David Sudjiman

Watching what’s Google doing is always exciting. From the job ads with mathematic puzzle, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Base, Blogspot, Google Calendar, and now Google is up to compete with Microsoft office, but this one will be available on-line from the net, on your browser.

Writely, an on line word processor, supported by a company named Upstartle is acquired by Google.

Remember that the world is separated between those people who believes that a software should always be provided with the source code and those who don’t. Now, if the so-called Google Office (GO) is up and ready, it means that people will start using this without even bother about the licensing method. Even better, user will not even ‘own’ the software yet using it freely from the Internet. Hmmm, wait a second, isn’t that the same schema like M$ that provides a software but not allowing you to even look what inside it? Well, now Google even doing it without giving the user the actual software to be installed on the computer. Just open up your browser and you’re on. What about the freedom to distribute? What about the freedom to modify? Nah, this seems another domain just created. I love Internet!

M$? Later, if and only if (cross your finger!) GO is doing as good as Gmail, M$ will lose its market share. But, I’ve seen the case of IE vs. Firefox. IE still wins! Buckle up, Bill! and I think Larry and Sergey need more than geniuses to take over the field. Yes, Google is predicted as the next M$, but, ummm, not yet.

Next, the office application market share will change as new competitor coming and this new baby (big babby, I mean) is Google. M$ Office will possible reduce its price. (If and only if!)

Anyway, I’m still using vim to write this article and using OO for writing documents. So, I’m not really worried about this, just enjoying the show.

Thank you for MCP <cpatriaw (at) gmail (dot) com> for sharing the links and Adjie <asetiaji (at) gmail (dot) com> for licensing concern.