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Microsoft Outlook Web Access (if recent built on server side) works actually very well on IE7+. It has some resemblance to hotmail.com, or maybe hotmail resembles OWA. Unfortunately it scks deluxe on any other browser :(

When it comes to other things you mentioned, why not use some of the web-based alternatives?

1. PDF Reader -- Google docs/gmail offers a fantastic PDF reader.
2. Visio could very likely be completely replaced by one of the following -- glinkr.net, bubbl.us, gliffy.com.
3. MS Office/OpenOffice probably too can be replaced by either thinkfree.com or docs.google.com

saving as an MS Office document does NOT preserve OOo's document formatting like it should.

There are only certain features that do not translate well. In particular, line breaks and tables I have had issues with, but avoiding the things that don't work well, which isn't much, shouldn't keep you from being able to follow the assignment. Also, for mac, OpenOffice really lags behind the other version the most. If you would like to have your computer back, consider Google Documents for simple stuff, or ThinkFree for fancier documents.

And while it seems really stupid, typically a user agent switcher can get you around the IE only stuff. If they are .NET applications, you need to get mono. If the school isn't going to help, you can do site specific documentation to help others. If you start getting significant hits, they may feel they are loosing control of their site and will try and adapt to the demand. Worse than sheep, they are extra lazy. These are non tech people running a big web site. Motivating them to even fix things for one specific platform is a pain, but I doubt it is as forelorn as you make it out to be. Further, don't worry about influencing the change yourself, just be the really annoying guy amongst many annoying people that will inspire future annoying people to eventually help them change. Just because they don't change to your request doesn't mean you didn't make an impact. Look at how class action lawsuits typically start :)

Tell me how many people would create an MSN account and use it as their portal if they got to use even a limited version of MS word for free in the deal.

There's even someone they could license it from!

Imagine the irony -- MS paying another company for an online version of office, to give to people for free!

BigPondOffice is a rebranded version of thinkfree.com's online office suite

There is Thinkfree 3.0 and it is still being maintained. I heard it is a real success in South Korea with massive bandwidth available.

http://www.thinkfree.com/ , I say massive bandwidth but it is only 1 time 20-30 MB Java cache download.

In fact, Thinkfree 1.0 was also a pure "run in Browser" implementation. After MS CONSPIRACIES to Java which was documented by US courts, they stayed away from -in browser- method and on 3.0 when they made sure everyone can install a modern Java to browser, they came back.

I have Thinkfree 2.x "offline" version which is a pure Java OSX .app , it is one of the things works in OS X Leopard without any kind of updates.

Only way to make these things work as alternative to MS Office is to make sure all modern browsers (except IE as usual) does those AJAX etc. tricks. It took weeks for Thinkfree to make it work in Safari for instance.

Live Documents matches features found in Office 2007, the most recent version. It will be given away to individuals with 100MB of free data storage space per user.

Looks like Thinkfree.com gives away 1gb of free online space. Maybe we'll see the same kind of competition that happened when Gmail opened with 1GB of space, now everyone has multi-GB (or unlimited) free storage available.

Hurray for competition!

...when it was called ThinkFree Office.

For whatever you want to fault it, doesn't OOXML have at least a couple of rough non-MS implementations (Novell, Corel, Thinkfree)?

Like this: http://product.thinkfree.com/ ??

...when it was called ThinkFree Online. Oh wait, we have to hate ThinkFree because it's written in Java. Even though it works well, lets you use your own fonts and printer, opens and saves real MS Office docs, and installs into the JVM cache faster than an MS Office or OpenOffice install.

Oh well, trying to write an Office suite in Ajax has kept people busy for a few years, now they can try to get the native OO.o app working in a browser. Maybe next we can port it to Flash. That'll be fun.

Why do I have to browse the web on something that wants to be an applications platform, an office suite, a local filesystem browser, and a dessert topping?

