Comments on: Rationale for Office 2.0 http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/ New Rules for a New IT World Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:53:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: R. J. Fields, Jr. http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-492624 R. J. Fields, Jr. Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:01:47 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-492624 It's amazing how accurate it is that "everything changes and yet everything stays the same". In the ancient pre-web days of mainframe-terminal architecture, deep-pocketed companies paid massive amounts for programs/software/applications that could be centrally stored (along with data) and accessed if not collaboratively, then at least simultaneously. Then along came the PC and that model mostly gave way, for many reasons, not the least of which was cost. Standalone or multi-user desktop applications became the norm and Microsoft and Apple grew to be the monopolies that they still are today. Then dial-up for the masses gave way to broadband higher-speed connectivity and the concept of a computer has again morphed, with eager young programmer/entrepreneurial types now proclaiming that software-as-a-service is the dawn of a new era in computing, something that only the inside "visionary" technorati can really appreciate. Well, the box has changed and the programming as well, but the concept is as ancient as digital computing. Will it be less expensive this time around? For medium and large companies, more than likely. For the SOHO and individual, that is definitely an open question. Most programmers cannot presently afford to give away their time, at least not indefinitely; and I am not aware of any venture capitalists, CEOs or employees who are not concerned with salaries and profit. Either advertising subsidies or customer revenue must be there. It's really no more complex than that. So, SaaS or Office 2.0, well, neither is a new concept, and whether the digital divide will be lessened by online applications will be entirely dependent on cost. If, as seems to be already happening, the SaaS entrepreneur sees those dollar signs mounting in the monthly revenue stream capable of being generated by online storage and updates to premium online applications, then the end consumer could be in an even worse monetary crunch as his/her monthly tribute to the digital gods escalates. There are very few original ideas (and yes that even includes the iPhone), and the promoters of SaaS or online applications will hopefully turn down the hype. On the other hand, if this recycled concept can be made practically available at very reasonable rates, i.e., if it can break the Microsoft/Apple logjam, then despite its lack of theoretical innovation, it may be useful. Here's hoping. It’s amazing how accurate it is that “everything changes and yet everything stays the same”. In the ancient pre-web days of mainframe-terminal architecture, deep-pocketed companies paid massive amounts for programs/software/applications that could be centrally stored (along with data) and accessed if not collaboratively, then at least simultaneously. Then along came the PC and that model mostly gave way, for many reasons, not the least of which was cost. Standalone or multi-user desktop applications became the norm and Microsoft and Apple grew to be the monopolies that they still are today. Then dial-up for the masses gave way to broadband higher-speed connectivity and the concept of a computer has again morphed, with eager young programmer/entrepreneurial types now proclaiming that software-as-a-service is the dawn of a new era in computing, something that only the inside “visionary” technorati can really appreciate.

Well, the box has changed and the programming as well, but the concept is as ancient as digital computing. Will it be less expensive this time around? For medium and large companies, more than likely. For the SOHO and individual, that is definitely an open question. Most programmers cannot presently afford to give away their time, at least not indefinitely; and I am not aware of any venture capitalists, CEOs or employees who are not concerned with salaries and profit. Either advertising subsidies or customer revenue must be there. It’s really no more complex than that. So, SaaS or Office 2.0, well, neither is a new concept, and whether the digital divide will be lessened by online applications will be entirely dependent on cost. If, as seems to be already happening, the SaaS entrepreneur sees those dollar signs mounting in the monthly revenue stream capable of being generated by online storage and updates to premium online applications, then the end consumer could be in an even worse monetary crunch as his/her monthly tribute to the digital gods escalates. There are very few original ideas (and yes that even includes the iPhone), and the promoters of SaaS or online applications will hopefully turn down the hype. On the other hand, if this recycled concept can be made practically available at very reasonable rates, i.e., if it can break the Microsoft/Apple logjam, then despite its lack of theoretical innovation, it may be useful. Here’s hoping.

