FolderShare, now owned by Microsoft, provides a P2P tool that shares and synchronizes files across multiple computers. For example, I have set up a set of “Babson” folders on my laptop and desktop and, after installing the free FolderShare software on each machine have nearly instantaneous replication and synchronization of the files and folder structure. Furthermore, folders can be shared with other registered FolderShare users. The rights of these users can be controlled: read only, read and update, add documents, add and delete documents, and manage user rights are all options. I’m working on a project with a friend, and rather than email files back and forth, we’ve used FolderShare to mirror the documents. FolderShare has a number of advantages over online file sharing tools: you don’t need to be online to access files, local files are fast and responsive, all Windows Explorer and OS/X Finder (yeah, there’s a Mac version of the client) functionality is maintained, and post-installation everything works quickly and automatically. There are, however, some disadvantages: FolderShare doesn’t handle collisions (copies are created with new names) or versioning, and deletions are more or less propagated to all machines. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to use FolderShare in conjunction with some backup or archiving software (we’re using CVS for that).

37Signals has a great product called Campfire. It’s a web-based chat application, allowing groups of users to easily talk and share files. Apparently, it’s fantastic. Unfortunately, it’s not free. I wanted to allow my entire section (all 65 or so of us) to potentially talk at the same time. Roomsays.com provides all that functionality, for free. Right now we’re using it to prep for a test tomorrow. People can ask and answer questions without sending out a group email, and we can post our cheat sheets in there, too. A few minor quibbles with the software: even if you’re already logged in to the site, you still need to reenter your password if you join a room as a registered user. Also, when you enter a room, you don’t see any of the earlier messages. But, honestly, how can you argue with free?

It’s not really software, but sometimes you need to be able to talk, not just IM. My groups have tried Skype, but having a real number to dial is sometimes easier. There are a number of similar services, but LifeOffice’s free teleconferencing worked well, didn’t require any personal information or credit card, and the sound quality is great. Combining conferencing with group text chat should work pretty well.

If you’re using Microsoft Word, the 2002 (XP) and later versions allow you send a document for review by email, and automatically merge the changes back in once you’ve received the updates. If you’re tired of trying to figure out who has the latest copy, it’s worth trying this tool.

Finally, for straight up general communication and document sharing there’s the myriad of blog tools. My wife has set up a private group blog for her PhD classmates on WordPress.com. Since they only meet once a week it’s been a great bonding tool and a handy way to share information.

You’ll note there are no Wikis and none of the purpose-built student applications. To be honest, they’re too geeky and too complicated. I have been using a combination of ScheduleWorld and the Funambol Outlook SyncML client to synchronize my Outlook/Exchange and Google calendars. Here’s where I learned to make it work. Totally geeky, but the upshot is you can all look here and see how busy I am.

But it’s not just Parrots who are surfing the Internet. Earlier this year, USA Today reported that Dutch zookeepers have set up webcams between their zoo and an orangutang center in Borneo.

Surprisingly, there don’t seem to be too many other instances of animals surfing the Internet (New Yorker Cartoon notwithstanding). I’d think that, for example, dogs or dolphins or other “smart” animals might enjoy something like Subservient Chicken. Maybe the next killer Internet application won’t even be for people.

Once the bugs are worked out, a few features I’d like:

• URL access to each table in XML form
• Views incorporating multiple tables
• RSS feeds and emails
• Integration with Zoho’s other web applications

Despite the problems, tech support has been very good about responding quickly to my bug reports. I hope to be using this great looking tool soon.

UPDATE: The great folks at Zoho technical support took a look at my project and were able to identify the likely culprit. I had been attempting to link two separate drop downs on one form to the data from a single form. That’s planned functionality, they say, but not implemented yet. I have an easy workaround for now, and a warm fuzzy feeling knowing what great support I get even from a free product. I like these guys! AAAAA++++++ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WOULD DO BUSINESS AGAIN!!!!!

Zoho Creator – Create web applications on your own.

Since its launch, Google Base has proven useful for both personal and business use. People have uploaded their favorite recipes, podcast links, events, personal profiles, clinical trial information, and even protein databases. And, as expected, a subset of Google Base items have been listed for sale. To improve the user experience for these item types, we’re planning to start letting people buy Google Base commercial items using their Google Accounts.

This strikes me as another, “it’s easy and cheap to do, so we might as well try” efforts by Google. Over the next few weeks we’ll see how much thought Google has put in to the challenges of web shopping. Craig Newmark asked some good questions of startup Edgeio and I think they apply here as well. In fact, Craigslist was in the news today–it’s being sued for bias in real estate ads. Clearly, the line between open bulletin board and publishing company is not yet well defined in the online world.

So, what are the competitive options for online personal or small business accounting? ePeachtree offers solutions starting at $150/year and only slightly more attractive than my bank’s website. Back in 2000. Juno Accounting is another aged-looking application starting at $330 per year.

There doesn’t seem to be much more for the individual. I found Chipcount ($26/year), fnCentral, mVelopes ($100/year), and ExpMan (not accepting new users).

A quick Technorati search yields one mention for Chipcount, 168 or so for mVelopes, and nothing relevant for ExpMan.

Frankly, I’m surprised. I’d expect in this always connected mobile world there would be more companies pushing simple online accounting or personal financial management software. At the very least where are all the bloggers looking for it? On the other hand, this could be a case of competing against “Excel and Post-Its”. I’ll be reviewing Chipcount and mVelopes over the next few weeks from a Web 2.0 usability perspective. In the meantime, please share your experiences with this sort of software.

Online web site builder, website software, homepage creator, personal ecommerce – CityMax.

TTCS OSSWIN CD – open source software for Windows

(via LifeHacker)

Yahoo! UI Library

(via BoingBoing)