Hands on: Google Spreadsheets

feminazi writes "Google spreadsheets are more powerful than you might think, according to Richard Ericson. The free, Web-based service doesn't currently offer encryption, but the clean interface has standard drop-down menus, icons and buttons (just when MS is switching to "ribbons"). You can use it to work with existing files and "Formatting is simple, direct and fast. ... Sort, does precisely what you'd expect." Most importantly, it has most of Excel's functions -- including some that aren't listed or documented." We covered the launch of this program last week.

Comments

spreading themselves thin

[Douglas Simmons]

Anybody nervous that Google may be letting their eye off the ball (their original business model) by going off on these tangential projects?

Re:spreading themselves thin

[Gulthek]

Why nervous? Oh no, a successful company is continuing to expand?

Why should anyone be nervous when a company continues to do what it does well?

Re:spreading themselves thin

[gEvil (beta)]

Hmmm. Based on the model number you've given, I'm going to guess that it was a Washer/Dryer combo unit.

Re:spreading themselves thin

[jdray]

Are they the company that makes Western Digital hard drives? That's just one product, right?

Undocumented functions?

[DikSeaCup]

"... it has most of Excel's functions -- including some that aren't listed or documented."

Does that include vulnerabilities that act as infection vehicles for viruses/worms?

Okay, where's the flight sim?

[Chas]

I want my effin' easter eggs!

Better than Apple?

[LFS.Morpheus]

Well, anything is better than the current Apple spreadsheet offering.

Re:Google could take the low end of the Office mar

[Beryllium Sphere(tm)]

>in a couple of ears you have an office suite

And I'm finding it quite painful. Maybe I shouldn't have listened when that guy on the OpenOffice support forum said "Go stick it in your ear!".

Analogy

[peterfa]

Google is just peeing on Microsoft's fire-hydrant.