Free USB Flash Drive Utilities

1. 7-Zip Portable: This portable file archiver compresses 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, RAR files and more.
2. Avast Virus Cleaner and Worm Removal Tool: This free tool can be installed to and launched directly from a portable USB device. Also available in the U3 version.
3. CodySafe: Carry your computer programs with you, launch them on any PC and leave no footprint behind.
4. Eraser Portable: Eraser Portable is a secure file-deletion and data wiping utility that runs directly from your USB or thumbdrive.
5. FileZilla Portable: This is the popular FTP client configured as a portable app. Also available in a U3 version.
6. KeePass Password Safe Portable: Put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk.
7. Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager: Use this application to backup and restore files from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you.
8. Predator: Lock and unlock your PC by simply removing or inserting a USB flash drive.
9. PStart: You can start anything runnable from USB key devices or removable disks.
10. SoftPerfect File Recovery: SoftPerfect File Recovery recovers accidentally deleted files from hard disks, USB flash drives, CF and SD cards and other storage media.
11. Total Commander: This app is a shareware file manager for Windows with a built-in FTP client with FXP and HTTP proxy support.
12. Toucan: Synchronize, backup and secure your data with more options than the built-in suite utilities.
13. Truecrypt: This app creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk on the USB flash drive.
14. xPortClone: This utility will automatically copy all files, including protected or hidden files to the specified folder (requires Java).

Free USB Flash Drive Programs

15. 12Voip: 12Voip is free Portable Voice Over IP software that you can use to call landlines and mobile phones for free from any computer with an Internet connection.
16. AbiWord: This is a free word processing program that allows you to collaborate with multiple people on one document at the same time.
17. CDBurnerXP: Use this app to burn a CD anywhere, anytime without gaps between tracks.
18. Foxit Reader Portable: Insert in any PC and open a PDF file without worrying whether the PDF reader is installed. Also available in the U3 version.
19. GnuCash Portable: This is an open source financial management software packaged as a portable app, so you can take your financial data with you.
20. Google Chrome Portable: Take your Google browsing with you in an app that integrates easily with the PortableApps.com Suite (see below).
21. IrfanView Portable: This app supports every image format you can dream up and includes a fast and stable thumbnail viewer.
22. Mozilla Firefox Portable: Take your favorite browser with you along with all your favorite bookmarks and extensions. Also available in the U3 version.
23. Mozilla Thunderbird Portable: Take your email, address book and account settings with you. Available in the U3 version, too.
24. Notepad++ Portable Edition: Take a reliable, highly-versatile and easy-to-use notepad with you wherever you go.
25. OpenOffice.org Portable: Take your complete office suite with you so you can work on the road. Also available in the U3 version.
26. OperaTor: This is a portable software bundle that allows you to browse the Web anonymously by combining the power of the Opera Browser, Tor and Polipo.
27. Pidgin Portable: Take your IM settings and buddy lists with you for instant messaging on the go. This app also comes in the U3 version.
28. OperaTor: This is a portable software bundle that allows you to browse the Web anonymously by combining the power of the Opera Browser, Tor and Polipo.
29. PortableApps.com Suite and Platform: This app includes Web browsers, email, calendar, antivirus, IM, PDF reader and more — all in one app.
30. Pwytter – Portable Twitter Client: This is a stand-alone Twitter client that can run from a portable USB device.
31. VDownloader: Watch your favorite videos whenever and wherever you want.
32. VLC media player: This is a highly portable multimedia player and multimedia framework that can read most audio and video formats as well as DVDs, audio CDs and various streaming protocols.
33. XMIND — Portable Mind Map: This is an open source mind mapping software utility that can be shared online, shared internally or kept as a personal mind map.

