Being a bit pettish about the CLOUDS’s user unfriendly options…”wah wah I want my MS WORD and all the toys.” has been the base for my frustration. But collaboration on a budget calls, so I’m going to have to shed my desire for handy toys…no make that TOOLS and get busy.
We have pretty much been working in the Cloud for email, forums, online groups, photo or file storage and other options all along. Did you know that a free Yahoo group permits you to upload files and pictures? Did you know that Flickr now lets users have GROUPS? Handy as all get out when we are traveling between worksites or working virtually at any location. But, also limited because we had to develop the documents for the files on the desktop; save, upload, download, change, resave and jump through the hoops in reverse or for the next go around of the collaboration. Documents were attached, lost (is that detached), confused as to generation. Collaboration took determination above all.
Then, one morning, I logged into VAnetworking.com and one of my fellow virtual assistants was writing about Google Writely. It seemed like such a cute application. I saw it more as a development tool than a publication option; simply forgetting the second choice until recently it was brought up by a colleague. Google Writely is now simply the document part of Google Docs.
Much as I love the Internet, I have resisted developing documents, spreadsheets and sites in the Cloud, using Google Docs and Google Apps. I wasn’t certain of the security…I’m still not, but can relent to develop something that I really don’t mind if you were to find it and read it. I didn’t like the way the options work. Having become so used to MS Office that I reflexively prepare my files, I find the Google tools clunky. I believe Google’s developers are working on this aspect or I’m just getting used to what is offered. The idea of being able to share documents, let others contribute and edit has become more appealing. With the Cloud, we lose hassles of the email thread that never ends, but will sure coil back on itself to confuse.
I can use Google docs when I choose to develop my blog posts for here, Particularly Virtual and Web Chips, just as I’ve done today when they all want to talk at once about the same topic.
One appealing aspect of new development in the Cloud is the option to login to the accounts OFF LINE. I remember being in a desperate rush to get to the post office. With a super slow (28kpbs) dialup connection, I would be trying to access my email to confirm an address! Then, I learned that I could open my Outlook Express OFF LINE. You cannot count the drops of sweat that were never born when that stress level changed.
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