ThinkFree Netbook Edition is out now!

I've written before about ThinkFree and still believe it is one of the top online office productivity suites available on the internet right now. They have created a new edition of their application and I believe it is will be a winner for those people wanting to get away from the shackles of Microsoft Office.

The announcement below came to into my email inbox -- so click through and get more information about the great applications available through ThinkFree.

ThinkFree Netbook Edition is out now. ThinkFree Netbook Edition is the most suitable office suite for Netbooks and mobile devices. Get your Free 30-Day Trial now. Once you use our Netbook Office Edition, you'll never go back to using a traditional office suite again. Download the 30-day trial now Get more information ThinkFree Manager Version 3.5.2. has been updated. Improved features allow you to easily delete, move, and rename files in ThinkFree Manager without being connected to your online storage. You can start using ThinkFree Manager for free by downloading ThinkFree Office. If you haven't installed ThinkFree Office yet, you can download it by going to http://product.thinkfree.com/get-office. Click here to view our video tutorial Please let us know if you have any questions by visiting us at http://help.thinkfree.com

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Update: Cutting the Microsoft Apron Strings (Thinkfree, Google, DesktopTwo)

Just wanted to get an update of a previous blog entry. I've been doing some additional "using" of the Office Productivity apps (that are available online) and I still believe Thinkfree is winning the race - Google Docs & Spreadsheets is pretty good (and there is the power and deep pockets of Google behind it) and really as one of my commenters mentioned, DesktopTwo is really more about a virtual desktop/webtop, not really so much about OPAs.

Testing -
Spent sometime with Google Spreadsheets and really enjoyed the ability to share and collaborate on a spreadsheet. I got two other people working on it at the same time and as someone make changed, it "told" you they were active, then showed the changes. Also, you could use GoogleTalk while working on it. But I believe the best scenario would be have something people around the world work on.

Now, Thinkfree is really creating online applications that provide an easy transition off the MSFT platform. The only gotcha is using these apps with my "work" computer - there is extra security at work, with all sorts of "you can't do that" warnings that pop up. But, working from home or offsite (non-VPN) - these apps work great. I uploaded a few complex spreadsheets and documents - and they showed up and I could work on them. Also, created a presentation with "slide transitions" - once again, much like the MSFT interface/workflow.

zoltandragon said...
Hi, I am a ThinkFree user, and have transferred the editing process of a journal completely to the online application offered by ThinkFree. Before doing that I also tested desktoptwo, writely, and many others - but they are no match for thinkfree. If you look at the word processing applications offered, ThinkFree is far beyond all: it is the sole competitor for Microsoft's Office. If you check out Desktoptwo, you will get a stripped down editor that does not really have more to offer than a tinymce editor - certainly nothing to compare with ThinkFree's full online office support. Oh, one more thing: Desktoptwo uses OpenOffice - a software I have been having a lot of
problems not only in terms of editing options, but also in terms of compatibility.

On DesktopTwo, I got the following comment from an un-named resource, so add a dash of salt will reading....

Anonymous said...
True, but it doesn't appear as if Desktoptwo is focusing on the office prod. apps as much as they are on the desktop itself. I agree that OpenOffice (the suite that's included in Desktoptwo) is not as good as ThinkFree, but Desktoptwo, as a virtual desktop or webtop, is phenomenal. Looks like they created everything but the OpenOffice suite so I wonder if they could port ThinkFree in there instead of OO. That would be great....

So, at the end of the day -- big money may win, Google has a money to burn and lots of resource. But they also have limited focus on anyone particular technology (beyond search). Money covers up lots of "holes" that become huge when the money start getting tight. On the other hand, I value focus - and both Thinkfree and DesktopTwo have focus. Have you ever noticed how a smaller (but extremely focused) group of people can change the world!!

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Cutting the Microsoft Office apron strings (Thinkfree, Google, DesktopTwo)

STOP!
If you've come this far, followed a link from another website (BTW, thanks thinkfree) why not spend a few more seconds and...Leave a comment, read some other stuff on the blog, or go back and signup for an account with thinkfree!!

Taking your everyday applications and moving them to the web has been the goal of some for a decade - the killer app is email, but there are many out there in the Punditude (my word) world that believe collaboration IS the real killer app. Something that allows you to work with others, via online, voice, shared space or applications, video. Regardless, of the real killer app, there is a group of "office" apps online today - ready to be used that allow everyone to cut those Microsoft Office apron strings - here are three solutions (two I've tried, one I will try, soon)...


Thinkfree - so far, one of the better web implementations of office productivity apps (docs, spreads, presentation). These guys allow you to save your work in the "industry standard" - Microsoft dictated file formats (doc, xls, ppt) - or you can do quick edits via the interface without worrying about it. So far, everything works as advertised. I've been able to work on files online, and download, then edit with my MSFT products. Also, you can share your files via a publishable/mailable URL. Pretty slick, good implementation. If I had a rating system, I would give it a 9 out of 10 (but I don't).


Google with Spreadsheets and Writely - Google had the foresight (and the war chest) to buy Writely - an online document creation/editing/sharing application. I like Writely, it's simple and easy to use, some bells and whistles along the way and of course Google behind them to "make it all come together". Google Spreadsheets on the other hand is really not very useful - too simplistic for any type of real spreadsheet user (let alone a power user) - but if you want to add a row of number together, it's great. My rating: Writely 8 of 10, Spreadsheets 3 of 10.



DesktopTwo - this one is really a full replacement for your "personal applications" more than just the office productivity stuff. I don't know more than what I've read, have not signed up for the demo/beta yet - but plan to soon. No rating. (btw, what I've read about it, it seems very sophisticated and may be a big time player, too early to tell).

That's it - 3 solutions - 3 opinions - in 1 blog entry.

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