Google guns for Microsoft

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In the face of failure

The best comment in the article on Google's spreadsheet was:

"It's hard to imagine how either of these things (Spreadsheets or Writely) is strategic to their business. They have nothing to do with Google's core business of search," he said. "And it's hard to imagine how either one would have an impact on Microsoft or Office. There have been free alternatives to Office for years, and none have gained traction."

Google sells ads, as another poster said, and search is the content which draws people to the ads. Like the iPod, the predominant player in search (and ads) is unlikely to hold its lead against strong competition, so Google does need more content.

Video looks worthwhile, particularly if all internet useres can be forced to subsidize Google's capacity costs (called "net neutrality" by the supporters of Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, et al). But a word procesor and spreadsheet programs are unlikely to be helpful.

Why?
Because the field is already well covered.

Office provides sufficient performance to serious home and office workers. There will be cheap versions to prevent price from being a consideration.
The hybrid Works (with Word) provides a weak spreadsheet application.
Other companies provide Works equivalents.
There are loyalists for products like WordPerfect.
The ABMers already have Open/Star Office.

But the person quoted is correct: none of the Office alternatives "have gained traction."

So Google's spreadsheet may be a danger to Open/Star Office or WordPerfect's pseudo-Works. The balance among failed products may be shifted. But Office remains unaffected.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 06/06/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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