9 Web-based office productivity suites

A good number of services already allow you to put your own computer in the cloud for free

My Preferences

Out of all the Webtops I tried, the two standouts were Glide OS and G.ho.st. Both have the largest storage capacities, and they offer a wide variety of applications for work and play. If I had to choose between the two, I would work with Glide OS for now, since it has the fastest response time and the fewest problems. But I also like what I'm seeing from G.ho.st, and even though I found some irritating bugs in the beta version, I think it will be a great service once all the kinks are worked out.

Final Thoughts

For my tests I used a MacBook running Mozilla's Firefox Web browser, and I also tested a few of these services on a Windows machine to see if there were any differences. With the exception of iCloud, which was specifically designed for IE, I found few differences running the Webtops on Windows or on a Mac. This is a good sign since a Web-based system needs to be accessible from whatever operating system you happen to be using.

One of the most bothersome aspects of the Webtops I tested was their tendency for the browser to switch out of the Webtop environment and back to your regular browser. This happened most often when I was operating a Webtop in full screen mode, when there was little reason to escape the Webtop space for the standard browser environment.

Despite that complaint, Webtops are a great way to store files for which you need quick access. More importantly, Webtops can give you a familiar work environment that looks the same whether you're working at your home computer, or remotely from a borrowed or public computer. They won't be replacing your traditional desktop anytime soon, but Webtops--the ones that run smoothly and that offer a reasonably broad application set--can release you from the hassle of carrying your apps and data around on a laptop wherever you go.

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.

Tags cloud computingproductivity

More about Amazon Web ServicesAOLAppleBlackBerryBox.netDropboxFacebookGlide OSGoogleICQLinuxMessengerMicrosoftMozillaMSNPrismSymbianWikipediaWYSIWYGYahooZoho

Show Comments
[]