In part one of my Integration of Information and Computer Technology in the Classroom course, I compared the two processing applications, Open Office and Google Drive. Both are easy to use and easily accessible by any user. The major advantage to Google Drive, over Open Office was the fact that Drive is completely online, allowing for documents to be shared easily. Furthermore, documents can be worked on collaboratively by several parties, and the Drive also gives users access to multiple applications offered on the google network.
Another information processing program that has been around for years is Microsoft Office. The office program has been used for years, to create documents, spreadsheets, notes, and slideshow presentations. To compete with Google Drive, Microsoft Office is now available for online use, free to any user at Office.com. Documents, Spreadsheets, and Powerpoint presentations can now be created online, using several of the same features that the original Microsoft Office utilizes.
Users can simply click on a tile on the main page, to access one of the program applications. If a user already has a hotmail, outlook, or xbox 1 account, they already have access to the programs. All work is completed online, and is saved in Microsoft's One Drive account, so documents can be accessed from any computer at any time. Like Google Docs, users can share documents with others, and work collaboratively on them at the same time. Links can be shared, the program has a lot of templates available, and another handy feature of the program is if you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, you can access the desktop version, which gives a user more features to access. Even though you may have switched to using the desktop version, the document continues to be saved online in the One Drive account... a very useful ability.
I find that Office Online is very comparable to the Google Drive in terms of the collaborative aspect, as well as the online accessing feature. The connection between Office Online and the desktop version, is an extremely useful tool for added program features, which is one aspect that Google Drive does not have. However, I still find Google Drive useful, due to its connection to multiple applications accessible within the Google Network. Office Online only provides connections to email, calendar, and contact information. For a user to determine which would be more useful, it would mostly lie in the needs of the user, access to more program features (Office Online), or access to other social networking applications (Google Drive).
Tim, like you, I am dabbling in Office online and cloud tools, although I am a pretty loyal Google drive user. I like the ease of use of Google Drive and the connections to other tools. My board is also using Office 365, so there is benefit to understand an learn both. I think that people would benefit from reading your post.
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