This is how a felt the last two weeks learning how to use Google Apps. Every time I work with Name Servers or DNS settingsI feel like sticking my head into the monitor. Sure most end users are polite and curious as they realize that changing their hosting company can take some time and getting used to new software might take some time. The main reason I have been moving companies over to Google apps is because a lot more people are getting data phones and want to be able to read their email on the Android. Mobile Email reminds me of when the cell towers came to this area in 1998. It is great for communication, but a lot of the early adopters just say "Can you hear me now?"
What does this mean for you and your customers? I've been using Google docs and such for years. Do you mean you are asking them to do all their office work in Google docs? Not Open Office?
ReplyDeleteFor Mobile people Google docs does a better job formating the info to fit their data phone. Also, if multiple people need to edit a document then I tell them to use Google docs. Open Office is nice, but it doesn't bring the "cloud" experience along.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Many teachers use Google docs to work collaboratively on lessons, tests, or other educational work. Still, I have not pushed all teachers to put all their work in the clouds. I was wondering if you are now recommending just that. Put it all out there. If you are ... what if Google goes "belly-up"? It could happen.
ReplyDeleteFor end user ease I would recommend the cloud. Too many people don't back up their computer anyways and Google does a great job of it. Also, Google does not lock you into their application so the data can easily be download onto your computer and/or upload to boxnet or other on-line services.
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