What is Digg?88 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+56I used to think the idea of webapps was generally retarded. Then I started moving around more. Now I may be working on my Sunray at work. My Solaris box at work. My linux laptop at work. My Powerbook at work. Or one of my windows, powerbook or linux laptops at home. Or one of my several desktop boxes at home. Or visiting my family 1500 miles away and using their machine -- or my laptop there.
And being able to hit up google to check my spreadsheet (say, for a budget or something) from any of these machines at any time is pretty convenient. Throw in the fact that I can share and discuss the spreadsheets in real time with someone else online.
The only real downside is that most or all of these services gaurantee no privacy, security or reliability. Free is great, but what's the point if I might lose all of my data next week and have no recourse? - zachgc, on 10/12/2007, -13/+50Why isn't the industry taking notice? Because it's called freaking Zoho!
- insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -26/+63I think it doesn't matter because no one wants to use an online version of an app that runs fine on their computer to begin with.
- slant, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28Two things about that:
1) It costs a LOT of cash if you want the software that runs smoothly enough to use consistently (not Open Office, in other words, as much as I AM for the open software revolution).
2) Accessibility to your documents is greatly improved when they are stored on the Internet with the actual web application that is used for modifying them. Yes, I use a USB "thumb drive" to store and carry my crap around too, but you still need the software (see point 1).
I personally like the idea of being able to get to any of my documents anywhere I am that has Internet access and for free at that! - gmurray, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23Maybe they aren't doing well because their logo looks like its for baby food.
- Nahor, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22Impressive that it does open document already
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+24No, it's spam when you link to YOUR OWN BLOG.
This is no diiffernet than linking to "google.com" and telling everyone about this really cool new search engine you found. - delhokie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14At first, I was the same way about online aps- who need them. But, in working with Cub Scouts, where people are scattered about, and even with some clients, these programs have merit. The ease of collaboration is really the key. I know people who not only don't know how to use the reviewers tools in Word, but have even made mistakes and lost crucial changes. But, create a document in Zoho Writer or Writely, then share it and boom... done.
I've used Zoho and Google's products and they both have their advantages- all about choice and personal preferences. - Yashu, on 10/12/2007, -8/+22It's spam when you link to a blog that has the link and it's spam when you directly link, according to digg everything is spam!
- jamesthejust, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I can't access it at all. 'Why isn't the industry taking notice?' Because we can't!
- DCstewieG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9And what would be the problem with that? If Digg had been around way back when, we'd have had a link to Google, or more likely, their Stanford page. That's *exactly* what Digg is for.
- emer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6By the way, this is also still in Beta unlike the title leads you to believe.
Nonetheless, still a good app. - blinkfink182, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Inaccurate statement. 1% of six billion people is 60,000,000. I think Zoho would be pretty damned successful if that many people heard of them. ;)
- Escamillo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I can't even connect to the site. What business is going to want to host documents on a site that they can't connect with?
- Mysk, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7That group actually has a collection of rather interesting tools, some of which I had the pleasure of beta testing and reviewing back when I covered tech topics on my blog. They're well worth looking at if you're interested in these sort of web applications.
- snowbooch, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7apparently they don't have MS and Google beat on server capacity because the site isn't loading
- hanapbuhay, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5What's up with all the different domain names. They should have named their sites:
writer.zoho.com
spreadsheet.zoho.com
presentation.zoho.com
not zohoshow.com, zohowriter.com, and zohosheet.com - lukejames, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Well, why should I notice? The entire point of web apps are to free the user from the constraints of an operating system, and the bloated codebase of traditional and aging desktop applications. It is supposed to be the chance to invite EVERYONE to the party. However, it severely damages the potential of a web app suite trying to usurp MS Office when you make it Windows only/IE preferred with Mozilla 1.4 supported. They state clearly in the forums (not once, but twice): "We have no plans to support the Mac OS or the Safari web browser." Forty million of the most active users of the web community have just been shut out of the party... forever.
- MikeJo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Then why should we bother checking it?
- EmmEff, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I think the readers of Digg have it beat- the site is down.
- chris9902, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3simple answer: NO!
longer answer: NOOOOOOOOO! - mstar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I have no problem whatsoever. Pretty quick, including the demo video too.
- Leathersoup, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5My big issue is privacy. Why would I every want to use an online suite of office tools when security cannot be guaranteed?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3You know how many submissions have linked directly to the Apple store? Hundreds.
- radison2, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Apparently the future of Virtual Office runs on a 14.4 modem. Perhaps Google and MS still have some work to do but at least they can withstand the digg effect.
- RickySan65, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It is free, did you even check their site?
- dpakonline, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I just like how it says "While Google is in beta", but when you click on any of the apps on Zoho, most of them still have beta next to their names.
- jeffburg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i know why no one has noticed... its not 100% free and you have to sign up seperately for the different services
- tblanchard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I tried zoho creator - I like http://dabbledb.com better.
zoho - soso - fatdog789, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Zoho doesn't have google in its name, so it doesn't get all the unwarranted attention or hype.
- bradsuglybro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3While most people seem to be lamenting the fact that these companies are trying to create a different approach to how we use the net we should remember that this is a world based experience. Maybe you can afford to have a fully featured rich Office app on your PC and use all the latest gadgets but many others cannot afford the money or the time. In many years to come this approach will enable all of us to express ourselves in many different ways and share our knowledge and experience where ever we come from.
What harm can come from these ideas and experimenting with them. A little less negative thought is required and a little more use of our expertise and help in making these apps better in every way, where ever they come from, be it Zoho, Google, MS etc. - ElectroOverlord, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Scalability! Thats is why no one will notice.
