Acer Review, Asus Review – Netbook 10

Editor’s Note: I’m pretty pro-Microsoft - However, in the interest of fair speech have to let Carolyn profess her love for Google Docs ;) .  

This article was written using Google Docs running on Google Chrome.

Aren’t we seeing too much of Google in an article posted on a netbook site? Wait ’til you’ve read one where I’ll throw in Google Android into the mix. But that will have to wait. Today, we talk about Google Docs.

Google Docs was not made primarily for netbooks. It is supposed to be a web application that simplifies collaboration when working on typical office applications like word processors, spread sheets, and presentations.

But then again, since netbooks are selling like hotcakes, chances are the person whom you’ll be doing collaborative work with is already using one.

Picture yourself leading a team of writers scattered across the globe. Now, at a certain point, you’re thinking of coming up with a feature series made up of 10 closely related articles complete with images and drawings. I don’t know how you’d normally do it but here’s how you could using Google Docs.

Create a new file, hammer down a raw outline, then share it with writers who’ll be doing the project with you. Let’s assume that you instructed them to put in suggestions in the sections specifically assigned to them. Let’s also assume that you’re initially working from the comfort of your home.

So your writers, say 5 of them, each receive emails notifying them of the shared document. They promptly open the document and check out the sections assigned to them. Of course, they can see the other portions that are not assigned to them. Notice that they’ll be looking at the same document at the same time.

Now, right after you’ve shared them the doc, you decide to have some refreshments at a local cafe. So, you grab your netbook and head straight to the place. Once there, you flip open your netbook, log into your Google Docs account and open the file. At this point, you’re now ‘simultaneous viewer’ number 6.

As you scroll down the file, you see the different portions come alive as your writers pour in their thoughts. (Actually, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. More often than not, you’ll have to save the file from your end or refresh the browser to see the changes take place.).

You feel that some of the initial inputs warrant comments from you so you add a few lines too. Likewise, all your writers are going to see the changes and your comments as well.

In the days that follow, you continue building up the series with text, images, and drawings. All of these will be done on a SINGLE DOCUMENT. Past revisions are automatically saved, allowing you to revert to them if needed. Also, since you don’t want to stay put in one place (and neither do your remote writers), you’ll be working from different places (beach, restaurant, pool, cafe, park, office, home, etc.) every day.

So why is a netbook the perfect device for the this application?

1. Because you really don’t need a full notebook to do the tasks mentioned earlier. and
2. Because only a netbook will allow you to do all these for an extended period.

Imagine having to go to the beach with a regular notebook.

Related posts:

1. What MS Office 14′s Entry Will Mean for Netbooks
2. Top 5 Reasons People Choose Netbooks Over Notebooks
3. Android Netbooks – HP etc. looking to Android Netbooks
4. Office for Netbooks – Microsoft developing Netbook specific version of Office 14
5. Asus N10 Review

Filed under: Netbook Thoughts