Google Docs

Wow, this is cool. I have been using Google Spreadsheets instead of using Microsoft Excel. There are some features that haven’t been implemented, but for the most part, I’m able to do anything that I need to do with Google Spreadsheets.

Recently Google added Google Docs to the mix.

In early March of 2006, Google acquired Writely. They have now integrated into the rest of their product offerings. In fact, I’m writing this blog post (and will be able to publish it to the blog) in Google Docs.

This shouldn’t earth-shattering news for anyone. This is precisely why Google acquired Writely in the first place. To create an online word-processing application that could be added to Google’s existing applications (Gmail, and Google Spreadsheets) and that would compete with Microsoft’s Office suite.

I definitely like where this is headed. The software that’s been created is so very usable. I held off using Gmail at first, I didn’t really get it. I was in the process of switching computers and needed a common place to get email, so I set it up to receive all my email, via Gmail. And I fell in love. It’s easy, it’s smart, and it’s always there. I don’t ever have to worry about not being able to get into my mailbox. At least I haven’t yet. I don’t think I’ll ever switch back to a desktop mail application. Similarly, I doubt if I’ll ever use desktop apps again for writing documents, or doing spreadsheet work. I simply don’t have to. Google has made it so easy for me to do it all in one place, with consistent UI features.