Google Spreadsheets

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

MickJ pointed out the new spreadsheets.google.com site. I discoverd that I have access to it thru my Google acct and didn't even know it.

I uploaded some local spreadsheets and created a moderately complex new one. There are a few bugs, but this thing is amazing. Basic Excel on the web, shareable, fast enough, and available-everywhere. It is password protected (though no SSL).

Since the DW and I can both edit it and refer to it, I just might start transferring all my financial stuff there. Would keep identifiers, acct numbers, pw's and other sensitive stuff off.

Next will come google wordprocessing (they acquired Writely). Pretty neat trend in my view.

[Cool Dood]

And then Google Life? I want them just to take my entire life, digitize it, and then live it from there. Everything else they do seems to be an improvement on the original!

They're probably developing the tools now...

[cube_rat]

Google has a few cool products but I restrain myself from using most of them. I don't need the mothership tracking my every move and compiling a profile on me.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cube_rat Google has a few cool products but I restrain myself from using most of them. I don't need the mothership tracking my every move and compiling a profile on me.

That's life in these United States, I'm afraid. I don't worry about them tracking me but I would assume that any data you store with them is vulnerable so I'd be cautious.

I figure I'm already being tracked by MC, VISA, IRS, insurance companies, ISP, employer, licensing boards, the DEA, and more. Frankly, I'm counting on the fact that I'm not that interesting.

[Texas Proud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa That's life in these United States, I'm afraid. I don't worry about them tracking me but I would assume that any data you store with them is vulnerable so I'd be cautious. I figure I'm already being tracked by MC, VISA, IRS, insurance companies, ISP, employer, licensing boards, the DEA, and more. Frankly, I'm counting on the fact that I'm not that interesting.

But you forgot all those cameras that we have place around your house..... we see ALLLLLLL..

[Scrooge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa That's life in these United States, I'm afraid. I don't worry about them tracking me but I would assume that any data you store with them is vulnerable so I'd be cautious.

I have run a government database (or five). What worries me is not that my data may be tracked, but rather that it may be tracked incorrectly.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrooge I have run a government database (or five). What worries me is not that my data may be tracked, but rather that it may be tracked incorrectly.

Or, like the military, not tracked at all...

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Its not just that the data is vulnerable. They mine and index everything just like they do web pages. Just for statistical interest and no other purpose, and i'm sure they have no evil intent. However, those mines and indexes do have a tendency to get swiped.

So no acct numbers, passwords, or other sensititive data...

Pretty soon, all the apps will be googleized, and they'll offer free broadband, and all you'll need to access it is a google approved piece of desktop s/w or a google appliance and enjoy the advertising and prioritized information based on who pays the most. Maybe not a bad trade. Sort of like tv...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa MickJ pointed out the new spreadsheets.google.com site. I discoverd that I have access to it thru my Google acct and didn't even know it. I uploaded some local spreadsheets and created a moderately complex new one. There are a few bugs, but this thing is amazing. Basic Excel on the web, shareable, fast enough, and available-everywhere. It is password protected (though no SSL). Since the DW and I can both edit it and refer to it, I just might start transferring all my financial stuff there. Would keep identifiers, acct numbers, pw's and other sensitive stuff off. Next will come google wordprocessing (they acquired Writely). Pretty neat trend in my view.

What is the main advantage this has over excel on a local PC? - What is amazing about it? - I am slowly moving a lot of my stuff to google.

[Scrooge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords Or, like the military, not tracked at all...

Well, if the government is not tracking (some of) my data, then it's not a big deal as long as I don't expect that data to be tracked.

But when I do expect the government to be tracking my data -- e.g. I expect FDIC to have enough information to determine that I have $99K deposited with Honest Al's Burgers and Savings and Loan -- then it had better have that information and it had better be accurate. Just in case, you know.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat What is the main advantage this has over excel on a local PC? - What is amazing about it? - I am slowly moving a lot of my stuff to google.

Its free. And its not microsoft. Two key advantages for some folks. Oh yeah, and you can access your spreadsheets from anywhere.

Think on it...if you have your documents, pictures, movies, email, and everything else "on google", you could throw your existing pc into the garbage can, slide your new one in, log in to google and voila!

We used to have the same thing, only it was called a system/370 and a 3270 terminal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cute Fuzzy Bunny Its free. And its not microsoft. Two key advantages for some folks. Oh yeah, and you can access your spreadsheets from anywhere. Think on it...if you have your documents, pictures, movies, email, and everything else "on google", you could throw your existing pc into the garbage can, slide your new one in, log in to google and voila! We used to have the same thing, only it was called a system/370 and a 3270 terminal

I used to have that too!

And then you gotta hope that they back up your files.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Yep, thats the other 64,000 question...

[Cool Dood]

Still true today. Although I guess with inflation, that's the 64,000,000-dollar question.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Proud But you forgot all those cameras that we have place around your house..... we see ALLLLLLL..

You need to get out more.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat What is the main advantage this has over excel on a local PC? - What is amazing about it? - I am slowly moving a lot of my stuff to google.

Well, to an ex-programmer like me it is amazing that they can make a web-based app run so much like an executable app. They trap arrow presses, support almost full text and cell background colors and formatting, auto-save every 10 seconds, have lots of formula support, etc. Amazing in that it works and doesn't feel like the typical java program where everything lags.

The shareability by invitation is cool, too. Use while traveling, share with family etc. Update from home, work, etc. I like it.

[cube_rat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cute Fuzzy Bunny We used to have the same thing, only it was called a system/370 and a 3270 terminal

aka dumb terminals

[cube_rat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Well, to an ex-programmer like me it is amazing that they can make a web-based app run so much like an executable app. They trap arrow presses, support almost full text and cell background colors and formatting, auto-save every 10 seconds, have lots of formula support, etc. Amazing in that it works and doesn't feel like the typical java program where everything lags. The shareability by invitation is cool, too. Use while traveling, share with family etc. Update from home, work, etc. I like it.

Whoa, a programmer to a doctor!!!

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Eh, both poke stuff looking for bugs, while dealing primarily with irrational people who dont understand anything thats going on. Pretty much the same thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Well, to an ex-programmer like me it is amazing that they can make a web-based app run so much like an executable app. They trap arrow presses, support almost full text and cell background colors and formatting, auto-save every 10 seconds, have lots of formula support, etc. Amazing in that it works and doesn't feel like the typical java program where everything lags. The shareability by invitation is cool, too. Use while traveling, share with family etc. Update from home, work, etc. I like it.

So, amazing from a technology viewpoint rather than a functionality viewpoint? Correct?

Share with family? - Not gonna happen here! - My wife is about as interested in my spreadsheets as I am in getting another job!