]]> By: ajxloepyqp http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-57560 ajxloepyqp Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:08:53 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-57560 male strippers getting money from women male strippers getting money from women

]]> By: IT|Redux » iPhone and Office 2.0 http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-33269 IT|Redux » iPhone and Office 2.0 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:29:42 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-33269 [...] The rationale for Office 2.0 should be pretty obvious to you if you’re reading this blog, but it would take years for most end users to really understand the benefits of the concept, and make the leap of faith that is required to move from what they know and works (Office 1.0 productivity suites) to what they’re being sold and might break (Office 2.0). So instead of evangelizing the concept, Steve and his folks will put a working version of it in many pockets, all at once. They’ll start with 10 millions in 2008, and if the iPod’s success is any indication, most users of Office 1.0 productivity suites should have been exposed to the idea before the end of the decade. [...] […] The rationale for Office 2.0 should be pretty obvious to you if you’re reading this blog, but it would take years for most end users to really understand the benefits of the concept, and make the leap of faith that is required to move from what they know and works (Office 1.0 productivity suites) to what they’re being sold and might break (Office 2.0). So instead of evangelizing the concept, Steve and his folks will put a working version of it in many pockets, all at once. They’ll start with 10 millions in 2008, and if the iPod’s success is any indication, most users of Office 1.0 productivity suites should have been exposed to the idea before the end of the decade. […]

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-15168 Ismael Ghalimi Tue, 17 Oct 2006 01:39:08 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-15168 Paul, Yes, we are using it for complex documents. Very good tool. Paul,

Yes, we are using it for complex documents. Very good tool.

]]> By: Paul Kim http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-14840 Paul Kim Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:25:43 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-14840 I was wondering if you tried ThinkFree for your online word processor. It is the only online office I would consider using because its features are so much closer to Microsoft Word, and a lot more stable dealing with larger files. I was wondering if you tried ThinkFree for your online word processor. It is the only online office I would consider using because its features are so much closer to Microsoft Word, and a lot more stable dealing with larger files.

]]> By: MIT Innovation Club Blog » Blog Archive » ‘Office 2.0′ conference http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-14733 MIT Innovation Club Blog » Blog Archive » ‘Office 2.0′ conference Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:31:20 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-14733 [...] <a href="http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/">Rationale for Office 2.0</a> [...] […] Rationale for Office 2.0 […]

]]> By: InstaBlog http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-10369 InstaBlog Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:54:18 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-10369 [...] An interesting post here about Office 2.0 arguing why Web-based productivity applications are better than the status quo (Microsoft Office presumably). Thought it might be worthwhile for us to match Live Documents against some of the points made in the post: [...] […] An interesting post here about Office 2.0 arguing why Web-based productivity applications are better than the status quo (Microsoft Office presumably). Thought it might be worthwhile for us to match Live Documents against some of the points made in the post: […]

]]> By: Business Two Zero » Blog Archive » Office 2.0 Conference - head for SF in October http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-8772 Business Two Zero » Blog Archive » Office 2.0 Conference - head for SF in October Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:13:54 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-8772 [...]      Ismael Ghalimi, one the Enterprise Irregulars, is organising the first Office 2.0 conference  in San Fancisco in October.  I’ve mentioned Ismael’s IT|Redux blog before - he explains his rationale for the Office 2.0 concept here, and then collects together appropriate tools here.  The conference: “brings together Office 2.0 companies, early adopters, investors, industry analysts, and journalists. The goal for the event is to collectively build the foundation for Office 2.0, investigate technical challenges, and showcase practical applications. Most importantly, it will be an opportunity for like-minded people to meet and network with an elite group of visionaries and industry  leaders.”I’m trying to organise attending, and there should be quite a European contingent with Dennis Howllet and David Tebbut both intending to make the trip.  The Irregulars are planning to meet up on the evening before - it should be quite a landmark event in a number of ways.   Technorati Tags : Office+2.0, Web+2.0, Enterprise+Irregulars, IntalioPowered By Qumana   [link] [...] […]      Ismael Ghalimi, one the Enterprise Irregulars, is organising the first Office 2.0 conference  in San Fancisco in October.  I’ve mentioned Ismael’s IT|Redux blog before - he explains his rationale for the Office 2.0 concept here, and then collects together appropriate tools here.  The conference: “brings together Office 2.0 companies, early adopters, investors, industry analysts, and journalists. The goal for the event is to collectively build the foundation for Office 2.0, investigate technical challenges, and showcase practical applications. Most importantly, it will be an opportunity for like-minded people to meet and network with an elite group of visionaries and industry  leaders.”I’m trying to organise attending, and there should be quite a European contingent with Dennis Howllet and David Tebbut both intending to make the trip.  The Irregulars are planning to meet up on the evening before - it should be quite a landmark event in a number of ways.   Technorati Tags : Office+2.0, Web+2.0, Enterprise+Irregulars, IntalioPowered By Qumana   [link] […]

