Google Docs Vs. Microsoft Word

Kaustubh Katdare · 2006-11-08T05:57:44+00:00

It makes perfect sense for us to have debates of technical nature. Now I'm not very sure how good this debate topic is - "Will Google Docs replace Microsoft Word in the long run?" I understand that right now, the two products cannot be compared for one is web based & the other is a desktop application. Let the fight begin! -The Big K-

Google Docs Vs. Microsoft Word

Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator

Updated: Oct 23, 2024

Views: 1.2K

It makes perfect sense for us to have debates of technical nature. Now I'm not very sure how good this debate topic is -

"Will Google Docs replace Microsoft Word in the long run?"

I understand that right now, the two products cannot be compared for one is web based & the other is a desktop application.

Let the fight begin!

-The Big K-

0

Replies

Howdy guest!

Dear guest, you must be logged-in to participate on CrazyEngineers. We would love to have you as a member of our community. Consider creating an account or login.

Replies

pad

Member • Nov 8, 2006

i wish i could be an oracle....😔

if i compare these two on functional basis... google is going to throw M$ out of business...(provided google keeps the pace for another two years)... M$ Office is a great product but... u know what... it locks u in... just to share M$ docs u need a great infrastructure in place... and we use only about 5-6% of features for the price we pay to purchase 100% of features.

well... the way technology is changing... desktop application vs web-application is not much a matter of concern.

google has great innovators... i vote in their favour....

NOW THE HISTORY: qwerty is the keyboard layout we use and is default on most systems. THIS IS CRIPLED AND STILL USED overlooking DVORAK layout which is much better... how may of us are aware i dont know....
Moral... just good products dont win... a little luck is also needed 😉

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Prasad Ajinkya

Member • Nov 8, 2006

Would prefer Google Docs because of the following reasons -
1. I hate Microsoft (ok ... I am just kidding ... I just dislike it ;-) )
2. Online collaboration becomes a piece of cake
3. I just need a browser to use the documents, no Office is needed

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Nov 9, 2006

kidakaka
Would prefer Google Docs because of the following reasons -
1. I hate Microsoft (ok ... I am just kidding ... I just dislike it ;-) )
2. Online collaboration becomes a piece of cake
3. I just need a browser to use the documents, no Office is needed
Probably reason#1 is the biggest reason why people want to use Google Docs. I'll wait for few more replies before I comment 😉

I've no clue if Office Live solves the problem of online collaboration. I have tried the latest version of MS Word and believe me, it rocks!

-The Big K-

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
crook

Member • Dec 15, 2006

kidakaka
Would prefer Google Docs because of the following reasons -
1. I hate Microsoft (ok ... I am just kidding ... I just dislike it ;-) )
2. Online collaboration becomes a piece of cake
3. I just need a browser to use the documents, no Office is needed
I go with MS Word. For me its really easy to fire up my Word and start composing a message. I really hate when browser hangs up or takes up forever to show up. I seldom use online collaboration.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Prasad Ajinkya

Member • Dec 15, 2006

Do you use IE by any chance :hehehe: ... What about OpenOffice? ... I know we are comparing Google Docs Vs. Microsoft Word here, but the OpenOffice suite is also pretty nifty. It takes some time to load (thinks its java based), but once its up and running, its as good as any.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
mail154

Member • Jul 25, 2013

Rather than getting into very technical issues i don't think the web based application will replace the desktop application until everyone in the world uses internet. 😀

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Jul 25, 2013

mail154
Rather than getting into very technical issues i don't think the web based application will replace the desktop application until everyone in the world uses internet. 😀
That's a very generic statement. I think the world's already moved beyond 'web' and the 'mobile apps' are the new desktops. I think HTML5 offers several possibilities that will eventually allow complete replacement of the desktop apps.

The Chromebook OS is trying to do that; but it's still way behind what the Desktops have achieved. I'm still looking for a worthy competitor to Microsoft's Office Program. Linux folks love OpenOffice; but I could never spend more than 5 minutes on it.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Sarathkumar Chandrasekaran

Member • Jul 25, 2013

I wish Microsoft sustain the battle.Ms word has the best user interface i had seen and cannot be compared to google docs.Yes google is a nice web app but still I should have net connection to do it.
So i opt for MS Word.
😀

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
mail154

Member • Jul 25, 2013

Kaustubh Katdare
That's a very generic statement. I think the world's already moved beyond 'web' and the 'mobile apps' are the new desktops. I think HTML5 offers several possibilities that will eventually allow complete replacement of the desktop apps.

