SFSU ISYS 363 - Fall 2013 Section #1 - Buccaneers Task #1

1. SFSU ISYS 363
Fall 2013
Section #01
Group: Buccaneers

2. Introduction
The five group collaboration tools we chose to examine
are Skype for audio/video conferencing, Google Docs
for online applications, Outlook for email and chat,
Social Media, and I-Learn for collaboration.
Criteria:
● A program that is easily accessible through the
internet and is multiplatform.
● Needs to be free of charge and offer cloud storage.

3. Introduction (cont’d)
● Our team has to be able to communicate easily in a
group.
● Files must be available to upload and view at any
time.
● The program should offer a wide variety of tools to
create and edit projects.
● The program should be user friendly and easy to
operate.

4. Skype - Audio/Video
Conferencing
Pros:
● Skype is one of the cheapest VoIP service available.
● Skype offers unlimited minute subscription.
● The Skype software also offers instant messaging (IM).
Cons:
● Skype is light on features.
● It lacks call return.
● Skype blocks calls.

5. Google Drive - Online Apps
Pros:
● Google drive is free and stored in the cloud.
● You can create new files like word documents, spreadsheets,
presentations, forms, and drawings, or upload existing files.
● It is always up to date as you can make changes to a file in one place
and it automatically updates everywhere.
● Documents are safe, secure, and sharable.
Cons:
● There are not as many editing features in the word document
program.
● Presentations are limited in themes and designs.
● Must sign up for a Google account for access to create documents.

6. Social Media: Facebook/Twitter
Pros:
● Facebook is worldwide and we are able to connect with people from
other countries.
● Social media is quick and easy to use and can communicate directly
with coworkers or friends.
● Small businesses can use Facebook to advertise the business.
Cons:
● Not business oriented, social media is too casual.
● People can access your private information.
● May reduce the amount of face-to-face communication we have with
one another, diminishing on interpersonal communication skills.

7. Outlook - Email/Chat
Pros:
● Easy to use, easily accessible through smartphones, laptops, or
computers, and available 24/7
● You stay in the know by linking your social media networks such as
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and others and get the latest updates
automatically
● Has a built-in calendar you can utilize to tap others about
appointments or meetings as well as yourself for reminders.
Cons:
● Need to be logged on all the time to get notifications
● Not everyone checks their emails or notifications as frequently as
others, so there is a sometimes a delay for replies or responses
● Not everyone has a smartphone or internet connection 24/7 to
access Outlook.

8. I-Learn - Online Collaboration
Pro:
● Easy to use and navigate (Intuitive Software)
● Instant Messaging available (Group Forum)
● Available 24/7
● High security environment Web Site
● Fast respond from ilearn Support
Cons:
● Requires be student of SFSU (Intranet website)
● Requires internet access with security password
● No video conferencing
● Sometime slow navigation in the website (depending of how many
people are using the intranet)

9. Winners!!
● Everyone has a Gmail account, so email will be used as
this group's primary mode of communication.
● Google drive allows for each group member to view
and edit the group’s in-process document.
● Google Presentation is easy to use, easy to edit, and
you can see real time changes made by others.
○ You can also see who is editing the file if more
than one person has it open at the same time.
Google
Drive
Gmail

10. References
Skype:
http://voip-service-review.toptenreviews.com/skype-review.html
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/3816716/
The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Skype-for-Business.htm
Google docs:
http://www.google.com/drive/about.html
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/, https://twitter.com/, http://instagram.com/
Outlook:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/
iLearn:
https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/local/hub/index.php