I've been head deep into taking apart Ray Ozzie's Mesh vision for Microsoft, putting thoughts to the implications of applications which can live on the desktop (installed or virtual apps), streamed, or live entirely in the cloud. The competitor for Mesh is obviously Google. Today Google takes a page right out of the Ozzie Mesh vision and announces offline access for Google Apps, what I call Google Docs "unplugged". Users will now be able to view and edit Google Docs word docs, and soon, Google Docs spreadsheets while unplugged from the net.
Google's flipped a key element of Ozzie's Mesh strategy on it's head, by delivering desktop apps from the cloud first and then adding unplugged functionality. Microsoft has the same problem in reverse, and an infinitely bigger challenge to get there: rebuild Microsoft apps so they can become cloud enabled and friendly, plus, pull the channel and embedded software revenue stream along in the process.
But the future's not all doom and gloom just because of Google's progress in bringing unplugged versions of cloud apps to users. Microsoft would be smart to be extremely observant about the end user experience, user feedback and usage patterns of Google Doc users, and then plow that knowledge back into Windows Live and other Microsoft Mesh efforts.
The consequences of Google's unplugged capabilities will be significant -- I think we'll see a large advances in the acceptance and use of Google Docs now that they have unplugged capabilities. Why buy Word, Excel or PowerPoint for the home or second computer if you really don't need it? As Google perfects and deepens its unplugged app capability, the real threat to Microsoft is now out playing on the field. Don't underplay the importance of Google's announcement -- what sounds like a feature, is really a huge enabler for Google's cloud app strategy to take on Microsoft.
Now, if we just had a way for Google Docs to cache stored documents and synchronize them when we reconnect. Hmmm.....
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Now, if we just had a way
Now, if we just had a way for Google Docs to cache stored documents and synchronize them when we reconnect. Hmmm.....
Uhhh, they do. That's kind of the point.
From the Google Docs blog:
"As long as I have an Internet connection, every change I make is saved to the cloud. When I lose my connection, I sacrifice some features, but I can still access my documents (for this initial release, you can view and edit word processing documents; right now we don't support offline access to presentations or spreadsheets - see our help center for details). Everything I need is saved locally. And I do everything through my web browser, even when I'm offline (the goodness that Google Gears provides). When my connection comes back, my documents sync up again with the server.
It's all pretty seamless: I don't have to remember to save my documents locally before packing my laptop for a trip. I don't have to remember to save my changes as soon as I get back online. And I don't have to switch applications based on network connectivity. With the extra peace of mind, I can more fully rely on this tool for my important documents."
Uh, have you even actually USED Office Live?
Are you sure you're doing a fair comparison here? Have you even used Office Live?
Now, given, Office Live is in beta still, but if you ask me it's Google doing the catch-up right now... Google's working from the web to the desktop, and Microsoft's working from the desktop to the web, but it's really the same thing. And until Google's announcement, Microsoft was definitely ahead on features. (Arguably, they still are.)
Imagine if I wrote an article with the headline, "Dell scoops Compaq: delivers Intel laptop first!" That's basically what this is.
Please try to do a teeny bit of research on Microsoft's product before you label Microsoft as "scooped."
Umm, I don't think so,
Umm, I don't think so, anonymous.
You're a brainwashed Micro$oft bigot.
Google is more open, less proprietary evil.
In the long run, open will win.
Stop the flameing -
Since you may not realize that the Microsoft open doc format was approved (though not final for at least two months) by the ISO, your proprietary argument is just tossed out onto its head.
Please stop flaming people just because of your own personal views and add useful commentary.
Google: Apps + Storage in the Cloud
The difference here is that Google now has both the application AND storage in the cloud. Live is just storage but the apps still live on the desktop.
Mitchell Ashley
Converging Network, LLC
Personal blog: http://theconvergingnetwork.com
Personal podcast: http://www.clickcaster.com/ss
"The cloud"
Interesting, but the office suite is last decade's format war. MSFT is already out in front of the next one with its Sharepoint product, which gives small teams enough collaboration and revision control to get something done. Google is playing catch-up there, but with some merging code on the server side they could add an "Invite" button to documents and give the service some viral marketing power.
You missed his point
I think he meant to have a way to pass (offline) word files from our disk to the "offline app", so that when you go back online, the document gets saved to the online archives too.
The document doesnt exist while online, is created, and then uploaded when connection exists.
I guess I still don't get it
What does this do that batch importing from Word to Google Docs won't?
It seems like a pretty arcane use of Google Gears to import documents into the cloud without an internet connection. Like having version control before you've added a file to the repository. Maybe that's why I still don't get it. When would you need this?
re: I guess I still don't get it
"Maybe that's why I still don't get it. When would you need this?"
Got two words for you buddy. "Dial Up"
Not everyone has high speed DSL/CABLE/Fibre.
The ability to cache files offline is a feature to the google docs software which is relativly new. So since you sound like (from your post that is) you dont even use the product, the answer becomes you dont need it! But others do and will so keep on trucking and remember the small people who dont have high speed.
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