The Chromebook OS is trying to do that; but it's still way behind what the Desktops have achieved. I'm still looking for a worthy competitor to Microsoft's Office Program. Linux folks love OpenOffice; but I could never spend more than 5 minutes on it.

hey big k i an not a linux folk but i still love openoffice than ms office...its a very good competitor and i think it would overtake due to its open source nature..i don't think google docs as a competitor because there is differences on it for internet requirement..still open office is great

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Jeffrey Arulraj

Member • Jul 26, 2013

I personally find doing a document on the go is much better than carrying my laptop every where cos of MS office

My vote is google Editor It allows more and also it's autosave feature is really cool that I don't have to worry about saving my long document every now and then

First impression of Google Editor It beat Ms Black and Blue

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Abhishek Rawal

Member • Jul 26, 2013

Libreoffice is way better than MS Office, because it is free. I won't spend 5K for the same product with MS prefix.
I have listened everyone praising MS Office, but I haven't found a bit difference between LibreOffice & MSOffice.(Maybe most people haven't tried Libreoffice)
I will never understand what's purpose of using the simple software which have similar opensource alternative ? Opensource softwares can vastly decrease the investment cost in software/OS etc.etc. No license renewing BS!

Kaustubh Katdare
Linux folks love OpenOffice; but I could never spend more than 5 minutes on it.
Try Libreoffice then ? It's same as MSOffice. bit-to-bit.
No wonder why all Linux Distros moved to Libreoffice from Openoffice.
<a href="https://www.libreoffice.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Home | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft</a>

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Anoop Kumar

Member • Jul 26, 2013
One click online collaboration is future.
MS Office have to implement it
Google docs is already in this but to beat features of MS office.
From Larry Page perspective, software giants should work with each other to make software world better.
MS is taking care of offline docs and data and Google is taking care of online (Are they taking care or #-Link-Snipped-# 😨😨).

Anyway I am using both of them in past 4-5 years and MS rocks in offline and office uses while Google docs is being awesome in online collaboration.
Few things I have tried with Google docs:
- While B.Tech. we manage our flat account with Google Sheet. If anyone lived with flat partner they know how much headache this was. We were 5 guys in one flat.
- Mails, task and calender (Don't forget sms alert), easy to configure to remember b'days and bill payment.
- Make notes throw in drive or use Google Keep.
- I am still using for planning trips with friends.
- Fully transparent, every revision is saved automatically.👍
I have used Libre Office3 two years back but didn't liked it. New improvement in 4.1 seems promising and 100 plus point with Libre office or any open source they can't steal your data ☕.
Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Anand Tamariya

Member • Jul 26, 2013

This is one area where the early players have a definite advantage - simply because by the time world woke up to the concept of vendor lock-in, they were deep into it. Now you might not like MS or prefer the easing of online editing, but when you are a corporate it's not your preference alone that matters. It matters more what the ecosystem adopts.

So you might have designed a flashy proposal in your favorite editor (libre office, Gdocs etc.), but before sending it the prospective client (or even govt. offices), you'd like to open and view it in MS office - because that's the only thing you could be sure that the client is using. And for that purpose alone, you'd have to keep paying MS. So far so, many RFPs would mention specifically that the response be submitted in MS Document format (doc or xls).

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Anoop Mathew

Member • Jul 27, 2013

Like Anand said, ultimately it comes to Microsoft Word itself!

What is the best office tool you could use for Android smartphones? - and it should be offline and should be able to save in .doc format.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Ashraf HZ

Member • Jul 27, 2013

Sorta going a bit off tangent from the title topic, but anyway, LibreOffice is nice software. I've used OpenOffice on and off since 2006 and the resulting LibreOffice fork, hoping to be less dependent on MS Office. For basic office work and word processing, it works just fine. But I feel it still has a way to go for to use in the business world that need specialized functions.

