Comments on: Can Online Office Suites Replace Desktop Office Suites?

By: Another Online Office Which Isn’t Google » PCMech

Another Online Office Which Isn’t Google » PCMech — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:33:11 +0000

[...] did try Zoho briefly while researching my online office suites article, but found Google Docs to be more to my liking. Overall though, it comes down to personal [...]

By: bobby

bobby — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:34:12 +0000

>Of course, all of the
>above “requirements” add unneeded
>overhead to simply editing or
>accessing a document

all the “overhead” of installation and configuration are 1-time efforts.

the overhead of plugging in a usb flash drive is the same as the overhead of logging in. in fact plugging in is less annoying than typing in a name and password daily.

having apps locally on each computer means you upgrade them when YOU want to. you can expect the interface of online apps to change over years. if you happen to not like the new changes all you can do is pray that they still offer the old interface.

the con you list of apps only being available when online is HUGE.

By: Jason Faulkner

Jason Faulkner — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:34:48 +0000

I tried Zoho and liked it as much as Google Docs, but to me it seems they were trying to rip off Google’s look (just look at their icon interfaces and help documentation and compare to Google Docs) which really puts a bad taste in my mouth. Additionally, I only needed a word processor and spreadsheet and not the 20 other apps Zoho offers (“jack of all trades” type applications). Since I already have a Gmail account, Google Docs just made more sense.
I also think since Google has 3 online apps (word processor, spreadsheet and presentation) their efforts will be more focused on improving these as opposed to working on a myraid other other apps. This is just my take though.

As for worrying about a company going out of business, I would put Google at the bottom of my list. I would be more worried about a company who does nothing but host online office apps, because they have to make money somehow so (most likely) eventually they will start charging you, inundating you with ads or go under. Google on the other hand… well you already know.

As far as backing up your data, there is always the old fashioned way:
http://lifehacker.com/software/hack-attack/back-up-your-google-apps-data-281635.php
Face it, if your hard drive crashes and you don’t have a backup, your hosed then too. I think your hard drive is much more likely to crash than Google “pulling the plug”.

By: kalivd

kalivd — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:25:21 +0000

I could not agree more. My two bit. I use eDeskonline because it INTEGRATES all my information: eg my website's content-management system, though there are many other online office suites like Zoho, Thinkfree etc., eDeskonline offers me unmatched speed with many other extra features that others dont.

By: Albert A

Albert A — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:56:56 +0000

I would always have concerns for keeping all my documents on line with any company. What if Google ceases business (as unlikely as that may be) and suddenly goes off line never to be seen again? How to retrieve your data then?

By: Tyler M

Tyler M — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:06:42 +0000

Not sure if it would have the functionality you need but another suite you could check out is Zoho.

By: David M

David M — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:30:45 +0000

Doubtful.
Installing word processing software is relatively cheap and easy and it keeps the creeps from potentially looking at your private documents.