Ajaxwrite To Compete Against Ms Word

#1 yano

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Posted 23 March 2006 - 08:18 PM

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The look, feel, and functionality of Microsoft Word, in a completely web-based AJAX platform. Try ajaxWrite today, and experience first-hand how AJAX applications are changing the way the web works, and redefining the software industry.

http://www.linspire.com/ajaxwrite.php

Looks like Bill Gates has something to worry about. :thumbsup:

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ajaxWrite is a streamlined word processor, comparable to Microsoft Word. To keep the program lean, we left out some obscure advanced features. (We're still working on the spell checker.) You can import and export documents in all popular formats, including documents with graphics. The save function lets you save your work to a drive on your computer. Also, since you run ajaxWrite from your web browser, it is platform independent and can therefore be used with any operating system.

My Blog : Opera Web Browser : OpenOffice.org

#2 jgweed

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Posted 24 March 2006 - 02:13 AM

The issues I see with this on-line word processor are:
1. It doesn't have a spellchecking function. Some people (ahem!) absolutely need that.
2. Other users might actually want or need (perhaps after the fact) "obscure advanced features."
The issue I see with any kind of on-line word processor like this is that:
3. Since the application does not reside on your computer (or on a backup disk), what happens if the company disappears or is purchased by another firm? Unless you have saved the document "as" a Word document, for example, you have a lot of useless files dependent on a defunct application.
But then, if you save the document in some (more or less standard) file type, why not simply use that type's word processor and eliminate the middle man?

If there is a real challenge to MS Office (barring some sudden entry into the field by Google), it would be something like OpenOffice.Org, which has a fully featured office suite that is almost completely compatible with MS Office, and which you can download (and backup) for free.

Regards,
John

Postscript:
Today (24 March) I noticed an article in Slashdot that indicates the AjaxWrite organisation is going to attempt to roll out a new application each Wednesday. I just hope they will issue fully robust modules and not something rushed to publish and "almost as good as....."
See the story here:
http://slashdot.org/articles/06/03/23/1923248.shtml

This post has been edited by jgweed: 24 March 2006 - 12:41 PM

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#3 yano

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Posted 24 March 2006 - 06:40 PM

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3. Since the application does not reside on your computer (or on a backup disk), what happens if the company disappears or is purchased by another firm? Unless you have saved the document "as" a Word document, for example, you have a lot of useless files dependent on a defunct application.

All the files saved on the computer. Even as a .doc if you want.

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The save function lets you save your work to a drive on your computer.

My Blog : Opera Web Browser : OpenOffice.org

#4 jgweed

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 07:15 AM

Extreme Tech as a detailed review of the current functionality of ajaxWrite:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1947371,00.asp

Its summary:

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Don't expect ajaxWrite to save you the price of a Microsoft Word license, but you can expect it to bail you out when you need to edit a Word document on a machine that doesn't have Word installed. Interface anomalies, thin feature set, and some bugs hold it back from being anyone's day-to-day word processor. We tip our hat to the new and interesting use of a new technology, however.

Regards,
John

This post has been edited by jgweed: 08 April 2006 - 07:19 AM

Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.