Google Docs??!! This is not even close to MS office. The only free online office suite worth using (if you want something that reproduces MS office) is Thinkfree http://www.thinkfree.com/. It faithfully reproduces PowerPoint, Word, and Excel with full compatibility. The ONLY thing keeping something like this from replacing office for most people is that, obviously, you've got to be online to run the office suite. Now, what happens to an "online" office suite like this when you can use it offline, as well? More precisely, what's the point of spending hundreds of dollars on MS Office anymore? For me, at least, I'd never buy MS Office again.

--Dave

I would posit the latter. Look at some of the ODBC problems in M$ products for Apple. The problems have been around for ages and M$ has no plans to fix them, and hasn't fixed them despite new releases. The solution promoted is to ditch Apple. That company doesn't appear to treat Windows users any better, so my solution, however, was to ditch M$ and that has worked quite well.

Yes, the M$ Office for Apple has been profitable, but another reason for M$ to keep it around would be to maintain the lock on the office file formats. So to drop it now is probably just trying to force the few into Windows and thus the InfoPath / MS OOXML lock-in. IMHO, it's a premature move and will cost them.

There are a quite a few options, that are in most ways better, though different. The weakest points, which could go away in short order, are the file formats. The M$ formats are still undocumented and only some on the list below fully support OpenDocument, though that number is rapidly growing.

• Neooffice
• Mariner Write, Mariner Calc
• Abiword
• NisusWriter
• ThinkFree
• Mellel
• OpenOffice.org (still needs X11, I'm fine with that myself since I use X11 anyway, but others may not be)
• iWork (includes Keynote)

That's just focusing on word processors. There is a similar range of choice for spreadsheets and presentation graphics. Now see how important control of those file formats is.

Or they could just go ahead, as rumored, and buy ThinkFree, whose Java-based online office suite has long supported PPT.

One interesting thing I read about their choice (ThinkFree) is that they offer software you can install on your own server to store your documents safely and securely. If you're a company, you could run your own ThinkFree server, presumably with as much security and encryption you want. Or heck, since it only costs $30 per year, I suppose you could run your own ThinkFree server with any security and encryption you want, access your documents anywhere, and still come out way ahead financially if you're willing to give up some of the high-end features of native suites.

Download it using the links below:

http://www.openoffice.org/
http://www.thinkfree.com/

First, I must say that get perpendicular animation by Hitachi is awesome. http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_h ead/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html

To explain this topic a little better I am posting a recent paper I wrote. Its posted in PDF, under the creative commons liscense @ thinkfree.com

File http://www.thinkfree.com/filelink.tfo?filemasterno =551951&filekey=00odg0wy0z
Published http://www.thinkfree.com/common/view.tfo?method=vi ewPublish&uid=89152&fno=551951

Below is an except.
Using Quantum Vortex Cores To Defeat
The Superparamagnetic Effect In Magnetic Storage

One could argue that few new types of data storage devices have been invented. Traditional data storage exists in rings rotating around a disc. First in the analogue realm with the advent of the record player. Then came the digital realm which gave symbolic meaning to magnetic polarities on hard disk drives. As humans pursue the path of miniaturization, we find that the stability of our newtonian devices are being affected by what is predicted with Quantum Theory. Designs exploiting the properties in the quantum realm must be accomplished. Recent development shows, that it is within our capability to measure and systematically alter the spin direction of a single atom, when contained in a Lanau structure. The Quantum Vortex Core refers to the magnetic field created perpendicular to the direction of spin. Quantum Vortex Cores retain their polarities, allowing us to advance in data storage.

A brief understanding of Hard Disc Drive (HDD) technology and its limitations need to be known before Quantum Vortex Core can be understood in its application. For the last 50 years the HDD has used a method called longitudinal magnetic recording. Circular tracks make rings around the radius of a platter containing magnetic bits oriented north or south to the direction the platter spins. A device called an actuator has an inductive coil on its tip/head which converts electrical pulses into momentary magnetic fields. A certain layer of materials on the platter retain their magnetic orientation set by the write head. As the platter spins, the write head is positioned over the next bit. This process is reversible, and the data can be read by monitoring the electrical pulses coming from the similarly designed read head when passing over changing magnetic fields.

