Everything has been going smooth with Google Docs and Spreadsheets experiments. Why did I feel compelled to pony up for Office licenses for home PC and Mac? Tell me. I need to know. Is it because I’m not the smartest bulb on the tree? Or perhaps it’s because I’m not the brightest knife in the drawer? Well, honestly, that could be true. Ok, I can see where this might go - don’t tell me why I bought MS Office. But, note to self- how come I didn’t just stick with Google Docs and Spreadsheets

In retrospect, it seems silly to think that I needed any more gizmos and whatchamacallit functionality in a word processor and spreadsheet program. I mean, I’m probably still using the same available features from 8 years ago. Did I really need to pay for another doohickey? Give me bold, italics, alignment, and I’m good. Throw in some fonts and sizing. Fine thank you. Underlining? Are you kidding me? I’m totally in. Now for spreadsheets, I’d like to be able to sum using something like: =sum(c12:c22) Heck, with something like that, I’m happy. Format certain columns as currency or percentage. Well, hot damn. Can I create some charts with the numbers and labels? Oh, that’s just peachy.

But, you cry, what about Sharepoint integration! And I’d say, sure, I’ve been exposed to the all mighty Sharepoint and it’s integration fancy schmancy-ness. On a positive side, I do think the alternative to Sharepoint collaboration- emailing attachments around is much worse than Sharepoint. But, are you going to hear me praise any more than that? hell, no. And besides, I can do some non-email-attachment-sharing with a gazillion other web based document sharing sites.

Ok, yes, I admit Google Docs and SS, isn’t as fast as local installed Office. You got me there. But common, it’s not that bad. I’m on a high speed network most waking hours. And besides, the benefits outweigh this only con. Sharing is easy. Backups are not a concern. And the functionality I use? It’s there.

Does this post have a happy ending? I can’t think of one. Is it intended for you to think about buying an Office license? Maybe, but this is more of a pointing the finger at myself moment.  Well, at least I could do is leave you with some kind of intellectual tidbit? wait a minute- are you serious? we already went over the bulb and knife thing, right?

But, if you are an home user or small business, I do suggest considering Google Apps (Docs and Spreadsheets are included) for your word processor and spreadsheet needs.

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