ED 603: Technological Capabilities

The University of Michigan / School of Education

Internet Tool Review-E-Mail Evaluation

• Is it easy to use? If yes, the program has easy to use Pull-Down Menus and Dialog boxes that make sense and easy to identify the tools.
• Is it easy to learn? If yes, the program has online help, telephone support, tutorials or guides or manuals that is easy to use.
• Does it have userful additional tools? If yes, programs that have Thesaurus, Spell Check and HTML authoring. For example, Eudora has a spell check and HTMl authoring.
• Are there upgrades of the software? If yes, you can keep up to date with the latest version of the program. Eudora Pro is a the latest version for Eudora.
• Does it support new formats such as graphic, sound, photo, tables and video files?
• Is it easy to handle big files? Can it import and export files? For example, Eudora is an easy to use program for big files, sending attachments.
• Is security a big concern for your workplace or institution ? If yes, programs such as Eudora Light and Eudora Pro should not be emphasized as a first choice because copies of your e-mail are stored on the computer you currently work with or encryption security feature that Netscape has. Although one can get around this disadvantage, it is not an easy task and certainly one that a novice user would find difficult.
• Do you need a good archival (storage) system for your e-mail documents ? (Note: accessibility from various locations and the ability to store files and attachments is the criterion used in this instance) If yes, a program such as Pine would be beneficial. Storage on IFS (Institutional File System) is available.
• What type of work station environment will be considered for use? Those environments where different systems are common (Mac and PC) and environments where networking is common would benefit from all programs.
• Does your work environment benefit from (demand ?) tools such as spell-checking or prioritizing of mail for efficient threading of responses?
• What kind of client will use this software ? More specifically, is a Mac interface required (pull down windows, for example) since most users are Mac oriented? If yes, for example, Pine is probably not the best vehicle for use. It does have editing features (line editor) but cannot compete with the ease of traditional Mac commands such as Cut and Paste for editing of text that are found on a program such as Eudora.

Lastly, there are other issues (concerns) that could legitimately be raised concerning the selection of an appropriate internet tool software. The list addressed above should help limit the selection to an appropriate package. Below is an assessment of the salient features of some of the basic common internet tools that are used for professional collaboration.

E-Mail Table

Salient Features	Pine	Eudora
User Access-Server/Client Easy Dial-In Access to Server?	Yes	Yes
Synchronous and Asychronous Collaboration?	Asychronous	Asychronous
Threading of Conversations?	Yes	Yes
Easy to Use Interface?	Yes, keystoke tool bar.	Yes, graphic tool bar.
Speed of Information Exchange?	Use any speed modem with terminal emulation programs such as Versaterm and ProComm, NCSA Telnet or LAN Workplace.	Requires minimum 9600 bps modem and software from Macintosh or Windows Internet Access Kit
Platform and System Requirements?	Any computer with a VT-100 emulation programs.	Windows 3.1 or Macintosh System 7 with hard drive
Cross-Platform Robustness?	Performs well on Mac OS, DOS, UNIX and Windows sytems	Performs well on Mac OS, DOS, UNIX and Windows systems
Security of Files on a Server?	Yes, information is stored in one's personal Institutional File System (IFS) space.	No, users on multiple computer systems must save information on disk .
Security of Transmission?	Yes, password protected	Yes, password protected
Upgradability of Software?	Yes	Yes
Ability to Incorporate Multimedia?	Difficult for images and no media sound or video practicality	Difficult-images handled well as attachments, but video and sound are impractical
Source/Cost?	Available free on freeware and shareware sites via Telnet	Inexpensive-educators can obtain for under $25 from QualComm, Inc.

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