It's not so easy to have network storage of a file from within an application outside of your local network without using external tools. My point though, is that allowing a service, like Google, to provide that network storage and tools to synchronize it, would be more convenient than maintaining your own file server (and more economical then keeping an extra computer on 24/7 just to serve files), and more useful than a full online application (not to say that the two can't co-exist).
If you save your files in a standard format, just about every computer has some file to access it (albeit to varying degrees of functionality).
The problem with online applications is that if your dependent on them, then your out of luck if something happens to your network connection. Even with Google Calendar, when I'm on the wireless network on campus sometimes parts of it become unusable because of a weak connection. Remote file storage allows you to just retrieve the data once, regardless of the quality of your connection, and allows you to cache your file/changes locally if your connection drops.
Online applications cannot provide this functionality. The various google apps autosave a lot to minimize loss of data, but if your connection drops, you can't really continue working with the data you already have downloaded.
Online apps are being developed with a lot of advantages over locally running applications, however only one of them can't be duplicated in a conventional application--network file storage of your files.
The only advantage to online applications is being able to access your files from wherever you are, from any computer that you choose. This is not however a feature that everybody needs, or that we need for every file. If you do use multiple computers however, it can quickly become frustrating maintaining synchronized copies of your files between systems, or keeping track of which computer has the latest version saved on it.
Instead of making an entire application online, they should simply provide the online file storage capability with a plug-in to easily integrate (synchronize) its usage into the productivity application of your choosing. Be that service premium or advertisement based (hmm, seeing an ad to open your own essay . . . ) it would make much more sense than an entire online office suite.
As with anything else, the minimalist approach is needed to maintain security with any network file system. Only place those files on the network (file server, online office app, w/e) that you will actually need to access from multiple places, and where possible limit access not just by password, but to known computers as well. Using an online app indiscriminately (or exclusively) for saving and editing all of your files is just asking for trouble.
Online applications do have their uses, but do you really want to be dependent on a network connection to finish writing that paper? For example, if your away from home or on campus and don't have an active connection for your laptop. On the other hand, being able to press open/save and having the file (if you choose) automatically synchronized with a network server iff your online could be invaluable.
Same here, at least as far as Console gaming goes. I really haven't gotten excited about any games, PC or Console systems since the N64 (except maybe GTA3s). Somehow, I never saw any value in getting any of the current generation systems . . . although I keep telling myself I'll get an Xbox1 one of these days for the sake of running Linux on it.
The Wii though seems to be the first system/game-set in a while that actually has the potential for real innovation. Sure high-end graphics look nice, but gameplay hasn't really evolved much since N64/PS and the original analog sticks. Everything since has (with some exceptions) just been upping the graphics power and increasing the size. The Wii will give us all the old classics, AND hopefully inspire some real gameplay innovations taking advantage of the motion sensor controls.
Nintendo in my mind has always been successful because they put creativity and/or innovation (NES LightGun, SNES Scope, VirtualBoy, 64DD/w online (I remember being excited about this before they cancelled it), DS/w Stylus + dual screen, . . . not always successful, but at least they try) ahead of brute power, and the Wii might just be their key back to the top.
Forget the paper and pencil, they just need to start training Mentats to do the work for them, and all they need for power is a steady stream of Sapho juice.
"Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind" - Orange Catholic Bible
I've never had a cord break on a mouse, but I've had it break on 2-3 keyboards. The problem isn't so much moving the keyboard/mouse around as it is having the cords get tangled up so that they get pulled on when you pull the tray out. On my mother's setup (poor cable management) the keyboard's cable has been hanging on by a thread for a long time now . . .
I've got a wireless combo (keyboard & mouse) on my main desktop though, and will never go back to wired for my primary system. Personally, I like being able to pull out my keyboard and use it on my lap, or move the mouse around wherever is convenient - when reading slashdot for example, I normally just palm one of them (both keyboard and mouse have a wheel) to use the scroll wheel while reading, without moving a muscle.
On the other hand, my setup is not exactly typical. I've got one monitor, but two desktops connected to it -- if at least one of them wasn't wireless, having both sets on one pullout drawer would never work:-)
Unless they add a little wrist-band strap for the . . . accident-inclined.
I can seriously see the problems with this. I remember even in the days of the N64 and SNES I had a friend that tended to throw his controller . . . encouraging that action won't be good for people (kids) like that.
