How to Collaborate Across Continents

These days, it is not hard for a person in the US to collaborate with a colleague or friend in Europe, Asia or elsewhere on a project. I edit a new electronic journal. There are two people actively working on this journal, me in Georgia, USA and my publisher/co-editor in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This is how you can collaborate on any project with anyone anywhere.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The Internet
• A free Skype account
• Microsoft Word
• Adobe (free)software
• Webcam (optional)

1. Open up a free Skype account, and make sure your partner has one, too. With Skype, you can chat in real time over the computer by typing to each other, or you can call one another and talk just like you would on the telephone, only for free. If you have a web cam, you can also see each other as you are talking. If you are collaborating with more than one person, conference calls are also free as long as everyone has a Skype account.

2. Figure out how to handle time differences. For instance, for a six hour time difference, afternoon calls work well, as it will either by morning or evening where you are. For discussions during inconvenient times, use email.

3. You can send photos and documents back and forth using Skype so that each of you can see plans, blueprints, or whatever the other is working on. As long as you have compatible versions of Microsoft Word and the Adobe .pdf reader, which is free, this is very quick, so that there are no long delays in communication.

Resources

• Skype