Microsoft is not Google

August 29th, 2006 | tools

The pundits are at it again, reporting from ringside on a fantasy fight between Google and Microsoft Office as if they’re in a boxing match. In fact the fighters are not even in the same ring. In today’s Unworkshop we discussed each company’s offerings.

Microsoft Office is comprised of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access. Installs on a PC. Retails for about $350. Periodic updates are additional.
Google has Writely, Spreadsheets, Gmail, Google Calendar, Picassa, and Blogger. Most are format-compatible with the entrenched Microsoft offerings. On the web. Google apps are free.

Since MS Office is on your computer, you need your machine in order to use it. Two machines? Buy two licenses. Since Google is on the net, you must be on the net to use it. Log in from anywhere but you’re dead in the water without a net connection.

One article today said that the Google apps are “for soccer moms,” alluding to the fact that MS Office apps are dripping with poweruser features. In fact, most users never take advantage of these turbo-charged features. You have to be trained to figure them out. Google’s stuff follows the 80/20 rule, providing enough of what you need most of the time. Google software is so simple you don’t need a manual.

A Microsoft exec described Google’s offerings as “Frankenstein software,” alluding to the fact that it doesn’t come in one box. Google CEO Eric Schmidt said he preferred to distribute stuff that works and only later roll out a marketing plan. This is calculated to keep Microsoft totally off balance. (Steve Balmer was once a brand manager for Proctor & Gamble).

But the killer advantage in Google’s web-based products is collaboration. This is becoming a world of working together. With Google’s Writely, I can collaborate with others while writing a document. Google Spreadsheets let us work on what-if scenarios together.