Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

  • Free 2GB of web-based (cloud) storage. Additional storage available at a cost. Can earn 250 MB of additional storage by referring people.
  • Multi-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, ipod, ipad, android, etc.)
  • Install the dropobox folder on any eligible device and the files will automatically synch so that the most current version is available whenever or wherever it is accesed.
  • Dropbox not installed? Access www.dropbox.com and sign-in to your account to retrieve or save files.
  • Provides auto back-up of files with 30 days to undelete or retrieve previous versions of files.
  • File-sharing and collaboration is possible through public folders and permission levels.
  • Students limited to storage at school (50 MB in my school). Direct students to access the website and save files to the cloud and not install it on the school network. When they access dropbox from home, the files will have synched to their home computer and any other device in which they have installed dropbox.

Cha-Cha
www.chacha.com

  • Ask essentially any question and receive a personalized/conversational answer usually in less that one minute
  • Text question to 242242, ask via the website, or call toll-free.
  • Available 24/7, but in the US only.
  • Over 1 billion questions answered to date, approximately 21 million unique users/month.
  • Free service, but loaded with ads. The business is identified as an advertising company in business profiles.
  • Guides are paid and trained, and there are various levels (generalist, specialist, expeditor, and transcriber). Must be 18 years or older, fluent in English, have a US mailing address and be authorized to work in the US, have high speed internet available, but mainly - LOVE to research online and write.
  • Inappropriate questions will not be answered.
  • Any type of question is acceptable, but fact-based questions are more likely to get complete and usable answers. Also, limit questions to 160 characters for the best response.
  • Can get a quick check of weather and stocks with simple ChaCha commands.
  • Excellent resource when needing an answer to a question and a computer/Internet is not available.
  • Privacy concerns are an issue, but ChaCha maintains that they protect their users privacy at all costs.
  • No age limits listed.