Selection & Grading

Review Process & Grading of Apps – Criteria Explanation

All Applications, programs and services must meet certain guidelines to be included in our posts. Generally speaking, all applications should also benefit the core of our main focus relating to enhanced Performance & Quality Improvement processes (PQI Network mission).  The Web-based Applications do NOT need to be specifically suited for business but may also help improve individual and/or group related initiatives as long as their is a connection to improving processes, tasks, and/or outcomes.

General Rules & Guidelines

1. ALL Apps Must be FREE to use and implement. This should not be confused with Free for a limited time or Free trail period, not about providing Free information, Free details, or Free consultations.  ALL Apps must have a component or use that is ALWAYS FREE, even if it is ‘lite’ or limited version of a paid or enhanced version of the same application.
2. No TECH experience REQUIRED to begin utilizing. We love open source but many times users may need to have access to and know how to setup and maintain a web-server, additional hardware, specific databases, etc. All Apps must be usable “AS IS” and no need for additional hardware, software, etc (unless they are also Free).
3. Main access point is through an INTERNET Browser. We are not talking about locating an application online and then downloading and placing on a specific computer. Our Apps and information should be accessed from any computer, anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection.  We are NOT discussing Free Software but Free Internet Apps.   This does not mean that some of the Apps do not include or offer a software component or an extra package to download that may offer additional access/function (which may offer access when not connected to the Internet, run additional reports, etc).
4. Ideally- all Apps should be accessible from ANY BROWSER. However, some browsers lag behind others (not just in speed) and cannot recognize or intentionally ‘block’ certain ‘computer ‘coding’ which may prevent users from being able to maximize the Application unless they use a specific browser. Fortunately, ALL of your Internet Browsers are FREE and the browser community is working on providing uniformed standards but we know that some people are still ‘stuck in their ways’ of using one or the same browser (which is probably IE and is also typically the poorest performing browser).
5. Ideally- all Apps should be accessible from ANY OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, some Apps may only be accessible by utilizing certain OS and we will note such Apps and deduct their ‘Grade” accordingly. (See Grading below)

Grading of Apps

Our grading system is based on a Plus (+) scale from A+ to C. We will not waste our time or yours and do not post or review any Internet App below our C Grading so we hope that you will feel confident in knowing that the Apps reviewed and displayed here are all Quality (at least Good) Free Internet Apps for you to use and explore.

The criteria for Our Top Grade

• The Full Application is Free – nothing minimized or reduced by opting for the Free version
• Begin to use “As Is” – with No Technical experience, specific hardware, software or ‘additional’ programs to implement Full use of App
• Full Internet access – gain access to all relevant data, features and functionality via only an Internet Browser
• Any Web-Browser – application is Fully viewable utilizing any browser
• Compatible with Any OS – fully compatible with any Operating System – not just limited access and not for most OS.

Any deviations from the above are deducted and will result in a lower Grade.