Google is my Microsoft

First we had Google Calendar SMS alerts and now we have Google Calendar sync with phone. Admittedly I did have to play around with the settings to get it working satisfactorily on my Nokia 6630 but once I changed the Time Zone option to an upload adjustment of -01:00 everything went smoothly.

This is really terrific. My phone calendar had been my time manager of choice simply because it's always with me. But of course it's much easier to enter data with a PC keyboard, which meant I'd been keeping two separate calendars since Google launched their excellent service. SMS alerts helped but full synchronization is the cherry on the cake.

You know what I realized today? Google is my Microsoft. The only Microsoft client/online apps I use, that I'm aware of, are Windows XP and Hotmail. But Hotmail is just a legacy app that I'm quickly weaning myself off. Now I mostly live within Google Gmail, Calendar, Reader, Talk, Search, Maps, Earth, YouTube/Video, Spreadsheet and Docs. I also use Picasa and SketchUp.

Of course I use some non-Google apps like Flikr, PXN8, Grazr, Thunderbird, Firefox, iTunes, FeedDemon, QuickBooks and OPML Editor. But I don't have any Microsoft Office apps on my PC, only use Windows Explorer when I'm forced to (eg. for banking) and rarely use Live Search or Local. I used to work with Apple Macs and Sun Solaris systems so I could easily see myself go totally Microsoft free in future.

Now I'd never have believed that if you'd suggested it 10 years ago.

Comments

[Damien]

you have forgotten about GSpace, that handy little firefox extension that morphs your gmail account into an online shoebox

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1593/

[James Corbett]

Well, that's actually another area where I avoid the new Borg - I use Box.net instead. But yes, it points to another area where Google will probably encroach with their GDrive, or whatever they'll call it, which will likely offer more free space than the competition (and other features).

[Robin]

James - This is the exact set of tools I use in my personal life. Althogh I'm waiting on a google Dev environment (Writely with coding features and an FTP option for transerfering files off-server).

The thing G will never crack (yet) is the corporate market which I've realised they have completely pinned. I now have to use a full MS suite of tools for everything work-related.

[James Corbett]

I know what you mean Robin but the thing is we *are* part of the corporate market. Granted we're only an SME but if were to continue growing in size I can't see any reason for changing. Some might think we're mad that privacy isn't more of a concern but it just isn't.

So it's a matter of friction that will keep the market from changing quickly but there's a new generation of company that will gravitate to the alternatives.

[MJ]

Hard to see where it's going. Microsoft is trying to reconsolidate the online comms market by getting in bed with multiple telecoms partners (like Nortel) tying digital voice to email and online presence. They're trying to be relevant again.

On the other side we have Gizmo federating with GoogleTalk and Google getting in bed with Apple. Skype getting in bed with everyone. It's going to be an interesting thing to watch in the near future as the compelling apps from Microsoft from the last couple of years have been Exchange and SharePoint. With sharePoint being sieged by a dozen business portal competitors and Exchange going to be the core for voice, Microsoft will have a compelling voice platform.

Will you buy it? I sure as heck won't, not with the plethora of more "open" alternatives.

MJ

[Bernie Goldbach]

Like you, I'm using my network as my computer which is why it's so depressing when I cannot connect at broadband speeds.

You're actually well beyond where you thought you'd be a decade ago because so much of what you can do happens on account of the computer power that sits in your hand. And if I'm reading right, you're using phones that aren't sold as business-specific devices.

[Paul Duggan]

The web is great but its not everything. Not by a long chalk. Ask anybody who does *real* work on a computer. Like designing a building, or a machine.
Someone else is thinking along the same lines.
http://www.secretgeek.net/no_os.asp

Great blog! Keep it up.