Need to send Large Files?

Now I know this doesn't really have much to do with e-learning but it is a piece of useful technology that I tell all my clients about and it's free!

If you've ever tried to send anything via email larger than a couple of Mb, you may have problems. This can be due to a number of reasons, mainly because either your email client or the receiver's email client could be set at a limit to ease the transfer of data into the internal networks, but also because of the way email works, you may get delivery issues. Email works by splitting your message into tiny packets of data with a header that ties them all together and reorganises them at the other end. When you send huge files say a PowerPoint presentation of say 50Mb, the chances for missing or corrupted packets, or slow delivery increases.

So enter this great piece of software that makes this process easy. Yousendit.com You have to register, but then it allows you to send files up to 100Mb. Of course if you need to password protect ("encrypt") the files, you may have to pay for a subscription, but if it's regular files the free service is so handy. Here's how it works. You browse to your file and upload it to Yousendit's server. You tell them what email address to send it to and they simply email your recipient to let them know the link to the file that they need to pick up within 7 days. The recipient then clicks on the link at their end and wait whilst the file downloads from Yousendit's server. Simple! Tell your friends!

Virtual Meetings for Technophobes

I have never been described as IT literate by those who know me. In the last 3 years I have gone through 4 computers - the experts have never been able to diagnose the problem, it seems that the computers would just rather not work with me. It's not that I am scared of technology - in fact it's quite the opposite - I think I expect too much. I also have a nasty habit of pressing buttons for no reason other than to see what happens. This often results in a program freeze, which I hastily attempt to solve by pressing yet more buttons therefore making the situation worse.

I'm sure that you would suggest that a person of my disposition should not attempt an online meeting with a prospective customer, however I agreed to step up to the mark. It was described as the 'perfect learning opportunity' by my colleagues, who quickly showed me the basics of an 'easy to use' internet based meeting package and left me to it. I was worried, but my fears were unfounded. http://www.gotomeeting.com/ is simple in its design and layout therefore enabling the meeting host (in this case me) look like the professional they hope to one day be. You can use the package to run a conference call but for one-to-one meetings this service is not necessary. Meetings are set up through outlook and each party is given a link and a meeting code that they can use to log in when ready. The package enables meeting participants to view the hosts pc screen from the comfort of their own seats. The host can then pass control of the mouse to those wishing to try things for themselves. http://www.gotomeeting.com/ is perfect for demonstrating the useability of any IT package.