Google docs

What is the one thing that most computer users want to do with their computer? Well, there is surfing the internet, and e-mail. However, an essential component of the modern computing experience involves writing documents, making presentations, and at times dealing with spreadsheets. Until now these tasks have always been done through any of the office suites available, which include commercial offerings like Microsoft Office, or free ones such as Open Office, etc. More recently companies like Google have began offering key functionality through the so-called "cloud." That is, basic functionality like editing a text document, but with everything done through an internet browser, and as long as there is an internet connection present. Google has just announced that they will add the ability to work offline in Google docs. But even with this welcome addition, Google faces serious problems and challenges with their take on office products.

No one can deny that Google docs is an innovative approach to offer consumers this type of product. The user interface is clean and easy-to-use, the key functionality for an office suite is present, and the whole thing is free! For many people the thought of dropping a few hundred dollars for a product they will barely use is not an attractive proposition. And it is precisely here is where Google docs succeeds. Not to mention people on many countries simply cannot afford to buy Microsft Office. Google docs deals away with this problem.

However, as good as the word free sounds there are a few things that people should be aware when dealing with anything in the internet. Privacy and Security. When working on Google docs the documents are stored in Google's servers. And although the company is known for the quality of its products, one has to wonder what would happen if the wrong people got access to that data. For corporations, this is not even a point worth arguing - the risk is simply too great: corporate secrets, proprietary information, etc. For normal users this is just as important. What happens when I write a document that contains highly important personal information with Google docs? Social security numbers, tax data, etc. Do I trust Google enough to safeguard my information? And will Google use my own data to feed me advertisement? These are very important questions for anyone wanting to give Google docs a try.

Other office suits like Microsoft Office and Star Office come at a premium. But the benefit - or disadvantage for some people - is that the users are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting their own data. And by having an application installed locally the product can have a richer set of features, that could, otherwise, be seriously limited by an internet connection. It will be interesting to see how much of the consumer market that already owns a commercial office suite would give Google docs a try.

Google docs is a showcase of Web 2.0 technology. It innovates, and it answers one of the most essential needs of computer users. It is especially important for users that simply cannot afford, or those that don't want to pay for office software products. But the innovation and set of features can be a double-edged sword due to privacy and security concerns. And as Google starts offering more and more of the Google docs functionally offline one has to ask if the company ultimate goal is to take on Microsoft Office directly with a product that started online, but just begs to be made offline.

The benefits of multiple monitors for developers

The topic of using multiple monitors has been discussed before in "teh internetz," but I will like to share my views on this use of technology. Research shows that having more screen real-state does increase productivity. It seems that people do work better and more efficiently when they are able to see more of what they are working on.

Generally, the easiest way to get more screen space is not to get a single "huge" monitor, but to use two, or more smaller ones. For example having a single 24'' monitor will provide less screen area than having two smaller 15'' monitors. Software developers, graphic designers, and even Office users can benefit from the multiple-monitor setup. Since programmers can benefit greatly I will do my best to list the benefits of using multiple monitors when developing software.

First, the number one reason to get multiple monitors is because it just looks cool. Secondly, and perhaps the most important reason is that multiple monitors allow you to get more work done. How? In software development it is common to debug by stepping through the code, and at the same time making sure that the line of code executed successfully. However, the output might not be in the same window as the debugger. For example, when debugging a GUI program.

Most developers I know use the "dual-monitor" setup, two monitors of equal or similar size side-by-side. With this setup a developer doesn't have to switch back and forth between the program's output and the debugger. That is precious time saved. In some cases more than two windows need to be open in each screen. For instance, to monitor register, and memory values. This again allows you to have everything in sight instead of having it all crammed in one screen. With one window blocking your view of another.

Another example is having the code editor in one screen and the documentation open in another. You can instantly lookup anything. A good example is in Visual C++ when you put the cursor in a language keyword and press the F1 key - MSDN opens. With a dual screen setup your MSDN is always open and all F1 does is instantly refresh to the correct topic. With Java you might have an IDE open in one screen and a browser with the JDK documentation in another.

So you want to use multiple monitors? The first thing to do is to check whether your computer supports more than one monitor. Most computers only have one VGA or DVI port. If your computer has a video card and it is a newer model it might come with two ports. If you are buying a second monitor I highly recommend that you try to get the same model as your current one. And if you are planning to replace your old monitor get two of the same type.

You might think that switching between program windows doesn't save that much time, but it does. And it also might be the case that because you are able to see everything at once, code and GUI, you are also able to understand what you are doing better. Thus, you get your job done faster. For modern software development I believe that having dual-monitor setup is a must. And even if you can't afford two brand new top-of-the-line LCD's you can always get a cheaper older model. The important thing is having two.