Google Docs provides the users the ability to create documents, spread sheets, presentations and forms free of charge and in-tandum with other users.
In Plain English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA
Google’s Take: http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html
Google’s Ideas for What you can do with each type of document and “Getting Started Guides” for each one:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=49008
Strengths:
- free
- cross-platform
- embeds in blogs and wikis
- VERY similar to accepted word-processors and other programs
- Can be as PUBLIC or as PRIVATE as you want it to be
Weaknesses:
- does not have ALL the functions of the desk-top versions
- does not maintain higher-order formatting from Office and Word unless document is saved as a PDF file
- must be able to access it – sometimes schools make this difficult
Integr8! 