Free Utilities and Programs for U3

34. 1-2-3 Spyware Free for U3: Regular online updates ensure protection against future threats, and real-time protection prevents viruses from infecting your PC.
35. Accomplice: Accomplice lets you pull together scattered to-do items and related information, prioritize and break them into actionable steps, coordinate them with your teams, and focus on doing what’s critical.
36. AppSnapper Lite: Launch only the applications you want on your U3 smart drive and never leave anything behind on a host computer.
37. ArmorSurf Private Browser for PC: ArmorSurf is a private web browser, encrypted file manager, Flash downloader, media player, and video DVD burner that keeps your information safe and secure.
38. EditPad Lite for U3: You can open as many files at a time as you want, with no arbitrary file size limit and no arbitrary line length limit with this utility.
39. Evernote for U3: Use Evernote to take notes, organize tasks and to-dos, clip web pages with the text, images, and links, keep snapshots, record audio, write with digital ink and more.
40. myPodder: This app manages your podcast subscriptions and can be used free of charge in conjunction with the www.podcastready.com website.
41. Opera for U3: Opera’s widgets keep you on the cutting edge, while the pop-up blocker, tabs, and other innovative features keep you productive and organized.
42. Personal Finances Lite forU3: Similar to a home accounting system, this program tracks all your expenses, logging regular ones automatically.
43. Personal Knowledge System for U3: This is an extended trial copy of the Personal Knowledge System.
44. Portable Vault Lite — U3 Edition: This app encrypts, hides and password protects your private files and folders from others on your Portable USB Device.
45. Recover Lost Data — U3 Edition: Recover files from an emptied Recycle Bin, a virus infection, an unexpected system shutdown, or a software failure.
46. RoboForm2Go For U3: Siber Systems has implemented RoboForm2Go software on U3 platform. Use it to fill out forms from any PC.
47. SIW — System Information for Windows for U3: A utility that includes detailed specs for Motherboard, BIOS, CPU, Devices, Memory, Video, Drives, Ports, Printers.
48. Webaroo: This free software service provides you with the power to search web content offline on your laptop, PDA, smartphone and U3 drives.
49. WinSCP for U3: This open source SFTP and FTP client for Windows uses Secure Shell (SSH) and supports, in addition to Secure FTP, legacy SCP protocol.
50. Xtraveller for U3: Use this utility as a start manager for important documents, folders and programs on the go.
51. Zinio Reader for U3: The Zinio Reader allows users to read and interact with their digital publications in ways they can’t with traditional paper publications.

All of this connectivity had an initial downside. Almost immediately, outcry over privacy on Google Buzz was raised. Private information was widely available, and that caused immediate concerns. The good news is that the widespread panic caused Google to make changes to its set-up, and now Buzz can be adjusted to rectify most of the privacy problems. Now that Google has done its tinkering, and many social media mavens have had their say, Buzz is being considered for its usefulness. While Google Buzz isn’t for everyone, it can be a helpful tool in a number of settings, including education.

If you are looking for an innovative way to connect with students, especially in an online learning situation, here are some ways that you can take advantage of the features offered by Google Buzz:

Create Education Groups

Google Buzz allows you to create different groups, based on shared interests. It is also possible to set up private groups on Buzz so that you are not sharing group information with outsiders. This is one of the most useful features of Buzz for educators. You can create individual groups for each course you teach. Additionally, if you are working on class projects, you can set up small groups and monitor how they are working together. Here are the steps to creating a private group and sending messages using Google Buzz:

1. In your Gmail account, go to “Contacts”.
2. Click on “New Group” and create a name for the group.
3. Add members’ emails to this group.
4. Go to Buzz and click in the message box.
5. Look below the box to see the drop down. Switch from “Public on Web” to “Private”.
6. Click on “Post to a group” and check the appropriate box.
7. Write your message and click “Post”.

Of course, the major drawback is that all of those in the class group or course have to have their own Gmail accounts and access to Buzz in order to coordinate projects and discuss class items using this social media tool.

Collaborate on Projects

Using the ability to set up groups in Gmail and in Buzz, it is possible to use Buzz to collaborate on education projects. Indeed, Buzz is set up so that conversations can take place on a variety of subjects. This allows students to collaborate with each other, sharing files and information. Google Buzz allows for the sharing of pictures, documents (Google Docs can be used easily with Gmail and Buzz), and research links with each other. This can make collaboration fast and easy.

