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Floating on Cloud Google
I recently purchased the new iMac to use at my office in Fort Washington. I was then forced to make the decision that has plagued we who follow the technology industry. I needed to pick a word processor. The choices: Google's Google Docs, Microsoft's Microsoft Office or Apple's iWork.
As a consistent user of Google's email service, Gmail, the answer was obvious. I would use Google's Google Docs. One obvious reason for this decision was the price difference. Apple's iWork, at a whopping $80, isn't exactly worth the cash when you consider that Google Docs offers everything that both iWork and Microsoft Office ($149) have including a word, presentation (Power Point) and spread sheet documents.
The second reason to chose Google Docs over the others was that Google Docs runs on a cloud server. Meaning I can access my Google Documents from any Web browser. In comparison, iWork and Microsoft Office can only be accessed via the individual desktop.
All three companies have fully mobilized (not like cell phones) in response to what the Economist, among other publications, are calling the cloud wars. Microsoft's release of Windows 7 was supposed to be the technology giant's response to Google and Apple's cloud servers but so far, I haven't heard much in the way of Microsoft using the cloud to its advantage.
Apple has tried catching up to Google with the MobileMe service but I've found trouble with looking through large folders of photos on the Apple cloud. I can never preview photos without downloading them off of the Apple cloud and onto my desktop.
I would really like to hear what others are thinking in terms of the cloud wars. I invite readers to send me a message or comment which explains their experiences with either of the three technology companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft) and their thoughts on how these companies are using the clouds. Check back soon.
Labels: apple, cloud, cloud server, cloud wars, Economist.com, google, microsoft, windows, windows 7
posted by Andy Stettler at
4:59 PM
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