[Sigia-l] Afforable Collaboration software

[Eric Swenson]

Your functional and technical requirements should drive the approach toward
answering your more general requirements of "good, yet affordable." Start by
breaking down your technical requirements (client, hosting method, etc.).
Then break down your functional requirements. Also -- you will notice that
the term "collaboration" is a liquid one when you are researching platforms,
hence the need for specific technical and functional requirements -- and a
specific budget.

A good source for evaluations of collaboration software from a project
management perspective is Gantthead.com.

There are a lot of open source solutions, as well as solutions mentioned in
previous responses, such as SocialText, etc. But what these products give --
they can also "take" in the form of usability -- especially if your user
group is comprised of varying levels of sophistication/experience with
collaboration platforms. 

ASP based services like OpenAir (www.openair.com) can provide you with
easy-to-implmeent general collaboration functions such as document
repository with version control, forums, time tracking and project
management and accounting functions. I use OpenAir on IT projects involving
disparate members who are less prone to requiring real-time document
collab/whiteboarding, etc. but who do require version controlling,
forum-level interaction, etc. I've also used eRooms (in a previous
incarnation) and Groove (I love Groove). Groove (www.groove.net) is an
incredible package, but it has its drawbacks (like no Macintosh client). If
you want intercom access, whiteboarding, real-time doc collaboration, great
security, independence from corporate firewalls, mid-level project
management functions, and a mellow price point, etc. -- Groove could be for
you.  

Good luck. Submit more specific requirements, and maybe get some more
specific recommendations!  

-- Eric

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
eric swenson
eswenson at swensonia.com
aim: swensonia 

-----Original Message-----
From: sigia-l-bounces at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-bounces at asis.org] On Behalf
Of Sean Lawrence
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 5:29 PM
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: [Sigia-l] Afforable Collaboration software


I was wondering if anyone on the list could suggest a good, yet 
affordable, collaboration package.  It needs to allow for surveys, 
blogs, and general collaborative features (document repository, 
versioning, archives, etc.)

Thanks,

Sean

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