Manage Subscriptions · Subscribe Now · F.A.Q.'s
HOME · Saturday, July 5, 2008
Hosting, Infrastructure & Software
Google Takes On Microsoft Office
Google's never made a secret of the fact that its vision of your future computer desktop does not include any Microsoft products. For Google, all you'll need is a browser, an Internet connection, and a Google account - everything else is optional! Google will provide for all your computing needs on a "virtual desktop" you can access from any computer with a connection to the Web. Log on to docs.google.com and you can experience the first wave of Google's strategy in action.
"Google Docs & Spreadsheets" is a web-based word processing and spreadsheet program that enables you to create, modify, save and share documents without the need for Microsoft Office (or any other office suite). It enables you to do everything from simple word processing and spreadsheets to remote collaboration with business associates all over the world. It also allows you to convert your documents to PDF, HTML and several other formats and publish them right from the web.
Getting started rates extremely fast and simple. Just sign up for a free account and you're ready to start creating documents. You can also import your existing documents and spreadsheets for remote storage and editing. You can then invite people to your documents and spreadsheets to make changes together at the same time. Though the software does carry a "revision history" function which allows you to see changes made to a document by everyone with access, things could quickly get out of hand if you have a dozen people hacking up the same document—so exercise caution.
I created an account in minutes and created my first document using the simple interface to format my text (though I did miss the “page” view from Microsoft Word that lets me see how my text will look on a printed page). And, true to the promises made on the website, you can easily do all the basics, including: making bulleted lists, inserting images, changing fonts, bold, underline, change fonts, and more. You can even use it to create basic html pages which you can download to your computer and then upload to your own hosting account. Google Docs supports all the major file types, including: DOC, XLS, RTF, CSV, etc.
Two things struck me as most notable about the service. First, that ability to share and collaborate online with others will come in extremely useful for remote work groups. If you need a simple, easy, and fast way to collectively edit and share information (such as project “to-do” lists) Google Docs rates much simpler than many other solutions. Just email someone an invitation and they can instantly make modifications you can see in real time.
Second, the ability to access and publish your docs from any computer creates a truly remote working situation. If you can get online, you can get your work done. The ability to get things done without the need to take a laptop along or leave your home computer powered on for remote access really does open up a whole new world of possibilities. Keep a close eye on Google Docs as a sign of things to come.
Blinklist | Del.icio.us | Furl | Ma.gnolia | Newsvine | Spurl | Reddit | Technorati
Published on Monday, November 20, 2006
Comments:
Ecommerce Articles
- Browse All Articles
- Browse our complete archive of ecommerce articles.
- Accounting, Management & Legal
- Ecommerce articles related to managing a small business including ecommerce accounting, business strategy and legal considerations.
- Conversion & Usability
- Online business articles about converting web site visitors into customers and how to gauge and improve your business website's usability.
- Development & Programming
- Articles to help designers, developers and programmers create successful, search engine friendly ecommerce websites and improve existing ones.
- Hosting, Infrastructure & Software
- Articles for ecommerce businesses about ecommerce web hosting, business infrastructure, business strategy and helpful ecommerce & small business software.
- Interviews & Profiles
- Interviews with prominent ecommerce business personalities and profiles of successful online businesses.
- Inventory & Shipping
- Ecommerce articles about inventory management, ecommerce order fulfillment and product shipping considerations.
- Marketing & Revenue Growth
- Articles relating to online marketing, email marketing and using the Internet to growing your business.
- Search Engine Optimization
- Search engine optimization articles for ecommerce business owners, strategists, marketers and developers.
- Shopping Carts & Online Payments
- Articles covering ecommerce shopping cart platforms and options for choosing an online payment gateway.
- Training & Education
- Tutorials and articles providing training and education for ecommerce business owners and developers of ecommerce websites.
Search Articles
Ecommerce Community
- Ecommerce Blogs
- Read our blogs about ecommerce topics written by industry professionals.
- Community Forum
- Connect with other ecommerce professionals to trade advice and answers in our community forum.
- Podcasts
- Check out our ecommerce podcasts covering topics ranging from interviews to tutorials.
- RSS Content Feeds
- Subscribe to our RSS feeds and have fresh ecommerce content delivered to you.
Ecommerce Resources
- Free Email Newsletter
- Sign up for Ecommerce Notes, our free email newsletter for ecommerce business owners and developers.
- Ecommerce Directory
- Browse our directory of ecommerce products and services, or submit your own listing in our directory.
- Ecommerce Glossary
- Familiarize yourself with terminology or submit terms to help others with our Ecommerce Glossary.
- Events Calendar
- Find out about upcoming ecommerce events or invite other ecommerce professionals by posting your own event.
- Press Releases
- Browse ecommerce related press releases and post your own press release for distribution.
- Ecommerce Store & Back Issues
- Pick up back issues of Practical eCommerce magazine along with other merchandise from Practical Ecommerce
About Practical eCommerce
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Look at frequently asked questions regarded using our website, subscribing to our magazine and more.
- Advertising Information
- Information about advertising in Practical eCommerce magazine, on our website, or in our email newsletters.
- Editorial Sharing
- Learn about options for sharing our content with your visitors, customers or employees.
- About Us
- Learn more about Practical Ecommerce magazine and meet our staff.
- Contact Us
- Contact Practical Ecommerce at any time for more information. We'd love to hear from you.
Copyright 2007 Confluence Distribution, Inc. and Practical eCommerce.
All Rights Reserved.
Yeah.
Posted by: Anon
Tuesday, January 23, 2007