It seems that online word processing has suddenly become sexy.
Within hours of each other, both Microsoft and Adobe have joined Google, Zoho, and other companies in promoting new online document creating/sharing services. What gives?
With Microsoft, which just announced the forthcoming Office Live Workspace, it may be simply that somebody at Redmond has finally figured out that they’re no longer the only kids on the block.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Adobe is apparently putting together an online document collaboration service that will include its latest acquisition, an online Flash-based word processor called Buzzword.
Not all of Adobe’s online services are free of charge – for example, its Create PDF service is $10 a month but there’s no reason to think that Adobe won’t have the good sense to offer at least this application without cost.
In fact, it’s become increasingly evident that basic applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation are moving out of the realm of for-pay software and into the new category of “free for individuals.”
Some of these services are financed via advertising; others by charging for more storage or increased functionality.
The bottom line for many users, however, is that it’s here, it’s available, and it’s free. Why pay several hundred dollars for Microsoft Office?
Well, because there are still plenty of things that you can do with Microsoft Office or Corel’s WordPerfect, for that matter that haven’t yet been matched online, such as indexing and columns.
In addition, most online word processors haven’t yet been able to sync their documents in real time so that users can have full editing access while away from an Internet connection.
So it seems that Microsoft’s shiny new Office 2007 suite isn’t in jeopardy quite yet.
However as more free applications become available, and as their feature sets continue to widen, it’s obvious that office suite vendors will have to get on the wagon or be left behind.
It will be interesting to see whether Microsoft will give Office Live Workspace enough muscle to really compete.
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‘Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch’ is a childrens book, which I own. Nice post.