Google Scoops Microsoft w/ Mesh Applications 152
Julie188 writes "Google's offline access for Google Apps is a kick in the shin at Ray Ozzie. Google took a page right out of the Ozzie mesh playbook when it announced the offline access (let's call it Google Docs Unplugged). Google delivered desktop apps from the cloud first and then added unplugged functionality. Microsoft wants to do the same, but in reverse, and faces an infinitely bigger challenge: rebuild Microsoft apps so they can become cloud enabled while pulling its giant channel (and embedded software) along in the process. Good luck with that, Microsoft. But then again, just because Google is making faster progress doesn't mean much. There's no guarantee users will like the unplugged versions of cloud apps."
Bingo (Score:5, Interesting)
The summary was full of buzz words so I had to RTFA...which was also full of buzzwords
What I don't get is why basic office application are not better off on your local machine, or even OO.org on a flashdisk along with your documents, than on google's or microsofts server being analysed every which way.
Re:Bingo (Score:2, Interesting)
what if we took documents of data.. and apon saving them taged a light weight reader/editor to the file.. that way if someone has the app to read the document it would just skim over the bin part but if not the data file is also executable that will open the data of the document within it's slef..
that way it doens't mater if they have the app or not jsut send them the document and they will surely be able to view/edit it..
i know this is a bad idea.. but still sounds kinda neat
SaaS is a trend, not an enduring technology (Score:2, Interesting)
SaaS relies on you buying the OS or installing a free one, ditto for browser, and then using your applications online. Problems include: portability of your data, privacy, control of your data and its removal, the unreliablity of internet connections, and the unreliablity of browsers. Advantages: it's free, no IT department controls it, and someone else updates it. Google is the champion of this paradigm.
CaaS takes the current computing paradigm, in which you buy a computer, buy or download an OS or software, and maintain it yourself (or have an IT department do it if your business is big enough) and makes it subscription based. Somewhat realistically, it insists on this being a pay service, which as the internet ad bonanza begins to fade, seems sensible. Problems include: what happens if you don't keep up your subscription, unreliability of network software delivery, large companies like MSFT having knowledge of what's on your computer. Advantages: your software stays current, you can buy additional software and services from a trusted vendor, you know what your patch level is. Old software -- MSFT, Adobe, even Apple -- are the champions of this paradigm.
http://www.chrisblanc.org/blog/information-technology/2008/03/24/computing-as-a-service/ [chrisblanc.org]
Basically, while mesh computing sounds cool, it's a regression to a cheap form of thin client interaction. It adds nothing other than someone else maintaining your software for you, which Microsoft will do for their software, as will some Linux distros, automatically. Ignore the hype and the trends, look for the enduring technologies... that's the engineer's way.
Re:SharePoint (Score:4, Interesting)
SharePoint seems to be traditional client-server technology, and not related to any recent buzzwords like "cloud computing". For companies with a strong IT department, SharePoint it probably superior. For the rest of us, is is Google Docs or Office Live (or email, sadly).
Re:You really think MS faces the bigger task? (Score:3, Interesting)
Right now Microsoft is making their money as a box mover. They create physical products, and then sell them to people. This is currently the way that they have become one of the largest corporations on earth. This entire model is predicated on a very traditional method of utilizing the channel (distributors, resellers, direct sales, etc.)
This one nasty fact has created a huge boondogle for Microsoft. In order to keep their share price where its at, they need to keep moving product. In order to move to a different meshed network, or online/offline model, there is a very real possibility that Microsoft will end up cannabalizing its own products. Not only that, but there is the very real possibility that such a product, in the face of a competitor with equal or better name recognition, will fail.
For the last 5-7 years, Microsoft stock has not exactly prospered, even if you normalize the data against the larger market. The growth hasn't been there. So any misstep by MS in Ray Ozzie's new world could conceivably be quickly and severely punished by the market.
Microsoft faces a far greater challenge, how to undo the existing, traditional, established model of delivery, upon which their stock price is dependent, while moving to a new, untested, difficult to assess, impossible to value model.
Google, on the other hand, has neatly sidestepped the issue by giving software away, creating an entire universe where its okay to use live customers as beta testers (nay, they actually leave billable products as beta for years and years), and they have the quick ability to make/undo changes to code, even on the new apps that allow for offline content, since your endusers are likely to realize that downloading the latest version is a Good Thing To Do.
If Microsoft were go come out with a eighth-baked product like Google Spreadsheets and actually sell it to business customers, they'd be crucified (see Windows ME and Vista, in fact). Google does it and the world cheers, and a good chunk of the geeks download it, play with it, and help make it better. For free.
Bill
Paragraphs are part of the 20% (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:SharePoint (Score:5, Interesting)
Now, to the topic at hand: no, I have no interest in offline Google Apps. Google Apps is a barely usable hack that provides the barest of minimums of features for users. It's good for my grandmother, but even my mother finds it too limiting. Add to that using Firefox/Gears uses 5-10X the resources on machine and it just doesn't cute it. Microsoft's solution is exactly the path I'd go. It gives me the flexibility to use real applications AND still have access to my docs everywhere. But, I'm not a luddite, so...
Anybody know what file format it's saved in? (Score:2, Interesting)
Can I share it by emailing it or do I have to share it via Google?
Can I re-process it into a PDF?
Can I run it through a batch script?
Is it a format that I can search through locally and what meta-data does it expose to the host OS for use in filtering, organization, etc.
Re:not to slam Google but... (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course this is if everyone is using the same program for the same purpose. Its called gold plating. However, when it comes to the Office Suite everyone has a a different way of using the program. Take for example this comment within the thread.
i would use gdocs more often if i could do endnotes / footnotes with it.
lack of these is a deal-killer for me, and i imagine many in the academic world. the idea of chipping away at a paper in different offices and around the world is quite appealing to me, especially if i can collaborate on it.
I would say endnotes and footnotes fall into that 20% category. I certainly don't use them and neither do my colleagues. Of course within academia I would think they would be vitally important. Of course, then you start looking at the rest of the missing functionality and saying what else do I need to add and you end up where the Office Suite is today. While everyone will never use every piece of functionality within Word, everyone probably belongs to at least one 1% population that is using Word in a different way today. In fact, its the closest thing we have in the software world to being all things to all people.
Re:SharePoint (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:stop making things up (Score:2, Interesting)
Now you're picking nits. Using the offline feature in Google Docs is going to require a plug-in also... GASP!
Really? I've never come across one...
Well, evidently, you're living under a rock.
Maybe, but you still haven't provided any examples, so I'm more inclined to think they simply don't exist. That's not to say Google isn't trying, but there's no point in saying there are all these third-party sites that can use data in Google Docs if there ain't.
care to show us some examples?
Go read the Google Docs API documentation, or just try out one of the many third party Google Docs gadgets; they're a right click away in Google Spreadsheets.
And yet you can't actually link to a single one. Or are you saying the API documentation has a list of third-party sites that can import Google Docs?
Ah yes, the "fewer features are better" view. Seriously?
Within this context, it's not a view, it's a fact. Seriously.
If your co-workers waste your time with "fancy features" or whatever the hell you're complaining about, how is that Microsoft's fault? Take it up with your co-workers. More features in a product is always better; that's why Office sells so many copies in the first place. Seriously.