HDD are designed to shield from external magnetic fields, since common external magnetic fields exceed the 'crystalline anisotropy energy' needed to purposefully retain the orientation of the bits. Heat also plagues the stability of the data retained when energy from ambient temperature reaches the 'crystalline anisotropy energy' level (Nguyen). Until recently, this energy level has been ignored since the magnetic bits were significantly large enough to need exceedingly high temperatures to affect their base state, from which they will not move. As we approach miniaturization the energy to reach the crystalline anisotropy energy level becomes less. The field energy stored in each bit around the platter, begin to re-orient their neighbor bits; when this happens it is said to have reached its superparamegnetic limit (Public Domain).

Since the opposites attract / likeness repel effect plague miniaturized HDD when the bits are laid end to end. It only seems reasonable to reorient in such a way which they do not interfere. If the bits were positioned perpendicular (standing up on the disc) rather than laying flat, one also increases the data density as well as limiting the superparamegnetic effect (Hitachi). Perpendicular storage seems reasonable, but proves difficult, and

First, I must say that get perpendicular animation by Hitachi is awesome. http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_h ead/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html

To explain this topic a little better I am posting a recent paper I wrote. Its posted in PDF, under the creative commons liscense @ thinkfree.com

File http://www.thinkfree.com/filelink.tfo?filemasterno =551951&filekey=00odg0wy0z
Published http://www.thinkfree.com/common/view.tfo?method=vi ewPublish&uid=89152&fno=551951

Below is an except.
Using Quantum Vortex Cores To Defeat
The Superparamagnetic Effect In Magnetic Storage

One could argue that few new types of data storage devices have been invented. Traditional data storage exists in rings rotating around a disc. First in the analogue realm with the advent of the record player. Then came the digital realm which gave symbolic meaning to magnetic polarities on hard disk drives. As humans pursue the path of miniaturization, we find that the stability of our newtonian devices are being affected by what is predicted with Quantum Theory. Designs exploiting the properties in the quantum realm must be accomplished. Recent development shows, that it is within our capability to measure and systematically alter the spin direction of a single atom, when contained in a Lanau structure. The Quantum Vortex Core refers to the magnetic field created perpendicular to the direction of spin. Quantum Vortex Cores retain their polarities, allowing us to advance in data storage.

A brief understanding of Hard Disc Drive (HDD) technology and its limitations need to be known before Quantum Vortex Core can be understood in its application. For the last 50 years the HDD has used a method called longitudinal magnetic recording. Circular tracks make rings around the radius of a platter containing magnetic bits oriented north or south to the direction the platter spins. A device called an actuator has an inductive coil on its tip/head which converts electrical pulses into momentary magnetic fields. A certain layer of materials on the platter retain their magnetic orientation set by the write head. As the platter spins, the write head is positioned over the next bit. This process is reversible, and the data can be read by monitoring the electrical pulses coming from the similarly designed read head when passing over changing magnetic fields.

HDD are designed to shield from external magnetic fields, since common external magnetic fields exceed the 'crystalline anisotropy energy' needed to purposefully retain the orientation of the bits. Heat also plagues the stability of the data retained when energy from ambient temperature reaches the 'crystalline anisotropy energy' level (Nguyen). Until recently, this energy level has been ignored since the magnetic bits were significantly large enough to need exceedingly high temperatures to affect their base state, from which they will not move. As we approach miniaturization the energy to reach the crystalline anisotropy energy level becomes less. The field energy stored in each bit around the platter, begin to re-orient their neighbor bits; when this happens it is said to have reached its superparamegnetic limit (Public Domain).

Since the opposites attract / likeness repel effect plague miniaturized HDD when the bits are laid end to end. It only seems reasonable to reorient in such a way which they do not interfere. If the bits were positioned perpendicular (standing up on the disc) rather than laying flat, one also increases the data density as well as limiting the superparamegnetic effect (Hitachi). Perpendicular storage seems reasonable, but proves difficult, and

I'd also add Thinkfree Office which runs on every platform having a modern java, a full feature desktop office which even runs in browser if you want.

http://www.thinkfree.com/

For popularity, I would also add Limewire which is top 10 on every download site.