On top of this, it is possible for others in the group to easily follow the thread of conversation, something that can be quite difficult on Twitter when you have groups of people trying to read what others are saying. Buzz keeps related conversations together, so it is easy to see what other group members have contributed to class projects. Every post has the option to insert a link or photo. With Google Docs, you receive a link that you can put in this section (or just share the doc with everyone in your group).

Class Discussion

For distance education, Google Buzz can be great for facilitating class discussion. It is easy for online educators to upload class materials so that class members can see them using Buzz. Then it is possible to discuss the materials with class members. Class members can comment on their own time schedule as well, easily pulling up what they are looking for by post discussion, and seeing what others have said. Then they can add their own comments.

Google Buzz also makes it easy to answer questions students might have. A student can post a question, and the teacher can answer it — allowing everyone in the group to see the answer. This can be an effective way for those who might have similar questions to have them answered quickly and easily without having to email the instructor separately. Filtering improvements should help increase the efficiency of this process.

The fact that you can do this with more than 140 characters (as with Twitter), and the fact that you don’t have to enter individual “friends” for each message (as with Facebook) make Buzz quite convenient. Comments, questions and explanations can be as long as necessary, and illustrative media is readily available.

Course and Assignment Updates

It is possible for you to quickly and easily send out course and assignment updates to everyone in your class using Google Buzz. If you need to make changes to an assignment, cancel a class meeting, or set up a special online class chat, you can use Buzz to quickly let everyone in your group know. You can also post information on extra credit assignments, or let students know when their grades are available.

You can also notify students when you have a new video lecture up. The “Insert Link” feature allows you to insert a link from YouTube and have the video show up as something playable immediately. You can also connect your YouTube account to Buzz, so that every time you upload a new video, it is automatically disseminated to all of your followers.

Drawbacks to Google Buzz

Even with the privacy upgrades to Buzz, there are still some concerns. One of them is that in some cases there is an “all or nothing” approach, making it difficult to make some things public and some things private. Another downside to Google Buzz in terms of privacy is that when you use Buzz on mobile devices, it can show your location to followers. You might not want classmembers knowing exactly where you are.

And, of course, in order for Google Buzz to be effective in education, all of those taking your course must have a Gmail account and use it regularly. That’s no real hardship, since it is free, but some online students may not be too keen on getting a new email account just to take a class.

In the end, though, Google Buzz offers some interesting possibilities, especially for those looking to beef up their online education offerings.

General E-Learning Blogs

If you have a passion for learning, you can take advantage of these e-learning blogs that offer tips, techniques and valuable resources for those who are interested in self-directed learning using the power of the Internet.

1. Moving at the Speed of Creativity presents information and helpful podcasts on more effective e-learning.
2. Internet Time Blog provides helpful e-learning resources. This is especially geared at business e-learning, but is useful nonetheless for all online learners.
3. Clive on Learning offers an insightful look about learning, and provides helpful hints to improving the way you engage in self-directed learning.
4. elearnspace looks at the way people learn, and offers resources and news about e-learning.
5. Learning and Technology offers an interesting look at how technology can help us be better learners. This blog includes information and resources, as well as discussion, on e-learning.
6. E-Learning Queen focuses on how it is possible to use the Internet as a learning tool and resource.
7. Stephen’s Web contains a number of interesting resources and information on e-learning and self-directed education.
8. XplanaZine provides a contemporary look at education and learning online.
9. Learning Reflections presents thoughtful posts and analysis on e-learning, and offers resources and help.
10. Online Education Blog is a resource that provides information on online colleges, degrees and learning.

Learning Theory

Technology has allowed us to advance in the way we think about learning. The reason that you learn differently from someone else may have bearing on how you perform. Online learning allows you to learn in a way that suits you best. Here are some blogs about learning theory and e-learning.

