I really feel that Google is going to have a profound effect on how we educate in the future, and the "Marketplace" is just a small part of this. The bigger picture for me is the openness that it creates, and the possibilities that come with this openness. No longer will kids in rural communities be closed off from the "outside" world. The will be able to access "virtually" the great museums of the world and use software such as "Aviary" and "Picnik" to create their own images, without the school system spending any of their dwindling budget. I hope that Google sticks to it's mantra of "Don't be Evil" and continues to use its power for good, to help broaden all of our horizons. With products such as "Aviary" Google puts the creative power back in our hands, so that we are free to concentrate on the Visual Literacy skills we have been learning. If anyone is interested there is a great book on how Google is changing the way the world works: "What Would Google Do" by Jeff Jarvis. I am looking forward to reading what you all think about this software and if you have any questions let me know, I have been exploring these for about a week now and I will continue to in the future. If anyone knows of any other free software please post in the comments.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Free Creative Software
Earlier this month I read about the launch of "Google App Marketplace" and the possibilities it offers in the way of free (or cheap) services. Now the marketplace is specifically for developers, who pay a $100 a year fee, but we can still access the products contained within. Here is a list I found of the "Top 10 apps": http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/03/top-10-google-apps-marketplace-apps/ Pay special attention to "SlideRocket" and "Aviary", there is also "Picnik" which didn't make this list but is still great. I started using "Aviary" this week and it has been phenomenal. The services it offers are comparable to the "Adobe Creative Suite" but completely without cost. The "Aviary" software doesn't include some of the bells and whistles included with the Adobe products, but there is enough to get done most of what we are going to do. It really is a great way to work with an advanced editing program without tying yourself down to the cost of the Adobe software.
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WOW! What a cool thing. As someone who isn't quite so visually literate (at least before this class), I am so happy to learn about something like this. I think this is very cool. I am in the process of getting Aviary to give it a whirl. I also think that it's kinda cool that google can offer all of this for free. Adobe is never going to go out of business, which is also a good thing. Imagine the ease with which a student can then transition from aviary to adobe and be successful. I think this is awesome. I will look around for other free software and keep checking these nifty google apps. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDavid, Thanks so much for posting the link to the free apps. I will pass the information on to Dr. Kellison and Dr. Estes. These apps are the sort of thing we will be sure to include in future technology courses because they are free, useful, and not everyone will have the money to purchase applications after they leave JMU.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to Adobe never going out of business, my husband informed me over the weekend that there are so many security issues with the .pdf format that he feels it will disappear over the next 10 years. Interesting... He says to be on the lookout for HTML5, which will Internet improve security by reducing the need for plug ins.
David,
ReplyDeleteThe information you provided in your post is excellent for students at any level. I appreciate the link to view all the available apps. I had no idea there were so many.
Would you please elaborate on what is needed to download these apps to our Google accounts. I tried to download Aviary, but it requires verification of my domain. Does that mean I need to create a domain on my account? If so, what is the best way to proceed?
Thanks for any clarification you can provide. Jackie
@Diane, there are already some amazing things happening with HTML5, one notable addition is the YouTube Beta. If you type in "youtube.com/html5" you can join the beta version and it offers much more in the way of "high-end" options.
ReplyDelete@Jackie, if you go to the main Aviary site; aviary.com, and go to the log-in menu. There is an option to log-in with an existing account. Just choose the Google option and log-in as if you were in Google. If this doesn't work let me know and I will find out more.
This stuff is so cool! A lot of times I feel like I’m “old school” because I’m afraid to try new things with technology and I’m scare to see what else is out there. I like to stick with what I know unless someone I trust tells me there’s something out there to try and that it really works. I really think these apps are great and I’m going to explore them and hopefully use them in the near future. I’ll let you guys know how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great post David (especially because buying softwares independently can be so expensive). Since learning Adobe Photoshop, and other programs, I have taken pleasure in creating graphics and other visual artistry on the computer. However, after my free trial runs out, I always end up having to come to the library to use the services (which will not be available to me come May). In my search for free software online, I actually found a pretty decent one called GIMP. It's very similar to Photoshop, but not as user-friendly. However, through the use of YouTube I was able to find tutorials on how to operate and do different things within the program. GIMP can be downloaded for FREE at www.gimp.org. Let me know what you think (if you haven't used it before).
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blogpost! I was not aware of “Google App Marketplace” and agree wholeheartedly with you on how providing this service at a low cost or no cost at all can increase accessibility to those who do not have the financial means to afford Adobe and other costly products. Providing for those without the economic means to always do so for themselves is a passion of mine and I am fortunate to have a Graduate Assistantship with the Centennial Scholars Program (CSP). CSP gives students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds a full scholarship to attend James Madison University. Many of these students come from the inner city and do not have a computer in their homes and their school systems are impoverished. As students in the program they are given a laptop with the Microsoft Office Suite but many use products like Adobe Photoshop for projects and class assignments. Many of the students can’t afford the products even at a reduced student rate so they use free trials or go to the various labs on campus. Having the use of the various services on “Google App Marketplace” would benefit students like the ones that I mentor tremendously.
ReplyDeleteDave, how neat! Aviary looks like a great free tool to use. I look forward to trying it out. That sounds like an interesting book and I totally agree on hoping that Google sticks with its mantra. I found myself saying the other day, "well when I graduate there is always google". In reference to us not having access to Thall, Wilcox, JMU libraries, etc in a few months. One of the benefits to these free applications that are similiar to adobe are like Dr. Wilcox mentioned future students will be able to use them and try this stuff out before committing to purchasing them only to find out maybe they dont fit with their program, or had different expectations, etc. and I feel like if you can get a skill down with one "tool", it is a lot easier to teach yourself how do to the same thing on a different "tool". This will also be really helpful as designers if when we graduate the people we work for dont have certain software we think would work well with our designs, nor the money to purchase them. Do we know anything about compatibility with these? For example, could something I make in Aviary be opened in photoshop? etc
ReplyDeleteI do love Google. And I love that Aviary is an accessible tool for those without the means or inclination to invest in products like Adobe, but--and I KNOW this sounds very conspiracy theorist :)--I do worry about becoming a "Google-stocracy." Sarah makes a great point--what is the compatibility of the google apps? Because it's so accessible, it becomes more indispensable to a larger population. I know this reaction is a little "out there," but I think that both the positive and negative ramifications of Aviary should be considered.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! Paint.Net is a free app very similar to Photoshop and when my 30 day trial runs out I will be using that to sharpen my skills until I purchase my new computer. One of the things I am very interested in is transference of skills from one technology application to another, exactly what Google is providing. Just today I signed on to PowerPoint to use the Adobe Presenter only to find out my trial has expired, which bites because I need it through the end of the semester. Hopefully I have not downloaded it on my laptop at home!
ReplyDelete