An Introduction to Web Apps

Without software, you would probably have a hard time conducting much of your nonprofit's day-to-day business. Yet if you work in the field or need to accomplish tasks remotely, you may not always have access to the software you need. Enter Web applications, a relatively new type of software that lives on the Web.

As with installed software, Web applications are designed to perform specialized tasks, such as building spreadsheets, converting file formats, or editing images. Unlike other software, however, Web applications don't need to be installed on a machine and don't require hard-drive space or maintenance. In some cases, they are also free, making them a viable option for nonprofits with steady access to a reliable high-speed Internet connection and that are looking for a supplement or alternative to some traditional applications.

Three Different Applications

As is true with traditional software, Web applications vary in terms of features and functionality. Below, you'll find examples of three online applications that have been discussed in TechSoup's Community forums. You can find more exhaustive overviews of available Web applications in the Web Application Directories section that follows.

1. Google Apps. Although Google is best known for its search engine, the company has also released a number of free Web applications that are available to anyone who signs up for a Google account. For instance, Google Docs & Spreadsheets offer online tools for creating word-processing documents and spreadsheets, with user interfaces similar to Microsoft Word and Excel (Word and Excel are available at a discount to qualifying nonprofits on TechSoup Stock). Google also provides a Web application that builds online calendars, as well as one that creates, publishes, and hosts Web pages.
   
   Google Apps are available separately and to individual users, but also come bundled into packages that allow multiple users to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, Web pages, and calendars. The free Standard Edition of Google Apps lets an unlimited number of people use the company's Web applications, while the Premier Edition (which costs $50 per year per user) adds features such as phone-based tech support and the option to remove ads.
2. Jumpcut . This Web application allows you to create movies from scratch and edit existing video clips. If you're making a movie with Jumpcut, you can use a wizard to add video clips and photographs to your project, although movie files cannot exceed 100 MB. Once you've built your movie, Jumpcut's editing tools let you add titles, animation, transitions, and audio files; you can also use these tools to modify existing video clips.
   
   While Jumpcut hosts your movie on its site, the service doesn't currently allow content creators or other users to save videos to their computers. Also, if you don't want to give other Jumpcut users permission to edit your movie, you'll need to label it as private content.
3. Zamzar . Zamzar converts different types of document, image, audio, and video files from one format to another. The free service supports a large number of common file types in each of its four categories. For instance, the Document category allows you to convert a Word document or Excel spreadsheet to a PDF, while the Image category lets you convert JPEG files to TIFFs or PNGs.
   
   To convert a file using Zamzar, simply find the file you want to convert on your computer, choose an output format, and enter your email address. Once the service has successfully transformed the file, you'll receive an email with a URL where you can download the converted file. Zamzar cannot convert files larger than 100 MB, and it will only let you convert five files simultaneously. However, the service places no limitations on the number of files you can convert in a given day.

Web Application Directories

When it comes to finding a Web application that suits your particular needs, you have many options from which to choose. To help save you the time of using a search engine to locate a Web application that can accomplish a desired task, you may want to consult one of directories below.

• Nedwolf . In addition to free installed software, Nedwolf has also compiled a list of free Web applications, divided into categories such as File Storage and Productivity Tools. Each listing is accompanied by a few paragraphs explaining its main function and features, as well as Nedwolf's opinions on the service's pros and cons.
• Social Source Commons . Social Source Commons (SSC), a project of Aspiration Technologies, maintains a list of traditional software solutions and Web applications it has identified as good resources for nonprofit organizations. Although SSC does not divide applications into specific categories, it does allow members to add keywords to each application so that visitors can find services via search terms. Besides providing short descriptions of applications, SSCalso offers community-based features that allow you to see what tools other site members are using.
• The Unofficial Web Applications List . The Unofficial Web Applications List groups hundreds of Web applications into 25 different categories, including Communication, Privacy, and Security. You can also browse applications according to the task you wish to accomplish, such as making Web buttons or converting files to PDFs. Each application is listed with a short blurb about its features and functionality, which will hopefully help you narrow down your options.