Cool Tool Review

Office Live Small Business

General Information
Office Live Small Business provides companies with the tools to create a professional web presence for free, including easy-to-use website design and management tools, and 100 email accounts. Office Live Small Business also offers free suite of professional business applications that allows its users to manage customers, projects, and documents and easily share information with employees, customers, suppliers and vendors.
This service is free, but additional costs are required for certain features as outlined below:
 Domain Name Registration: $14.95/year
 Premium E-Mail: $19.95/year
 Additional Storage: Beginning at $4.95/month
 Additional Users: Beginning at $14.95/month

Technical Information
System Requirements are outlined below:
 To use Microsoft Office Live Small Business: Internet Explorer 6,* 7,* or 8, running on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
 Mozilla Firefox on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, or Mac OS X
 Broadband Internet access
 Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution display
 Office Live Small Business will work with Office 2000 or above. However, certain advanced features require Microsoft Office 2003 or higher.

Features/Review
 The directions are clear and easy to follow for the intended age group.
 The software provides clear step-by-step instructions on how to create a website, how to customize a website, and how to add a domain.
 It is easy to exit the program.
 Information is current and accurate
 Examples and illustrations are relevant
 There is appropriate variety in screen displays
 Students are able to recall and use information presented following program use
 Program prepares students for future real-world experiences
 This is an appropriate use of instructional software
 User can navigate through program without difficulty
 Screen directions are consistent and easy to follow
 Help options are comprehensive and readily available
 Interface provides user with an appropriate environment

I’ve always been hesitant about creating a website because there was the perception that this process was quite cumbersome and required a higher level of technical expertise. After reviewing this software, I am less apprehensive and more excited about beginning my own website. Because of the easy to follow directions and other great features, educators could use this program as a instructional tool for their students.