It is fitting that the last formal blog task for our web applications subject asks us to discuss some of the web apps we actually use in everyday life. For me, much as I’ve enjoyed testing out apps such as the Word Press blog editor, Google Docs and Delicious, the top three apps I use regularly are nothing new or cutting-edge. They are:
Everyone seems to love to hate it at the moment, but the reality is that — especially for a journalist — social networking website Facebook is an excellent professional and personal tool. We all lead busy lives but I find Facebook is able to give me a snapshot of what my friends are up to that keeps me linked in with them somewhat, even if I don’t have the time to chat to all of them regularly. It has also enabled me to find out what people I haven’t seen in years are up to. Its events application has become the usual way among my mates for people to send out party invites (although there has been a backlash against this among certain friends recently) and the chat and message functions, although far from perfect, I’ve found are easy and relatively fast ways to communicate. Professionally, Facebook keeps me updated with the latest news from my newspaper’s website and keeps me connected with many journalists I’ve worked with who have moved to other papers, wire services or TV stations. As they say, it’s not what you know but who you know, and Facebook is a gateway to ‘knowing’ many people from your profession (as is LinkedIn.com, but because it’s less of an everyday app Facebook is where more of the activity is).
Google mail
I use a specialised company version of Google’s mail service (Gmail) and I love it. The spam filter works a treat, the system is stable, searching emails is easy and there is heaps of storage space (25GB). It has all the basic functionality you would expect in a non-cloud-based email program, yet on the web. In fact, the email addresses I use with the service I was checking with a non-web-based email program until about a year ago, but I am happy to have made the switch. My Google mail service is linked in with Google Docs so documents can be opened and edited easily. I also have Hotmail, Yahoo and student email accounts, but my main email service is powered by Google and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
AFL Tipping
I only use the AFL Tipping application for about half the year, for obvious reasons, but during the season it is definitely among my most-used and favourite web apps. It facilitates a family tipping competition I have been participating in for probably seven or eight years now. The application has definitely improved in that time. It now offers more match statistics and other tools to help tipsters make their choice. The app is easy to navigate, runs well and produces all kinds of averages and rankings so you can compare your weekly results with the nation, or those in your personal competition/s. The competition sections now have messaging functions that facilitate the banter that makes tipping fun. I have used several other AFL tipping applications but I always come back to this official site, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who follows this great Aussie sport.
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