colaab - web based collaboration and communication in real time or your own time - 15 views
colaab.com
net308OUA collaboration communications web-meetings web-conferencing video-conferencing project-management AsynchronousCollaboration SynchronousCollaboration
shared by meryl olait on 30 Mar 10
- Cached
-
This app is far superior aesthetically. The UI is elegant and clean, with a rich interface thanks to Microsoft Silverlight 2
- ...1 more annotation...
-
Colaab is an online collaborative workspace where Health Practitioners, Recruitment Agencies, Event Managers, Retailers, Study Groups, Artists, Designers, Writers and Publishers can share, annotate and respond to images, videos, documents, audio and a wide variety of other files in real time [1]. Colaab has version tracking and audit-trail feedback allowing users to monitor creations, responses, edits and annotations immediately, without having to press the refresh button [1]. What makes Colaab distinctive from other online collaborative frameworks is the "DeepZoom" feature which allows users to instantly load a 50 mb file and then zoom right into one pixel of that file without any degradation of the image view [1]. Colaab has been tested on many of the popular web browsers and requires the web-browser plug-in; Microsoft Silverlight for its functionality [2]. Users can opt for the free 30 day trial and/or a tiered package that is priced to suit varying needs [1]. Secure (SSL) is available on the Ultimate 25GB package [3]. The Colaab dashboard has an intuitive, easy-to-use design and the tour is a great way to see the many features that this online collaborative tool has to offer [4]. Compared to similar products, Colaab is very highly regarded by reviewers [5]. For people interested in the background of Colaab, their development team have left a trail of information of what functionality that they wanted to create in their fast, lightweight, real-time "killer web app" [6]. see References below
- ...1 more comment...
-
References [1] Storm Ideas Ltd. (2009a). 'Colaab - web based collaboration and communication in real time or your own time'. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from http://colaab.com/Home.mvc/About [2] Storm Ideas Ltd. (2009b). 'Colaab - web based collaboration and communication in real time or your own time'. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from http://colaab.com/Home.mvc/FAQ [3] Van Grove, J. (2009). 'Colaab Offers a Real-Time Alternative to Basecamp for Project Collaboration'. Mashable: The Social Media Guide. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://mashable.com/2009/01/14/colaab/ [4] Storm Ideas Ltd. (2009c). 'Colaab - web based collaboration and communication in real time or your own time'. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from http://colaab.com/Home.mvc/Tour [5] Poole, P. (2009). 'An Elegant Option for Collaborative Content Review'. Web Worker Daily. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/01/13/an-elegant-option-for-collaborative-content-review/ [6] Storm Ideas (2009). '11 Ways How colaab Got Real'. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://blog.stormideas.com/archive/2009/01/19/11-ways-how-colaab-got-real.aspx
-
Colaab provides users with a safe and secure environment to exchange ideas. Colaab is browser based, so no-downloading, and this makes the software very attractive. Along with DeepZoom, another strength Colaab has is the ability to create three "different levels of Workspace access (Organiser, Participant, Viewer) make controlling user permissions and privileges very easy indeed" [1]. Colaab suggests that the product is particularly useful for design projects that involve professions such as web designers, writers, architects, etc., that require communication and collaboration. This statement can be validated in a recent article concerning the art, media and design department of the University College of Falmouth. "Colaab is allowing us to enhance and develop these skills for a still more diverse cohort collaborating professionally across a range of disciplines within art, media, design and performance - be they on campus, in work or at home" [2].
-
How does Colaab compare to other online collaboration tools? ProofHQ and ConceptShare are two alternatives, but what sets Colaab ahead? ProofHQ [3] offers clients a collaborative suite suitable for design projects and is also browser-based. "You upload a design, graphic or object you want feedback on. Next you set who can participate in providing feedback" [4]. ConceptShare [5] is another "application for sharing creative work, like photos and layouts. It's targeted at a niche of users (designers and their clients), but it could bring Web-enabled collaboration to a large number of people" [6]. So how does Colaab stand? Poole, a contributor of Web Worker Daily, suggests that "compared to the others... that serve a similar purpose, this app is far superior aesthetically. The UI is elegant and clean, with a rich interface thanks to Microsoft Silverlight 2" [7]. Whatever collaboration platform a company chooses, Colaab will definitely stand out in the designer's selection. References/Notes [1] Colaab.com features, http://colaab.com/Home.mvc/About [accessed April 9, 2010]. [2] Storm Ideas Blog, University College Falmouth to collaborate using Colaab, http://blog.stormideas.com/archive/2010/02/01/university-college-falmouth-to-collaborate-using-colaab.aspx [accessed April 9, 2010]. [3] ProofHQ, http://www.proofhq.com/ [accessed April 9, 2010]. [4] Stern, A., (2008). ProofHQ Offers Online Group Editing in a Blog or Browser, Center Networks, Article: August 26, 2008, http://www.centernetworks.com/proofhq-group-design-editing [accessed April 9, 2010]. [5] ConceptShare, http://www.conceptshare.com/ [accessed April 9, 2010]. [6] Needleman, R., (2007). Top 5 under the radar companies, CNet News, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-9701266-2.html?tag=mncol [accessed April 9, 2010]. [7] Poole, P., (2009). An Elegant Option for Collaborative Content Review, Web Worker Daily, http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/01/13/an-elegant-option-for-collaborative-cont