Convert those files with Zamzar
Posted by tektrekker on 12 May, 2007
One of those unwritten rules of distance education states that you absolutely can’t get through a semester without receiving a document that you can’t open. It’s inevitable, for instance, that you have at least one student in your class using MS Word 2007 (.docx format) or even Wordperfect (.wpd) while you are using MS Word 2003 (.doc format). Of course, this is not an insurmountable problem, but it does take more time…
Fortunately, there is an easy way to deal with this situation: Zamzar. The number of files this free online service can convert is amazing. Not only will you be able to convert those .docx, .wpd, .wps, or .doc files to something you can read, you will also be able to convert various image, audio, and video files easily.
If you are an online teacher, this is one tool you should definitely add to your teacher tool kit. 
14 May, 2007 at 1 pm
commenting to myself… hmmm… is this as bad as talking to myself? probably worse since I’m making it public… But I digress! I just tested a nice little .docx to .doc conversion. It took Zamzar about 1 minute to upload, convert, and send me the link. The file had a table and some font formats that all looked good upon conversion. And, I was able to compare it with the same document opened in MS Word 2007 and they looked exactly alike. Quick, easy, accurate (at least with MS Word)…couldn’t ask for more.
14 May, 2007 at 5 pm
I resemble that remark - is it possible I have inadvertantly sent a docx file??? hmmm…
Jim C
21 May, 2007 at 8 am
I’ve recieved so many different documents in so many different formats that I’m not quite sure who sent what.
I do know that the most likely culprit these days is the .doc and .docx files. Just one of the many fun challenges experienced by online teachers. LOL. It keeps us on our toes and helps us stay on top of technology.