When Google met spreadsheet

Google is now taking names of people who want to test out its new spreadsheet program, which is set to launch in beta.

The program is another front in Google's war with Microsoft, but it's not the only office application in the search giant's arsenal. Google recently bought the Writely Web-based word-processing program.

For its part, Microsoft has been working on developing more Web-centric services, including in its Office applications.

Should Microsoft be worried? Not yet, say the bloggers. Many are pointing out that while the Google applications may appeal to home users, big businesses are likely to stick with Microsoft, at least for now.

Blog community response:

"Though Google says it's working on improving printing, charts, filtering and 'drag and drop' features, in the current state Google Spreadsheet may offer competition to other web-based spreadsheet software like NumSum, ZohoSheet, JotSpot Tracker, iRows or wikiCalc but not to the rock-solid Microsoft Excel. They are still miles apart."
--Digital Inspiration

"Excel is a hugely important piece of software for businesses, and no multi-million dollar corporation is going to run their payroll off a web-based solution. Google may very well steal the considerably smaller home user market from Microsoft Office, but businesses likely require far more."
--Inside Google

"Just as Gmail messages are delivered with content-sensitive AdSense ads, so could documents. For example, if a user starts creating a spreadsheet about Future Widget Sales Growth, the web-based application could load ads pointing to alternate Widget suppliers. This would make AdSense even more desirable for potential advertisers."
--Ars Technica

[cbs_bull]

"They make more money, it's not like their kids use these same products, it can make American children sick. Of course they'll keep poisening." (by squeakof2006 January 11, 2010 2:01 PM EST)

Well, not true. Chinese and their kids are living in a much worse and poisonous environment than we are. They are even fed with melamine tainted milk long after it was known to public. Read this:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/07/ap/asia/main6065908.shtml

Our problem is the big corps. They care more about their profits than kids.

[joann_copperud]

Responsible importers have their products tested at certified laboratories. Our laboratory in Seattle WA can test toys and jewelry suspected of containing lead or cadmium. More information can be found at our website: www.rgaenv.com

[squeakof2006]

This is why we need to bring American manufacturing back. The Aisian companies have much to profit with the demise of America. Why would they bother to keep the products safe? They make more money, it's not like their kids use these same products, it can make American children sick. Of course they'll keep poisening. American needs to stop importing from these nations. Place an embargo or something on them.

[cbs_bull]

Good job. Keep changing poisons until all 'foreign devils' are dead...

[door331]

since when is jewelry considered a "children's product". stop being retarded parents and dont let your kids chew on your jewelry (looking at you negligent mothers.)

[ss433]

... and we wonder why autism has risen.

[longtree-2009]

check labels of all purchases, avoid buying anything made in china if at all possible. china doesn't have to invade the usa, just kill us slowly with contaminated products especially our children. today, as a result of china's products and their contaminants, many of us avoid eating at chinese restaurants as well. if you have a 401, investments, belong to any organization that invests, you probably have a stake in corporate america having china manufacture whatever. personally detest chinese more than any other group here in the usa.

[erasmus111]

by longtree-2009 January 11, 2010 5:09 AM EST
check labels of all purchases, avoid buying anything made in china if at all possible.


Well good luck with that one. All the parts, or ingredients of something can come from China, but as long as it is ASSEMBLED in the U.S., it can say "Made in U.S.A.".

[stephanienym]

Chemical warfare people!

[erasmus111]

by stephanienym January 11, 2010 3:24 AM EST
Chemical warfare people!


Exactly. Pretty clever, huh? And we are all too stupid to do anything about it. We will just continue letting them poison us. Maybe that's why we have so many people dying of kidney disease, cancer......? Maybe that is why so many people have mental problems? People shooting and killing each other. Yeah, before long they should be able to move right in and take over.

[erasmus111]

There is absolutely nothing that comes from China that anyone should consider safe. NOTHING. And most of it isn't even being tested. Once in awhile someone picks up on something and decides to test it. EVERYTHING needs to be tested.

Something that should be tested is BEADS. Kids use them to make bracelets and necklaces. There are colored plastic ones and metal ones. I will bet you anything that there IS lead in them.

[Jack Wiseheimer]

What do the bunches of safety agencies do all day long? To allow high concentrations of cadmium is criminal. Don't they know that!
What the Chinese don't put into rechargeable batteries they put into childrens' toys? This criminal activity of disposing waste requires a stiff reponse. There seems to be a series of such an outrageous behavior, strontium sulfide in Chinese-made dry-walls, now cadmium in kids' toys - what's next?
Do the administration really believe that China will ever abide by high saftey standards? These examples are teaching us otherwise. It's nice to have neat cheap toys for kids but not at the expense of their health. Wal Mart and the other companies should recall this crap in order to return it to sender. The safety agencies should impose stiff fines and regulate the stuff by requiring safety certification, or else black-list the products.