Google Gears
June 18th 2007 02:57
There's been a lot of skepticism about the hype over 'Web Applications'... these are applications that you run over the internet, instead of installing software on your computer at home.
So, for example, instead of using Microsoft Word, you'd use Google Docs and Spreadsheets. It stores all of your work online, so it's available from any computer.
Of course, there's a lot of problems with this model, namely privacy concerns.
But beyond that, there's a bigger problem: if you don't have Internet connectivity, you can't work.
You can imagine that a storm would render all these businesses inoperable. Looks like Microsoft Office wins again!
Google is making it's claim, though, on the web app world, with the introduction of Google Gears. This is an extension that allows your browser to use web apps even when there's no internet connection.
My opinion: this is brilliant. It may not be the bell that tolls for Office, but with Gears, it becomes clear that Google at least has a gameplan.
As this plucky writer for Slate notes, Gears may be a 'momentous' turning point in the computing world.
After all, as Harry McCracken writes, 'One of the defining differences between Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux is the application lineup...But technologies like Gears render the operating system largely irrelevant.'
What does this mean? Let me spell it out for you:
You've got a small business. You want to buy a couple of computers, and just use them for writing documents and maintaining spreadsheets.
Option A: Buy Microsoft Windows ($200) and buy Microsoft Office Pro ($500). Everyone else that uses your documents will have to do the same. Sure, you can get deals if you buy the whole thing at Dell, but the price is still built-in.
Option B: Install Ubuntu on your computer ($0) and use the web for all your documents. Using Google Gears and Google Apps, you could get by on $50, I believe. Additionally, you have the added functionality of being able to access your documents on anyone else's computer, as long as they have an internet connection.
It's an easy choice, the way I paint it here. And sure, I'm distorting things a little, but if Microsoft Vista is as bad as they say (1. Upgrade Hell! 2. Vista is Terrible!), a whole flock of users are likely to switch teams to Linux.
Follow us.
So, for example, instead of using Microsoft Word, you'd use Google Docs and Spreadsheets. It stores all of your work online, so it's available from any computer.
Of course, there's a lot of problems with this model, namely privacy concerns.
But beyond that, there's a bigger problem: if you don't have Internet connectivity, you can't work.
You can imagine that a storm would render all these businesses inoperable. Looks like Microsoft Office wins again!
My opinion: this is brilliant. It may not be the bell that tolls for Office, but with Gears, it becomes clear that Google at least has a gameplan.
As this plucky writer for Slate notes, Gears may be a 'momentous' turning point in the computing world.
After all, as Harry McCracken writes, 'One of the defining differences between Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux is the application lineup...But technologies like Gears render the operating system largely irrelevant.'
What does this mean? Let me spell it out for you:
You've got a small business. You want to buy a couple of computers, and just use them for writing documents and maintaining spreadsheets.
Option A: Buy Microsoft Windows ($200) and buy Microsoft Office Pro ($500). Everyone else that uses your documents will have to do the same. Sure, you can get deals if you buy the whole thing at Dell, but the price is still built-in.
Option B: Install Ubuntu on your computer ($0) and use the web for all your documents. Using Google Gears and Google Apps, you could get by on $50, I believe. Additionally, you have the added functionality of being able to access your documents on anyone else's computer, as long as they have an internet connection.
It's an easy choice, the way I paint it here. And sure, I'm distorting things a little, but if Microsoft Vista is as bad as they say (1. Upgrade Hell! 2. Vista is Terrible!), a whole flock of users are likely to switch teams to Linux.
Follow us.
| 83 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Dontcha just love that scene in the 'South park' movie where theyve got Bill Gates in hell, and Satan says, "isnt it supposed to be faster?"
"It is faster, over - "
BOOM! Satan blows him away!
And those Mac vs PC ads have me in stitches! "w.ttyn? I dont know, it just happens!"
Thats me shutting down the laptop. Failed error, oh yeah, hes a goner!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
James, look forward to a Microsoft-free life!
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Let's see how it all goes.
katyzzz
Comment by Damo
I am waiting for someone to wake me up.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
katyzzz, you can try it out if you're curious!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
So we'll see!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak