Why Google Docs is HOT and Office Live is NOT.

Functional Office Suite entirely web based = HOT
Web based sharing tool, without the abiliy to edit documents = NOT

Things are changing in the software world. Software is shifting from something that you buy to something that you rent. This movement is called Software-As-A-Service (or SAAS). Software companies like it due to the magic of recurring revenue. Users like it because they will always, if the provider is any good, have up to date applications. If this software is web based and runs inside a browser window (so it can run on any computer, those who know the history of Java should be feeling like you have been here before), you have a force to be reckoned with. Google has taken Open Office, SAASed it and provides it for free. Recently, Microsoft, not wanting to be outdone rolled out with Live Office. Microsoft wanting to compete with Google, stole Google's interface and applied typical Redmond thinking (more on that later).

How Google Documents (or should I say SAAS) Has Changed My Life:

Google documents has fundamentally changed the way I use computers. I no longer carry a flash drive full of my documents. When I need to work on something, I log into Google documents and there it is. Take for instance, this blog post, part of it was written on my six year old iBook, while watching TV with Crystal (my significant other), it was later finished on my new iMac. I did not have to transfer files between the computers and if I wanted to use a Windows box, I could. In fact the laptop's batteries died while I was at Crystal's house (something to do with not charging it for a week) but I was not worried. I knew that my work was safely stored on some Google server somewhere*. Furthermore, when I want to share a document with someone, I simply give them access.

Don't get me wrong, Google Documents is a work in progress. The documents are not the best when printed, presentations leave a lot to be desired, my favorite excel tool, Pivot Tables are just not present and forget about macros. However, the strength of the online platform is enough to dissuade me from actually using an office suite on my personal computers. I would guess that it would be possible for a, broke, adaptable college student to complete their entire academic experience in Google Documents.

Where Microsoft Went Wrong:

As I said, my personal favorite tool, Pivot Tables are not present in Google Documents. Microsoft had the opportunity to capitalize on this. Why not take Office, SAAS it, wrap around the online sharing and presto, killer app. However, Microsoft was thinking with their pocket change not their portfolio. What I mean is Microsoft appears to not be thinking about the long term implications of SAAS, rather they are trying to reinforce the old model. As I am cheap, there is little chance that I would pay for Microsoft's service. However, many business would. And for guys like me, there is always contextual advertising.

As it stands now Live Office is only a sharing tool. It lacks the ability to actually edit the documents. Creating a SAAS type office application without the ability to actually edit the documents is about the same a making a doomsday machine and not telling anyone... pointless. This behavior of doing something half-way so you can still sell your software through the traditional channels is what I would expect from Microsoft. Furthermore, the idea that they would give their software the ability to run anytime anywhere thought the magic for the Internet is Microsoft blasphemy.

Now to be fair, Live Office does have some advantages for people who are not wanting to host their own Exchange server. But really, really... I want a web based Pivot Table.




* Those of you reading this in your bunkers, with your tin foil hats, please chill out. At no time did I say this was a perfect system... or that Google is watching you... which they are...