Long time since I last posted here. I didn’t felt like posting for a while.
Anyway, yesterday Google launched Google Apps Premier Edition .They want to give you complete freedom from the desktop (usually would be Microsoft desktop ) and move you completely on the web.
There are some trends which to me seems very interesting.
Is clear that Google wants you on the web (on Google’s internet) and is doing everything it can to achieve that. Also is clear that there are 2 big issues with you trusting everything you have (metaphoric speaking for the time being ) to Google:
- What are you going to do when you do not have access to the internet? Probably you won’t have any solution until 3rd quarter this year when Firefox 3 is going to be available providing support for off line apps. Probably around the launch time for Firefox 3, Google is going to release a small Linux (Free BSD) based operating system which will launch Firefox with tabs for all the services Google will provide at that stage. I dare to say that most probably they will provide access to their services using other devices (maybe Apple’s Iphone ). So far these are just educated guesses but it feels like every piece of the puzzle is going to be at the right place and the right time.
- What are you going to do about privacy. I have very awkward feelings about Google lately. I like so much what they are doing, but I so don’t like the fact that all my data is belonging to them.
I think I have a possible alternative solution to what Google has to offer. To me is clear that probably less than 20% actually are using the collaboration option provided by different providers of the web apps. Most of the users, are using the web apps in “a standalone mode”. Also all the users need to download an web browser (OK. that app is most of the time bundled with the operating system) for them to be able to access the applications.
What if somebody will start developing a standard application maybe based on Firefox or Thunderbird which should provide: mail through IMAP, calendar through Ical, Chat based on Jabber, basic word and excel like capabilities (no more than what Google is offering now), and an authentication system based on openid.
You get freed from Google, but you need to have access to providers of IMAP, Ical, offsite storage (maybe something based on Amazon S3).
You get offline applications.
Your data will belong to you.
You will still be able to access your data from any device which is able to run that standard application.
Really interesting post.
On the privacy side I think you’re right; Google hold too much of our data. + they are being pressured constantly by the US Government to give it up to them (Yahoo and Amazon gave in to them). I guess it’s only a matter of time
I’m really surprised they have released Google Apps already. I mean they have some good services but I’ve never seen the Google Document viewer work properly for Open Office or Word documents. Spreadsheets weren’t too hot either. I think I’ll wait until it’s more mature.
I like the idea of an all-in-one browser/application suite. Google may have too much of a headstart though. It will be quite difficult for someone to develop a similar system with privacy features and get it marketed. I suppose the opensource route would work if enough interest is generated – then it could avalanche!