]]> By: Dennis Howlett http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-8668 Dennis Howlett Fri, 18 Aug 2006 23:44:05 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-8668 [...] I believe Office 2.0 will be a pivotal event. Since the turn of the year, Ismael has been cobbling together a bunch of hosted applications. The idea is to create a low cost, shareable, portable computing environment that anyone with access to a browser can use. Sounds enticing. Ismael explains the rationale here. [...] […] I believe Office 2.0 will be a pivotal event. Since the turn of the year, Ismael has been cobbling together a bunch of hosted applications. The idea is to create a low cost, shareable, portable computing environment that anyone with access to a browser can use. Sounds enticing. Ismael explains the rationale here. […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-188 IT|Redux Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:22:26 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-188 [...] The concept for Office 2.0 is getting more and more popular these days. Mercurytide recently published the well-written A life online: living decentralised, a list of Office 2.0 services (many thanks to Assaf for the link), while Rod Boothby is keeping his Web Office Directory constantly updated with new goodies. Not to be undone, I have consolidated all the services I currently use into an updated Office 2.0 Setup. Because a lot of this setup revolves around Salesforce.com, which not everybody can afford, I have also added a list of alternative services, most of which are free. The term ‘Office 2.0′ is also getting some adoption and was recently used in a first podcast by Dennis McDonald, Martin McKeay, Jeremiah Owyang, Daniel Sweet and Robyn Tippins. [...] […] The concept for Office 2.0 is getting more and more popular these days. Mercurytide recently published the well-written A life online: living decentralised, a list of Office 2.0 services (many thanks to Assaf for the link), while Rod Boothby is keeping his Web Office Directory constantly updated with new goodies. Not to be undone, I have consolidated all the services I currently use into an updated Office 2.0 Setup. Because a lot of this setup revolves around Salesforce.com, which not everybody can afford, I have also added a list of alternative services, most of which are free. The term ‘Office 2.0′ is also getting some adoption and was recently used in a first podcast by Dennis McDonald, Martin McKeay, Jeremiah Owyang, Daniel Sweet and Robyn Tippins. […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-184 IT|Redux Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:13:51 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2006/01/16/rationale-for-office-20/#comment-184 [...] Collaboration features are goodPart of the value of storing your data online is that it enables collaboration with other people, as described in this article. For that reason, services that support document sharing and publishing will always get my preference over services that keep data to myself only, as long as they do it in a secure manner. In that respect, support for both public and private bookmarks was one of the primary reasons why I upgraded from del.icio.us to Simpy. [...] […] Collaboration features are goodPart of the value of storing your data online is that it enables collaboration with other people, as described in this article. For that reason, services that support document sharing and publishing will always get my preference over services that keep data to myself only, as long as they do it in a secure manner. In that respect, support for both public and private bookmarks was one of the primary reasons why I upgraded from del.icio.us to Simpy. […]

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