Could they handle the bandwidth/cycles/visitors of a MS/Google size site. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2They may be first to release their product but they don't have the popularity of google or microsoft, I think that's the reason. I haven't seen their product advertised very much either, i've only heard of this zoho thing today. This digg is probably the best advertising scheme they've got.
- pcheaven2k, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The concept of web apps is a good one that lots of people will find useful (eventually) however there are a couple flaws with all current models being employed by web app developers....
1.) There is little to no guaranteed security/privacy
2.) They use different formats or don't fully support popular formats
3.) They are only feasible if you have DSL/Cable/Wireless internet access
Here is what I would do if I could do it:
Develop a web-based Operating System shell account service.....by that I mean a Virtual Machine that runs inside your web browser for which you can install what ever OS you want on it. You (the user) can configure that OS with your choice of Security, Features, Passwords, Applications, etc. just like if it was on a physical computer you were sitting in front of....
Then you could install the applications you want (OpenOffice, Adobe PDF Reader, etc.) and have access to them from any internet connected pc/workstation or even web-enabled device like cellphones, psp's and appliances.
The Virtual Machines themselves would be like QEMU for Linux and would emulate PC Hardware. These would run (presumably on Linux Servers) and therefore you (as in the server administrator) could easily create a set of rules for the Emulated Network (internet) Interface to only allow certain types of traffic like http, https, ftp, pop3, smtp, imap, etc. and block file sharing and other more deviant services. Thus making it useful for the majority of computer users while safe, reliable and private. - UnderLoK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1They only offer 10 free licenses...
- Four20, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I don't believe the use, and need for this type of web application. . .will catch on, until someone like Google(doubtfully Microsoft), will tie in all of their web applications and services into theirs.
In any case, props to zoho for beating everyone to the point. But again, I don't think Just an on-line word app, or planner will be useful until massive things are integrated into it. - ioannusdeverani, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Because I think you might get something out of it
- skymt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Writely does too. It's not all that impressive.
- schmichael, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I can't imagine any serious business actually using a web application Office solution unless they could host it. Think of the security issues. If one of these online office sites gets hacked not only are they probably full of credit card numbers from customers, but the credit card numbers of those customers' customers. Not to mention private data which could include anything.
Bad idea. I like my data where I can see it. - rkettner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1And because it doesn't have a name like "Google" it is also less likely to be trusted. I for one don't mind having my e-mail, calendar, word, and excel stuff on google... but some random small company that might be gone tomorrow? Not likely...
- e03179, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Zowho?
- mistshadow2k4, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't know what all the "site is down" posts are about. Works fine for me.
I don't travel much, so I don't really need this. I think that has a lot to do with Zoho and others not being noticed; Google and Microsoft got noticed so quickly in this field because they were big names already. Frankly, the majority of people, even nerds, aren't really their target demographic. It's the folks who do a lot of traveling and can't take a laptop with them everywhere that this stuff is designed for.
And I much prefer to have my office apps on my computer for two reasons; 1) occasionally, the DSL connection here goes down (we get violent storms here regularly); and 2) PRIVACY. Google and Microsoft are both notorious for their lack of respect for privacy, but so far every other online app company seems to be just as bad. - dognose, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Office .. "price starts at $295." Yeah, pricey too. These types of sites get you with initial free versions, but then start jacking up the price. I'd like a site with a sustainable business model.
- gooddoggytreat, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4You know what Zoho needs?
A new name, one that might actually inform me that it is an office suite (from the name, I totally forgot, and thought it was the name of some sort of revolutionized Soho cafe). I mean, look at OpenOffice, I know it's an office suite. I don't have the slightest clue that Zoho is an office suite by name.
And these two are just for annoyances, but, in order to be cool and Web 2.0, you need subtle gradients and tagclouds! MUST HAVE TAGCLOUDS! Everything should have tagclouds. Tagclouds have tagclouds, too. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -7/+8You guys are completely missing the point. Yes...maybe these are good for YOU. But you are not hte typical worker/personal user. Msot people are not trying to communicate with hundreds of Cub Scout groups, etc. The vast majority of people work at a company with Windows computers and who have legally purchassed the MS Office license, and also have it on their home Windows computer. They have absolutely no need for these applicatons to be available online. Nor do they WANT their sensitive information to have even a remote chance of getting lost, or hijacked over the internet. THAT is why they are not taking off in popularity. Bottom line...for most people, the risks far outweigh the gains. Not to mention, the PERCEIVED risks are probably greater than the real risks. (People REALLY don't like having sensitive info on the internet, no matter how safe it really IS, people think it is not.)
So really...enough with the anecdotal "It is great for ME, so why doesn't everyone love it?" questions. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Zoho should be free to the public, and after then... we'll talk.
- sonician, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This really needs a single sign on for the different tools.
- phuchead, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1well first off, it looks like a very stable app. i am going to play with it more, and then i can give a real opinion on it. As far as the same it is a play on the SOHO small office/home office the name is very catchy, i got it right away and it is more then just a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation suite, it also has a free-ish group chat, and a bunch of other off site officy ***** too. it is kind of the step up for a SOHO but i don't know what the "Z" stands for, and looking at the blog they are working on one thing i have been looking for an online project manager!!! it is apparently very beta... but i am going to go check that out.
I love google, and i know that i have been waiting for them to come out with one, but if this works i will use it! i really appreciate the article and it gets a digg++ from me.
-phuc - afred, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1If this had opera support, i would have given it a try. booo
- unsavory, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The reason ZOHO is not being noticed is because they copied all their ideas from everyone else and only did it half as well.
Writer is a blatant copy of Writely and not as good (buggy).
Creator is a blatant copy of DabbleDb and not even close to as good.
Forgot which web2.0 company they copied their 'sheets' from, but I remember there was one before them and it was better. I don't use spreadsheets so can't remember which it is.
All ZOHO does is rip off other ideas... they are boring and not innovative. -
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