11. Informal Learning Blog is just what it sounds like — a blog devoted to helping those learn informally.
12. Random Walk in Learning focuses on the ideas behind learning, and how to apply thoughts on learning to self-directed education.
13. 2 Cents Worth provides insight into how the current landscape affects learning.
14. Learning Curves offers insight into the different ways that we learn, and how to learn according to our individual needs.
15. abject learning looks at social learning and the impact it can have on how effectively we receive education.
16. Learnlets provides interesting observations on information processing and other issues related to online education.
17. The Stingy Scholar offers information and resources on how you can learn on your own, for free, using the Internet.
18. McGee’s Musings focuses on learning innovation and how to improve the way we learn.

Technology and Online Education

Technology offers amazing opportunities to enhance the way we learn. Even more traditional learning set-ups can use technology to engage in online education. Here are some blogs about online education technology.

19. Remote Access offers some helpful information on technology that can help any number of people access education resources, no matter where they are.
20. Ed-Tech Insider provides helpful information for those who are looking for ways to incorporate online education into the learning environment.
21. Weblogg-ed focuses on how online learning can complement other types of learning.
22. Derek’s Blog looks at how technology can impact learning, and how it can enhance education.
23. The Tech Savvy Educator contains a wealth of information on integrating online education with offline learning.
24. Beth’s Thoughts on Technology in Education offers a great deal of information on learning and how online education tools can help increase the efficiency.
25. A Teacher’s Life follows a teacher in her efforts to use online learning and technology to enhance learning in the offline world.
26. The Thinking Stick provides information on online technology and how it can improve the classroom learning experience.
27. Infomancy offers tips on how to find learning tools and information using online means.
28. Techlearning Blog contains resources and insights into online education and learning.

Internet Tools and Online Education

If you are looking for Internet tools that can help you better employ online education and learning, you can visit these blogs to find out more about what’s available to you.

29. Bionic Teaching offers information on Internet tools and resources that you can use in your e-learning efforts.
30. learning.now provides excellent tools and information focused on online education. Hosted by PBS.
31. Leigh Blackall focuses on offering up Internet tools that can help with your online education.
32. absolutely intercultural! is a blog/podcast focusing on intercultural issues in education, and providing great tools and resources for e-learners.
33. Infinite Teaching Machine contains tools and resources for online learning and education. Indludes multimedia.
34. Full Circle Interaction Blog looks at the skills and tools necessary to collaborate for online learning, as well as offline learning.
35. Digital Writing, Digital Teaching focuses on using the Internet for learning about writing and redading. Offers a number of tools and resources.

Online Education Help for Teachers

Teachers often need help when preparing lessons. Whether teaching Internet courses, or teaching in the “real” world, online education resources can be very helpful for teachers.

36. The Open Classroom provides insight and information on online learning and teaching methods.
37. Wicked Decent Learning offers tips and techniques for using technology and the Internet for more effective teaching.
38. A Difference focuses on making changes to math education, providing a great online resource for teachers.
39. Infocult contains information on trends in education and tips for teachers on how to implement learning strategies.
40. Artichoke provides helpful information and insight education, and includes some great online tools for teachers.
41. Cool Cat Teacher Blog offers information on how to use new tools and methods as a teacher.
42. Teachers Teaching Teachers is a place where educators can meet online to share information, tools and methods.
43. dougbelshaw.com provides education technology tools and information, as well as resources for teachers.

Education Policy and News

Find out the latest goings on in education. These great blogs offer insight into education policy and news — including some of the latest happenings in online education.

44. D-Ed Reckoning offers a look at instruction practices and education policy.
45. Practical Theory looks at the way things are in classrooms and offers insight on how some education problems can be fixed.
46. Change Agency focuses on reinventing education — including how it can be changed by the Internet and other technology.
47. Education Intelligence Agency provides a look at different influences in education, including the impact of online education.
48. Schools Matter looks at the issues that affect education policy. It even explores the purpose of schools and even suggests different alternatives.
49. This Week in Education offers regular updates on what’s going on in the world of online, and offline, education.
50. Eduwonk follows the latest education developments and provides commentary on policy.