Comments on: Google, now more web worker friendly

By: Hugues de Saint Salvy

Hugues de Saint Salvy — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:13:38 +0000

Hi Chris, I fully agree that online storage (the much-rumored GDrive) is in our future and this integration with Gmail is a small step towards this. My main concern right now lies with the privacy and security of Google Docs and Spreadsheets. More and more people are now logged into their Google accounts for extensive periods of time, if not constantly, and do not bother to log out, because of their personalized homepage or Gmail account. This opens a security breach because any passer-by that gets a hold of your computer while you are away can now access your private documents. I have proposed a fix for this problem that sharply increases the protection level for those documents that you want to keep private. Here's the link to my article (with pictures of the suggested feature). Let me know your feedback, Hugo

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:42:57 +0000

I have 2 major concerns (Except security of course):

1.- Confidentiality. Do you really think that not a single employee or consultant will never ever never open and read your documents? I do not believe that they will publish your document elsewhere. But for sure they will use them later for their own purpose and may be your future competitor. Everybody who has been working in these big companies know how it works…. And confidentiality agreements between employees/contractors and the big companies are… only for… marketing…

2.- Reliability. Usually no warranty is offered in these services: if they lose your data, it is lost. So you cannot relie on their service. And you have to plan a backup system on *your* side…

By: Danni

Danni — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:42:43 +0000

I think security and privacy are a big concern, especially with the BSA and other such organisations peeping on what you are downloading/uploading. Danni - I,TheWritingWriter

By: Philippe Borremans

Philippe Borremans — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:21:56 +0000

The future is definitely online and access will happen through any possible device with internet connection. Dumb terminals are not new but can get a new meaning in the always connected era.

I am planning to move almost everything I use for work (documents, contracts etc…) online through http://eyeos.org

By: Stephane Rodriguez

Stephane Rodriguez — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:18:58 +0000

On the one hand, you’ll get pro-Microsoft critics who will quickly say that Google Docs and spreadsheets can’t compete with MS Office because of the lack of support for VBA macros.

But when you know that VBA macros are serious security concerns, the lack of support for these is actually the best news for everyone.

Now if Google spreadsheets could add support for charts and pivot tables, that would be it.

As an aside, I can only notice how Google is allowing seamless cross-domain applications integrated in one’s workflow. Really, the best thing is that you don’t have to install anything on your machine, and give 0$ to Microsoft.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:11:00 +0000

Your link to box.net is incorrect – it should link to, well,

By: emon

emon — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:46:45 +0000

Online storage is where it’s headed. It may be unthinkable to many now but imagine carrying only your cell phone and having access to enormous amounts of stored files, videos, and documents from anywhere in the world. If you look at the possiblity internationally, it makes even more sense. You never have to worry about losing your data in a crash or keep piling external hard drives when you run out of space.
Yes, it will take some time for people to feel secure about online storage, but then again online banking has become common and you don’t hide cash under your matress anymore, do you? I’ve read about the non hard drive latptops being made for around $100 (don’t know if they’ve been made available). Online storage makes a lot of sense there. Every member of the family can finally afford his/her own computer. And let’s say an elephant sat on your laptop at the zoo and showed no signs of remorse. Methinks you’d wish you had it all stored online.

By: Dave Notik

Dave Notik — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:04:03 +0000

Google has had this for quite some time now. Still, I don’t think this small function itself warrants the monumental questions you posed. Perhaps painting a good picture (as you see it) of the different pieces that are causing that scenario to play out would better serve to frame a healthy discussion around those related questions.

There’s the online storage providers, web-based office suits, P2P to address decentralized storage and privacy, Microsoft’s Live strategy, the Vista era in the mix, open standards and the evolution of the web as a platform. Paint more of the picture and frame the right discussion.

Keep it up. :)

–D