The one big plus for MS Excel over LibreOffice Calc is Pivot Charts. This is an absolute must if you have thousands of data points that you need to analyze and present. For example, for daily/weekly performance statistics of the network and after upgrades, you need to quickly present performance trends vs time. If you have like dozens of parameters to present, you'd probably go insane if you don't have a tool like Pivot Charts.

As others pointed out, compatibility and reliance of doc/xls formats from others is an obstacle. Unless there is a large initiative to switch to LibreOffice en-masse, the uptake will be slow. e.g Government led.

When sending out documents for Ummatech purposes, we usually send two versions- doc & pdf.

Regarding Google Docs, well, can't really compare. Useful for basic stuff and online collaborative efforts, but not for general office productivity. I feel its more of a complement than a potential replacement.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Abhishek Rawal

Member • Jul 27, 2013

ash
The one big plus for MS Excel over LibreOffice Calc is Pivot Charts. This is an absolute must if you have thousands of data points that you need to analyze and present. For example, for daily/weekly performance statistics of the network and after upgrades, you need to quickly present performance trends vs time. If you have like dozens of parameters to present, you'd probably go insane if you don't have a tool like Pivot Charts.
Libre Calc -> Data -> Pivot Table.

You can save the document in Libreoffice in Windows compatible version also.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Ashraf HZ

Member • Jul 27, 2013

Abhishek Rawal
Libre Calc -> Data -> Pivot Table.

You can save the document in Libreoffice in Windows compatible version also.
Yes, I've tried that out, but it does not have an option for dynamic charting, hence Pivot Chart. When you have to generate many reports in a short time, you need to get out these charts out quick after you have changed the variables and analyzed the trends.

😔

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Anoop Mathew

Member • Jul 27, 2013

ash
Sorta going a bit off tangent from the title topic, but anyway, LibreOffice is nice software. I've used OpenOffice on and off since 2006 and the resulting LibreOffice fork, hoping to be less dependent on MS Office. For basic office work and word processing, it works just fine. But I feel it still has a way to go for to use in the business world that need specialized functions.

The one big plus for MS Excel over LibreOffice Calc is Pivot Charts. This is an absolute must if you have thousands of data points that you need to analyze and present. For example, for daily/weekly performance statistics of the network and after upgrades, you need to quickly present performance trends vs time. If you have like dozens of parameters to present, you'd probably go insane if you don't have a tool like Pivot Charts.

As others pointed out, compatibility and reliance of doc/xls formats from others is an obstacle. Unless there is a large initiative to switch to LibreOffice en-masse, the uptake will be slow. e.g Government led.

When sending out documents for Ummatech purposes, we usually send two versions- doc & pdf.

Regarding Google Docs, well, can't really compare. Useful for basic stuff and online collaborative efforts, but not for general office productivity. I feel its more of a complement than a potential replacement.
Well Excel power is really felt everywhere and it's one hell of a tool. The pivot table is a huge advantage for network analysts and telecom operation centres.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
mail154

Member • Jul 27, 2013

Abhishek Rawal
Libreoffice is way better than MS Office, because it is free. I won't spend 5K for the same product with MS prefix.
I have listened everyone praising MS Office, but I haven't found a bit difference between LibreOffice & MSOffice.(Maybe most people haven't tried Libreoffice)
I will never understand what's purpose of using the simple software which have similar opensource alternative ? Opensource softwares can vastly decrease the investment cost in software/OS etc.etc. No license renewing BS!

Try Libreoffice then ? It's same as MSOffice. bit-to-bit.
No wonder why all Linux Distros moved to Libreoffice from Openoffice.
<a href="https://www.libreoffice.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Home | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft</a>

i am a windows user i love libreoffice. its just differs with name with ms office. but i still stick to openoffice which is very simple to me. its just like a ms-office 2003 or a 2000.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Harshad Italiya

Member • Jul 28, 2013

I second #-Link-Snipped-# for LibreOffice I am using it from last one year and I am Happy with that.

LibreOffice 👍

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
simplycoder

Member • Jul 28, 2013

Just downloaded LibreOffice, and don't find a reason to switch to MSOffice.
When I need to keep my document online, I do use Google Docs though.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel