To build upon my previous post about why Google Docs & Spreadsheets doesn't work, here is a short list of features I would like to see implemented.
Custom Font Selection: I just gotta be able to change the look and feel of my documents or I won't use it. Fix it, okay!?
Desktop Docs & Spreadsheets Sync: There must be a way to have these files automatically backed up to my local hard disk. I would prefer a mirroring solution, though. I'd like to be able to edit the same files locally or online via GD&S. Just add functionality to Google Desktop Search that will manage the synchronization process. Even better, why not add the functionality as a Backup Solution for desktop users, where those files just happen to be "backed up" (mirrored) to the same location that GD&S uses.
Added Bonus: A Windows shell extension to allow dropping all of my files into a single GD&S folder. The files would be kept locally (in that folder), but those files would also be mirrored with GD&S online. I'm thinking something similar to how Gmail Drive works (Linux version, Mac OSX version).
Super-duper Added Bonus: Even more cool than that would be to have the (same) shell extension render the file view to look like GD&S online. That would be way cool and super usable!
Note to Google: I volunteer to beta test these for you!
After playing with it in the past and over the last couple of days I have become very familiar with its features and capabilities. However, I've become even more aware of what it doesn't do.
First off, I can't change the fonts and styles (like Heading 1, Heading 2, etc) to the way I like them. And, I can't select my own font from my system, period. I only have a list of 6-7 fonts to choose from. (I use "Calibri, Tahoma, Arial" as my default font for just about everything..)
Second, There is no way to upload nor work on files other than basic RTF/HTM documents and spreadsheets. For instance, if I'm going to use this system exclusively, how do I create posters, flyers, business cards, forms, etc, as I would with Microsoft Publisher? How about OneNote?
Only supporting basic documents and spreadsheets goes further to cause more problems. I generally keep all kinds of files mixed in with my documents. I keep (other people's) PDF files, images, links to websites in .url files, raw .html files, XML, source code files, and many more. Where would I put these files if I started using Google's web-based services?
I love (and live by) the "drop everything into one bin and use search to find it" mentality, but what use it is if I can't drop everything into it? Google Desktop Search allows me to do just that right now, without having to be connected to the Internet.
Which brings me to the biggest reason why I won't use it. There isn't any way (that I can see) to backup my files to my desktop for when I'm disconnected. Is there? What about when I'm traveling? How about when I purposely disconnect from the Web so I can get some writing done or when I go to the park to work while the kids are playing? (And, no, getting Internet access via Cingular isn't an option for me!)
Older Posts
