Google Docs: My Future Office Tool?

I have been using Google Docs quite a bit lately. Everything from Documents, Spreadsheets to Presentations. They are Google's answer to web-based Office tools. Another check mark for On-Demand software tools for me to check out. As expected, Google Docs are pretty simple and straight forward. They have a good-majority of the tools that are in MS Office, but are definitely missing some of the bells and whistles.

When MS released Office 2007, my emotions have gone from excitement about the new interface, to frustration when looking for certain everyday features, back to excitement. I really like the interface. I use Power Point quite a bit and really like the insert image, text boxes etc features. It definitely has a "next generation" look and feel about it. Makes total sense that SpaceClaim modeled their interface almost exactly the same. The same can be said for SolidWorks, definitely has an Office 2007 vibe to it. So, if I like Office 2007 so much, why jump over to the dark side and check out Google? Well, simply put, I was curious. But the biggest niche that Google docs fills for me is the online collaboration.

Each document can have one or more "collaborators". So, a team can access and update a living breathing document all at the same time. I can even see when a member of my team is currently working on the document. This is huge for me. I travel quite a bit and work remotely when I am in the office. So, having this collaboration ability is huge. Their are many other positives to list about Google Docs as well. For example, they have the ability to work offline and sync as needed once connected. They seem to work well with MS files both ways (they open and save out). Plus check out below you can link You Tube Videos to them.

Pretty amusing that the biggest limitation of Google Docs is exactly what I do not like about MS Office. That is that Google still lacks some of the advanced features that I use in Office. I am clearly not a power user of the Office Products, but like everyone, there are certain features that I have found that I rely on and use all the time. Google will get there with time as they seem to be constantly updating.

Plus, did I mention Google Docs is free? Anyway, check them out.

CFD is Cool..it's even on YouTube

Amazing to see how far along CAE software has come. It is becoming more and more mainstream. So cool to see it being used in so many different applications. Programs are becoming easier and easier to use, it simply allows more and more people to use them. It was only a year or two ago that SolidWorks had the boys from Orange Country Choppers guest speakers at SW World.

The fact that people are posting clips on YouTube simply proves that CAE and specifically CFD are becoming mainstream.

There are literally countless videos of CFD, CAD and FEA examples posted on YouTube and even MySpace. It's really awesome to see our little world becoming mainstream. See for yourself, go to http://www.youtube.com. Search for "SolidWorks", "Autodesk Inventor" or any of the other mainstream packages out there. Funny if you search for "CFD", you will get a bunch of Chicago Fire Department videos. But dig deeper, you'll find them - try "cfd flow".

It makes me wonder what the future brings? Meaning, exactly how mainstream will it become? We are already seeing the number of vendors reducing substantially due to acquisitions and mergers. Dassault Systemes has SolidWorks, Catia and ABAQUS (now re-branded Simulia). Siemens has Solid Edge, UGNx and its own NASTRAN version. Not to mention, ANSYS, who just seems to just be buying and buying. I posted earlier on PTC acquiring CoCreate. And last but certainly not least, Autodesk has finally entered the simulation market by purchasing Plassotech earlier this year.

What's next? Who else will get into the mix? Adobe has entered quietly with their version of a 3D pdf. It is only a matter of time before this is being used all the time. It simply will expose 3D models that we engineers build everyday to the rest of the world.

I wonder if Microsoft, Yahoo, Google or even Apple will get into the game. Can you imagine Google being a CFD vendor? Or better yet, Steve Jobs demonstrating at a user conference? I am probably getting carried away. But you never know...