Microsoft says next Office suite will go on the Web

[Paddy]

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20081028/wr_...rosoft_office_2

QUOTE

Microsoft said the new Office Web applications will be available for consumers on Office Live, although it did not disclose whether it would be paid for by advertising or subscriptions.

For large corporate customers, they can either pay for a license to run those applications online using their own computer servers, or run those programs in Microsoft's data centers for a monthly fee.

Microsoft said users will be able to view Word documents or Excel spreadsheets in the same way regardless of whether they are using a Web browser or on a standard desktop. The online Office version also has a similar look and feel to the desktop applications, albeit with less functions.

The new Office Web applications will work on Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox and Apple Inc's Safari browsers. They will be available for a technical preview sometime this year, according to Microsoft.

Sometime THIS year? Is that Microsoft time or real time?

No mention of whether or not it will work in the Mac versions of the browsers listed...

[Gregg]

Sounds like a scheme to make more money for Microsoft, and take more money from the consumer. I still have a stash of things I can no longer use. I suppose I'll toss it when the next transformation takes place, to make room for a new stash.

[Xairbusdriver]

It's simply an attempt to outflank Open Office/Neo Office which still lack some of MS Office features (and probably always will). The files will still be in the proprietary MS formats, so they will be no more platform agnostic than before. More and more software companies are seeking ways to make access to their products easier and since more is being done on the interweb, why not have access to most of the stuff you already use on the desktop. That you may also get to store your files off-site will be another 'come-on,' I suspect. Anything to provide a service that the company can convince someone to pay for. After all, most of us didn't even know we needed iPods 10 years ago...

[Paddy]

Actually, I think they're more concerned with Google (Google Docs) than any competition from OpenOffice etc.

[sandbox]

it's all a part of the cloud concept http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/...ichard.stallman

look around the web for the Cloud you'll soon be seeing it in the sky.

[Paddy]

I loved Larry Ellison's (Oracle founder) take on it:

QUOTE

The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we've redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do," he said. "The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It's complete gibberish. It's insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?"

Security concerns limit cloud for business

I think the headline says it all...

And nobody addressed the whole issue of network capability/networks going down/vulnerability to hackers etc. etc.

NO THANK YOU. I'm not handing control of anything I create over to Microsoft, Adobe or anyone else.

One other thing to ponder - Microsoft announced in the last couple of days that the Office business unit had overtaken the Windows unit as a revenue generator. Seems to me that they could be shooting themselves in the foot if they start putting the apps online for free in order to compete with Google. There would have to be a lot of advertising (which will annoy users) to make up for the lost revenue - and people might just migrate to Google Docs, where there are no ads cluttering things up.

[Xairbusdriver]

Did you mean:
they could be shooting themselves in the OTHER foot

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Oct 29 2008, 10:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did you mean:
they could be shooting themselves in the OTHER foot

That would make them the shot foot champions, wouldn't it?

[sandbox]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Oct 29 2008, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I loved Larry Ellison's (Oracle founder) take on it:

QUOTE

The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we've redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do," he said. "The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It's complete gibberish. It's insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?"

Security concerns limit cloud for business

I think the headline says it all...

And nobody addressed the whole issue of network capability/networks going down/vulnerability to hackers etc. etc.

NO THANK YOU. I'm not handing control of anything I create over to Microsoft, Adobe or anyone else.

One other thing to ponder - Microsoft announced in the last couple of days that the Office business unit had overtaken the Windows unit as a revenue generator. Seems to me that they could be shooting themselves in the foot if they start putting the apps online for free in order to compete with Google. There would have to be a lot of advertising (which will annoy users) to make up for the lost revenue - and people might just migrate to Google Docs, where there are no ads cluttering things up.

Paddy I feel the same way about online storage, it's BS. I know folks that can snatch that stuff up out of the clouds quicker than catching a runny nose on a cold winter day. Yes it's a matter of efficiency, as my software engineering friends would say...and who can argue with efficiency....right? horsefeathers. I'll go back to an abacus first before I store my stuff on someone clouds, service tray, butcher block table, or wet bar.

[Jack W]

QUOTE(sandbox @ Oct 30 2008, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Paddy I feel the same way about online storage, it's BS. I know folks that can snatch that stuff up out of the clouds quicker than catching a runny nose on a cold winter day. Yes it's a matter of efficiency, as my software engineering friends would say...and who can argue with efficiency....right? horsefeathers. I'll go back to an abacus first before I store my stuff on someone clouds, service tray, butcher block table, or wet bar.

IAW sandbox!
There is no way I would store my financial stuff or any of my personal and confidential files in M$ Cloud Space. No Way!
And even not in Google space.

Down with hackers and the like!

Too much chance of getting lost or mucked up or stolen or . . . . .

I much prefer my own computer that I have responsibility for and can take the steps to protect. And can backup to protect my investment of time, etc.

Maybe I'm out of step with reality, but so-be-it.

- Jack

[Paddy]

I can't see anyone wanting to go this route if they are made to understand the security concerns. It's one thing to store a few photos online (which you have backed up elsewhere, OF COURSE) but quite another to have all your personal documents up there in some "cloud" - just waiting for some thief to make off with it all, or someone to "oops", lose it. There has been enough theft/loss of credit card and SS numbers lately that anyone with half a brain should realize that this is a nutty idea.

And certainly nobody in enterprise is going to be interested either.

As far as I'm concerned, it's an idea that should be put to death - the sooner, the better.

[Xairbusdriver]

Unfortunately, the younger generation (less than 45!) is becoming much more at ease with the Internet and computers are simply second nature to them. Many are completely unaware of what happens when they hit "send." Some don't even care where stuff goes when a file is saved. As long as they can get it when (and if) they want it, fine. The majority of computer users have only a finite knowledge of 'security' in general and even less about what a 'cloud' is. I suspect that's the whole reason it's called a 'cloud!' Call it something that people know about but don't let them know what's really happening. After all, it's too complicated for "Joe." We'll take care of you, have no fear. What is the worst, is that most people would rather assume the speaker is giving them the truth than to do any research. When was the last time you had a discussion with your neighbors about 'cloud' security or what 'cloud computing' actually is? I think I've talked to my cat about it more than to the neighbors!

[Gregg]

I agree with Jack. I'm just hoping that when my Mini wears out, I'll be able to replace it with something that will still run the same software I'm currently using. At some point, I'll be old enough to figure I've bought my last computer. I just don't want to have to throw another batch of perfectly good software away because I can't run it on anything.

[krissel]

Wasn't it MS who tried to push this idea years ago with their belief that "net computing" would be the next big thing that all businesses would use? Isn't this the same thing with a new tag?

Actually the name "cloud" should be warning enough.  It blocks the sun, brings lightning, rain, hail, snow, etc.

Just the place to store valuable and personal documents.  

[sandbox]

Future conflict will be in space, taking out satellites will be a premium target. Students with lab made rockets could hit a cloud-server on their lunch break. Laser development could easily disrupt cloud-servers in the future. Sun and radiation could tweak transmissions. radio antenna could steal data in route. Nope, not ready for prime time.