Slashdot Mirror
It's not so easy to have network storage of a file from within an application outside of your local network without using external tools. My point though, is that allowing a service, like Google, to provide that network storage and tools to synchronize it, would be more convenient than maintaining your own file server (and more economical then keeping an extra computer on 24/7 just to serve files), and more useful than a full online application (not to say that the two can't co-exist).
If you save your files in a standard format, just about every computer has some file to access it (albeit to varying degrees of functionality).
The problem with online applications is that if your dependent on them, then your out of luck if something happens to your network connection. Even with Google Calendar, when I'm on the wireless network on campus sometimes parts of it become unusable because of a weak connection. Remote file storage allows you to just retrieve the data once, regardless of the quality of your connection, and allows you to cache your file/changes locally if your connection drops.
Online applications cannot provide this functionality. The various google apps autosave a lot to minimize loss of data, but if your connection drops, you can't really continue working with the data you already have downloaded.
Online apps are being developed with a lot of advantages over locally running applications, however only one of them can't be duplicated in a conventional application--network file storage of your files.
The only advantage to online applications is being able to access your files from wherever you are, from any computer that you choose. This is not however a feature that everybody needs, or that we need for every file. If you do use multiple computers however, it can quickly become frustrating maintaining synchronized copies of your files between systems, or keeping track of which computer has the latest version saved on it.
Instead of making an entire application online, they should simply provide the online file storage capability with a plug-in to easily integrate (synchronize) its usage into the productivity application of your choosing. Be that service premium or advertisement based (hmm, seeing an ad to open your own essay . . . ) it would make much more sense than an entire online office suite.
As with anything else, the minimalist approach is needed to maintain security with any network file system. Only place those files on the network (file server, online office app, w/e) that you will actually need to access from multiple places, and where possible limit access not just by password, but to known computers as well. Using an online app indiscriminately (or exclusively) for saving and editing all of your files is just asking for trouble.
Online applications do have their uses, but do you really want to be dependent on a network connection to finish writing that paper? For example, if your away from home or on campus and don't have an active connection for your laptop. On the other hand, being able to press open/save and having the file (if you choose) automatically synchronized with a network server iff your online could be invaluable.
Same here, at least as far as Console gaming goes. I really haven't gotten excited about any games, PC or Console systems since the N64 (except maybe GTA3s). Somehow, I never saw any value in getting any of the current generation systems . . . although I keep telling myself I'll get an Xbox1 one of these days for the sake of running Linux on it.
/w online (I remember being excited about this before they cancelled it), DS /w Stylus + dual screen, . . . not always successful, but at least they try) ahead of brute power, and the Wii might just be their key back to the top.
The Wii though seems to be the first system/game-set in a while that actually has the potential for real innovation. Sure high-end graphics look nice, but gameplay hasn't really evolved much since N64/PS and the original analog sticks. Everything since has (with some exceptions) just been upping the graphics power and increasing the size. The Wii will give us all the old classics, AND hopefully inspire some real gameplay innovations taking advantage of the motion sensor controls.
Nintendo in my mind has always been successful because they put creativity and/or innovation (NES LightGun, SNES Scope, VirtualBoy, 64DD
Forget the paper and pencil, they just need to start training Mentats to do the work for them, and all they need for power is a steady stream of Sapho juice.
"Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind" - Orange Catholic Bible
I've never had a cord break on a mouse, but I've had it break on 2-3 keyboards. The problem isn't so much moving the keyboard/mouse around as it is having the cords get tangled up so that they get pulled on when you pull the tray out. On my mother's setup (poor cable management) the keyboard's cable has been hanging on by a thread for a long time now . . . I've got a wireless combo (keyboard & mouse) on my main desktop though, and will never go back to wired for my primary system. Personally, I like being able to pull out my keyboard and use it on my lap, or move the mouse around wherever is convenient - when reading slashdot for example, I normally just palm one of them (both keyboard and mouse have a wheel) to use the scroll wheel while reading, without moving a muscle. On the other hand, my setup is not exactly typical. I've got one monitor, but two desktops connected to it -- if at least one of them wasn't wireless, having both sets on one pullout drawer would never work :-)
Unless they add a little wrist-band strap for the . . . accident-inclined.
I can seriously see the problems with this. I remember even in the days of the N64 and SNES I had a friend that tended to throw his controller . . . encouraging that action won't be good for people (kids) like that.