I'd ask again myself too: Give me a single application which runs on OS X. If I was a developer I would really stay away from MS-Os only languages. As a person in Media, I stay away from MS Only codecs too. I go with whatever MPEG has, including H264/3ivx/AAC ,ignoring DivX or any avi based format. Lets say, if MS offers Windows Media server free (they do,generally), I ignore it and buy/get Helix (RealNetworks), Quicktime since they are not bound to MS-OS,

ThinkFree does more, works on more browsers, is better integrated with the user's operating system (OMG, I actually get to use all my own fonts?), works with two-byte characters (OMG, I can type in Japanese and the saved .doc won't consist of little boxes?), and offers a stronger user experience (OMG, I still get cut/copy/paste, and undo/redo? And print?). Of course, /.'ers are expected to hate ThinkFree because it's written in Java.

Have fun reinventing the wheel as a stone cube, kids. Knock yourselves out.

What? Am I remembering wrong, or has Writely been around long before it was a part of Google? I just read the headlines and thought, wait a minute, that makes no sense - how do Writely and Google go together? It was in a PC magazine a few months ago as a featured link, so I don't think this is cutting-edge new, although Google's affiliation may be.

Also worthy of note, this is also not the only thing of its type: Thinkfree Office is also around.

But good to see that services like these are getting more attention. Still, I wouldn't save any documents of even moderate importance online, even if it evolves out of beta.

The url is http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo . Somehow a / crept in at the end.

There are lot of java based online office suites. http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo/ is quite a capable one in terms of functionality. But they can be dead slow and that is something Ajax based suites have solved. Being a [past and part]java developer, I know I'm handicapped by the jvms and quite massive downloads I have to inflict on the user to get a java based office system lift off. And he will have to repeat the entire process if she cleans up the cache :) Ajax is very lightweight and hence more promising - except, you are more trapped in the quirkiness of different browsers.

ThinkFree Online & ThinkFree Office

http://www.thinkfree.com/

It's a full suite and they do Ajax, Java applets, and desktop applications. 100% Linux, Mac & Windows compatible.
ThinkFree Online is free as in beer.

Is anyone else really FSCK'n annoyed by these web site or web service review postings to Slashdot that don't bother to post the damn URL to the fucking web site?
Would it have been so difficult to add
http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo
or even just http://www.thinkfree.com/ to the post?
Are we not allowed to look at the web site until after we read whole damn review? (Extreme Tech does not mention the URL for what they are reviewing until the very end of the review. Plenty of other URLs are in the rest of the review...)

Is anyone else really FSCK'n annoyed by these web site or web service review postings to Slashdot that don't bother to post the damn URL to the fucking web site?
Would it have been so difficult to add
http://www.thinkfree.com/common/main.tfo
or even just http://www.thinkfree.com/ to the post?
Are we not allowed to look at the web site until after we read whole damn review? (Extreme Tech does not mention the URL for what they are reviewing until the very end of the review. Plenty of other URLs are in the rest of the review...)

OMG, before signing up, I usually take a quick scan at the privacy policy, and I'm usually disgusted by the legal terminology that's used to try and explain to someone how their privacy is being protected. This was by far the most readable, straight foreward, 1 page privacy policy, that I think every company/website should take after.

click here to read it

Lets try that link again http://product.thinkfree.com/products/pd_server.ht ml

The downloadable version is still there:

http://product.thinkfree.com/common.tfo

Hosted, or with the option of implementing my own server. Hmmm...A Web 2.0 company doing it right.

Hosted, or with the option of implementing my own server. Hmmm...A Web 2.0 company doing it right.

is the wording on a banner currently appearing on the thinkfree web site. Am I the only one feeling nervous about having my documents residing on an application service provider where their accessibility is beyond my control?

