Writely - Programs like this could be keeping Mr. Gates up late at night. There's been a push for awhile now to move applications off our desktops and on to the net, which, the more I think about it, is a fantabulous idea. It would free up even more space on your harddrive, plus keep your registry cleaner and not tie up so many resources. You've probably already seen some applications of this idea such as Google Maps, but now Writely has taken it a step further.
To be sure, this isn't the first time a web-based word processing program has been introduced, but this time it's much more effective. I've tinkered with it myself and found there to be little to no lag time between what you input to the server and what you get back. In short, it's not much different than using MS Word, at least not for casual use. The other nice feature is that you can share documents online with other people if you so choose, so there's no having to email copies to people, have them edit it, then email it back. It's all done online. I'm even thinking of uploading drafts of my book so that select people can read up to the minute drafts without having to ask for them. As I've yet to reinstall any office products after my virus crash, I may try this out as my main writing app and see how it goes. And so far Writely is free.
If programs like this keep developing it spells trouble for Mr. Gates, as no one will need to buy MS Office. Even worse, there's been rumors Google wants to develop an online OS. Not quite sure how that would work or if it will ever happen, but it's got to be on Bill's radar screen. Perhaps this is why Microsoft came out with their own version of Google Maps, Windows Live Local, which by some accounts is better than it's competition. It's also why, I'm told, Microsoft was so bent on snuffing out Netscape. Once application move online, which they should, Bill's power over desktops is greatly diminished.
2 comments:
I think you must have missed the reviews and tech commentaries about MSG (Micro Soft Gates) as his plan in the future is to have us rent or lease his applications across the net and stop selling them to us. He feels he can make more money by having people pay for their addiction to Office than in selling them the plant.
I'm sure he will make more money doing it that way, and I think that's why we're seeing Windows Local Live, but I also think he'll be playing on a more level field over the net, as he doesn't control it yet. But it is something he's been worried about from the articles I've read. I also think web based applications are the way to go, at least for some kinds of apps. If MS puts out the best version, I'll gladly use it.
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