Online Office Suites: Contenders or Pretenders?

Although many people are still wondering whether they should upgrade to the newest version of Microsoft Office, some people are considering a completely different alternative. The question isn't whether or not to upgrade, it's whether to install software on your computer or access it online!

The idea of online applications has been around for a while now, but its biggest feature was also its biggest pitfall - online accessibility. For those of us with dialup connections or limited Internet access, online applications weren't much of an option. No one wants to be limited to using their word processing or spreadsheet application only when they have Internet connectivity. However, as broadband Internet connections have become increasingly common, permitting 24/7 access, the concept of online applications is being revisited.

One of the companies providing online applications is a familiar name - Google. Google Docs provides word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications, but no database software. Of course, Google also has GMail and calendar features, but they aren't integrated with Google Docs the way Microsoft Outlook integrates with Office.

But, Google's not the only company trying to give Microsoft a run for its money. Zoho, ThinkFree Online, and Glide also offer online alternatives. In two recent articles, Information Week reviewed and compared these four options. The first article covers Google and Zoho, while the second explores ThinkFree Online and Glide.

There are benefits and disadvantages with all of these choices. On the plus side, many of the applications are free or low-cost. Due to the fact that your work is often stored online, accessing your files from various locations is much easier - no more worrying that you left that important presentation file at home. In the same vein, online access makes collaborating with others simpler too. However, disadvantages still surround the online concept - what happens if you can't access the Internet or the application's server dies? Depending on the application, it may not be possible to back up your work to your own computer, so you need to be sure the company and your Internet service will be reliable. Some of these products will work with existing Office documents, while others may not. And, the level of functionality and features offered may be less than what Office users are accustomed to.

Discussion Questions for Students
1) Do you think the benefits of online applications outweigh the risks?
2) Have you tried any of these applications? If so, how was your experience with them?
3) Would you be willing to forego fancy formatting options and other design features for an application that can produce basic documents for minimal (or zero) cost?
4) Would you consider using an online application as a secondary tool - to supplement but not replace a more conventional application that is installed on your computer?
5) How do you think these online applications remain profitable with their current pricing structures? Do you think the costs may rise if they become more popular?

Running with the Big Cats

Apple released Leopard, the much anticipated upgrade to their current operating system - Mac OS X - on October 26. Initial reviews are favorable and indicate that this new version of the Mac OS will be superior to the new Windows Vista OS. Leopard replaces the previous version, known as Tiger, and will come already loaded on all new Macs. Users will also be able to upgrade their current systems for $129. It should be possible to upgrade machines that are as much as six years old - something that is much less likely to happen for older computers running Windows. Unlike Vista, which is available in four different versions with a varying range of features and pricing (from $100 up to $260), Leopard has only one version. So the only decision the consumer needs to make is whether or not to buy it!

Apple indicates that there are 300 new features in this version of the operating system! Some features have received particularly good reviews, including Time Machine, a backup utility that works in the background to automatically archive and protect your important files. Boot Camp, which allows users to also run the Microsoft Windows operating system (Vista or XP, either of which must be purchased separately) on a Mac, is now included - formerly, it needed to be downloaded and installed separately. The Mac OS also plays well with Linux, making it a very versatile choice.

Reviewers, such as Walt Mossburg from the Wall Street Journal, have indicated that the installation of Leopard was relatively quick and painless and, unlike Vista, they have encountered very few compatability issues with software or hardware. Edward C. Baig of USA Today writes favorably about the aesthetics of the new OS. iChat has added many new special effects, Mail has a new assortment of stationery templates, and some of the new desktop features, including a new version of the Dock and the Spaces virtual desktop feature, allow users to view information in new and creative ways. The general consensus is that Mac users will be pleased with this new cat!

Discussion Questions for Students:
1. Have you ever used a Mac computer?
2. If you have, how do you think it compares to a computer running Windows?
3. Do you think the new features of the Mac will tempt more people to switch from Microsoft Windows?
4. The new Leopard launch seems to be proceeding much more smoothly, and with greater acceptance, than the launch for Windows Vista. What are your thoughts on this?