Monday, March 31st, 2008
Google Docs now runs offline with Gears
Being able to have your documents stored up in the cloud, but also saved away for the time where you don’t have connectivity is important, and today the Google Docs team supports local service via Google Gears.
I have been using this ability for awhile, and I have personally seen a couple of side effects:
- I boot up the computer at times in which I wouldn’t before hand as I know I can get access to this content (as well as Google Reader of course)
- The experience is a lot faster even in a connected or slightly connected environment as it keeps working even if service is bumpy, say, on a Google Shuttle to work!
Having things continue to just work as you go in and out of service is a great feeling. You trust the system more.
If you are still new to Gears, Ben Lisbakken has published a tutorial that he has as a screencast. Take a peak and get up to speed.
4.8 rating from 19 votes
Congrats to the Gears team!
It’s about time. One more thing that makes this a great competitor to Microsoft Office.
It’s also a great way to spread the Gears install base, because at the moment it’s really small compared to, say, AIR.
DIon, I asked the question on your own blog as well, when you guys releasing LBS port of Gears for Location based web apps?
Ah, just kidding, right after my previous comment I found something that made Google Docs look bad. It’s called Buzzword.
I have been waiting for this. I’ll have to take a much closer look at google docs now.