Open-source apps released by Zoho

Open-source firm makes online meetings and apps creation simpler

Open-source software provider Zoho has released two new solutions: Zoho meeting, a new web conferencing application; and Creator, a developer tool that lets users create powerful online applications in minutes.

The firm said that both solutions are easy to use, explaining that a Zoho meeting can be created on the fly and, as a meeting or in presentation format, could be embedded in Flash format into a blog, wiki, notebook, or any web page. Attendees can then view or participate without needing to download any software, so long as they already have Flash, ActiveX, or Java installed on their machine.

Zoho has added a number of features to support online meetings, making it easier for the host to share information, hand over control of the presentation, and access files on remote computers. Using the remote control tool, attendees can control the host's computer if they need to provide input for a presentation, or the host can use it to access remote PCs, such as his home computer. Online chat, which can be used by groups during a presentation, is enabled via the Zoho Chat application.

Version 2.0 of Creator, a tool that can be used to easily create online database applications, represents the web-equivalent of Microsoft Access coupled with Visual Basic, according to Zoho.

Highlights in the new version include a rebuilt user interface with a drag and drop form builder, easy navigation and improved layout.

For less technically aware users, Zoho has included the Deluge Script Builder, which it said would simplify scripting, thus enabling quick and easy creation of complex applications. Alternatively, simple drag and drop functions can also be used in the creation of applications.

Collaboration features mean that team members and colleagues can be invited to contribute to application development. The host still controls what information these contributors are able to see, as well as what they can view, edit or add to.