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Try out Google Docs new demo that lets you write collaboratively with your favorite dead famous writers. Then you get to save and share your creation. As Next Web explains: A "famous writer" will start typing and then it's your turn. Once you've typed in the next line, the writer takes over

Portable Document Format (PDF) is the de facto standard for the secure and reliable distribution and exchange of electronic documents and forms around the world. CutePDF Writer is the free version of commercial PDF converter software. CutePDF Writer installs itself as a "printer subsystem".

Long regarded as a practice reserved for the vain who can't get a book deal, self publishing has finally become a financially viable and respectable option for writers world over. Even the professionals are doing it - so how is the paradigm shift affecting the publishing world, and how much money can a writer expect to earn from going solo?

"This week on Tech Weekly with games editor Keith Stuart we take a look at an emerging trend in games, where smartphones and cutting-edge robotics are used to create more socially inclusive and dynamic games. Joining Keith is Guardian writer Alex Hern; Iain Simons, director of the GameCity festival; and Jonathan Smith, games producer for Lego. The panel discuss why the screen is only a part of the gaming experience - and why small-scale, cheap robotics will open up a new world for developers. Also this week: Guardian tech writer Samuel Gibbs meets Ian Bernstein, co-creator of the robotic toy ball the Sphero, to find out about the evolution of the robot in gaming."

Interesting discussion about the future of gaming beyond 'the screen'.

Minecraft is a game enjoyed by many but it also has a lot of potential for use in the classroom. The post lists some of the writers ideas for various subjects.

Wow what a great chrome extension. This looks like a great tool for all writers. I especially like the 'collect highlights' tool. Make sure you watch the accompanying video to see how it works.  Read&Write for Google Docs is a cool extension I found on Web App Reviews that can benefit ELLs and struggling readers. The extension provides you with a special toolbar on the top of your Google documents.

Expressions of Interest for the Australian Curriculum: Technologies curriculum writers and advisory group members

"A podcast, hosted by two science teachers, that discusses science news and science education by interviewing leading scientists, researchers, science writers and other important figures in the field. "

Sounds a bit like another coupla guys, but on a different theme? ;-)

"Zopler is a social network where writers, authors and students can easily collaborate on writing stories together as a group."

inklewriter is a free tool designed to allow anyone to write and publish interactive stories. It's perfect for writers who want to try out interactivity, but also for teachers and students looking to mix computer skills and creative writing.

"... despite how crucial GitHub is to the developer toolbox, I'm constantly wondering why the platform is limited to just code. It's not a stretch to imagine the usefulness of a similar platform for non-developers - authors, teachers, students - though as much as I search, I can't seem to find one. So I'm building it myself. I'm building a GitHub for everyone else."

A series of articles explains how GitHub could be easily adapted for a class as way to share and update documents; an open model of learning.

This looks like it could be a good tool to get students enthusiastic about publishing online magazines of their own. I a wondering if I can get some of our writers and reviewers to create a magazine for the library..

I presented twice at a great two day conference in Melbourne called 'Arresting Audiences'. The irony of the title not lost on this writer as the real intention of the event run by Film Victoria (a traditional film funding organisation) was commendable - finally focus on 'users', 'watchers', 'participants' aka as old school 'audiences'. Most of the talks explored new marketing, basic demography and obligatory future trends with a couple of inspirational 'write for your inner audience' highlight talks from the likes of Jane 'buffy/BSG' Espenson, but I was asked to look at the social and transmedia aspects that affect and impact on audiences/communities so below is:

By Bill Moggridge. Free ebook and video interviews with famous web developers, writers, designers, and pundits. For example, Chris Anderson, Mark Zuckerberg, Craig Newmark, Jimmy Wales, and many others.

"Gamification" describes turning real-world situations into games. Gamification is a neologism -- a newly invented term that's becoming commonly used. The word gamification was likely born in the realm of casual conversation to convey the idea of turning something into a game. People like entrepreneur and author Gabe Zichermann, though, have given gamification its own unique definition. Zichermann, a respected authority on gamification and its applications, defines the term as "the process of using game thinking and mechanics to engage audiences and solve problems." In short, he describes gamification as "non-fiction gaming."

In his 2010 book "Game-Based Marketing," co-authored with writer Joselin Linder, Zichermann defines a related term he coined: funware.

"Since buying an iPad 2, one of the questions I'm asked most frequently is if it can completely take the place of a computer. I'm not surprised people are asking that, as it's the same thing I was asking before I bought it. As a writer, I'm literally on my computer from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. Could an iPad really do everything I need it to?"

Grammarly makes you a better writer by finding and correcting up to 10 times more mistakes than your word processor.