office Suite — a free online office suite from AdventNet, Inc., that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, and collaboration groupware.
  

Let's Explore and Discover:
With your user name and password, subscribe to 2 or more of the online suites and/or course management systems. Examine several pages and determine what might work for you and your students.

Online Suites and CMS

1. NiceNet http://nicenet.org
2. Google Docs http://www.google.com
3. Sakai http://www.sakaiproject.org/portal
4. ATutor http://www.atutor.ca/
5. Class Central http://www.classcentral.com/
6. Zoho http://www.zoho.com/

Webslides: http://slides.diigo.com/widget/slides?sid=11119