--
Code Quality: The Open Source Perspective (Addison-Wesley 2006)

Think Free appears to be down for now, but at 7:00am PDT, you'll (apparantly) be able to have a look

In truth, though, there are better lightweight solutions, like Zoho writer: http://www.zohowriter.com/ and ThinkFree Office: http://www.thinkfree.com/

ThinkFree Office is Java-based, but it runs a heck of a lot better than either OpenOffice.org or NeoOffice/J and it's only $50. They've done a killer job adapting a Java app to look and feel native on OS X, and you don't notice the slowdown.

Mariner sells a good word-processor and spreadsheet combo as well... I don't remember the price, but I want to say $120 for word-processor and spreadsheet packaged together.

http://www.thinkfree.com/
http://www.marinersoftware.com/

I ended up buying ThinkFree because 1) I'm cheap, and 2) it's good enough. From the trials of both I'd say that Mariner is better.

Check out http://online.thinkfree.com/ Unlike the original article - this web-based Office suite will work on other browsers. Who needs Ajax when you've got Java :o)

Just last week a co-worker showed me Thinkfree Office Online which I thought was pretty impressive. Word-processor, spreadsheet, PowerPoint clone, all with 30MB of free disk space.

Warning: it's slow to get started the first time, because of massive Java-Fu.

Strange that we on Slashdot go gaga for anything AJAX while deriding Java as a slow, bloated pig. Seriously, AJAX is great for making web pages more responsive but is ill-suited as an applet replacement. Give me ThinkFree anytime.

Flame shields up...

http://online.thinkfree.com/

* No, AJAX is *NOT* good enough. It's fine for email. It's not good enough for anything else.

AJAX/DHTML is good enough. It's the programmers that aren't. Most of these "Web Office" products are really nothing more than beautified HTML Editor components disguised as something we haven't seen before. The types of features that make a Word Processor a real Word Processor are missing because no one else has done the work for them. Not to mention the lack of spreadsheets, presentation software, and database interfaces.

I don't know when it's going to percolate through the industry that you have to actually do a lot of work to be a leader and make money. If you just slap stuff together off the shelf, your competitors will be able to follow. Then while you're all arguing, a REAL company will pay talented professionals to develop software that actually meets the needs of customers.

Anyone else remember WordPerfect for Java?

Yeah, I remember. I also remember that it was badly planned from the get-go. If Corel had been really trying, they wouldn't have released a suite as a set of Applets. ThinkFree came along a few years later and showed that it was quite doable to replicate MS Office in Java.

"Somewhere out there, there's probably a bunch of kids busy re-engineering Open Office and an Ajax basis"

http://online.thinkfree.com/learnmore/index.jsp

If you follow the link you'll see that the kids have already done it, and it in the form of a J2EE web-service and is being offered for free (for a basic home user account, last I checked anyway).

Okay, let's see...

There's AbiWord. I wasn't real impressed, but you could try that out. Also check out Mariner Write, Z-Write, and, of course, NisusWriter. You might also check out ThinkFree Office.

Try checking out the Macintosh Products Guide for more information.

Its interesting it gets no mention in this new "google,ms" war.

There is a pure java office suite written in java 2 which is kind of free to try.

http://www.thinkfree.com/

It is java, multiplatform, unicode, exports PDF too.

There is no google web office. However there is and has been for many years think free office. Contrary to your prediction it has not been adopted rapidly or widely despite being available over the web and despite being a decent product.

Anyone heard of Think Free Office?

It's not totally free in the way the gOffice dreamers would like it to be, but I must say I was pretty impressed with the interface (basically an Office 2000 clone but in your browser).

BTW, it's 100% Java so it works in Linux, Mac or whatever.

Link here: http://www.thinkfree.com/

When it's already done ?

Try Thinkfree.com then.

http://online.thinkfree.com.nyud.net:8090/ (Coralized)

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:9hxx796XGNMJ: online.thinkfree.com/+&hl=en (Google's cache)

http://online.thinkfree.com/ (Spare them please!)

It's here, it's called ThinkFree Office Online.