Dec 6, 2009

Google Wave Update

Colin posted about Google Wave earlier this semester, but recently Google made a change to help the collaboration site better. In an article in ITNews, Google announced that it purchased AppJet which makes the EtherPad, a real-time workgroup collaboration application. EtherPad is described as a "Web-based word processor that allows people to work together in really real-time".

EtherPad:


Unfortunately, current EtherPad customers are upset because they don't believe Google Wave will be as good as EtherPad. Customers who have the "professional" edition will be able to export their files into zip files and if they are using a "starter" edition they can export into various formats. The web based application will only be operating until March of 2010. Because of this you can no longer create EtherPad accounts with AppJet.

I think this is a smart move for Google. Their Wave has not been completely released, so it makes sense to acquire a company that has the online collaboration already figured out. Hopefully they can create an online word processing application for Google that will function the same way as EtherPad.
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5 comments:

  1. MartenDecember 7, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    try http://www.showdocument.com
    a good app for online collaboration in a free, web based platform. - josh

    ReplyDelete
  2. ColinDecember 7, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Michelle,

    Thanks for following up with some info on Wave. I have been using the sandbox and the performance has been a bit lackluster. My main interest in Wave was in the API and programs you could build off of it. I am not thoroughly impressed with the chat/email function. The translation example they provided is way more interesting!

    I am curious to see how they will incorporate EtherPad into Wave, or if they simply bought out EtherPad to eliminate some competition . . .

    ReplyDelete
  3. jassin_issaDecember 7, 2009 at 11:43 PM

    Hey Michelle, thanks for the good post. A have a small update. The former CEO announced on saturday that they re-enabled to start new Pads [http://etherpad.com/ep/blog/posts/etherpad-back-online-until-open-sourced]! I think I must try that soon. Who likes to collaborate? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. James AltmannDecember 8, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    Michelle,

    Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on Google Wave. I can see the usefulness of an online collaboration software as telecommuting market grows.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michelle KahlerDecember 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Thanks for the update Jassin and Colin, from the articles I read it seemed like their original plan was to just get rid of the EtherPad and just use the technology. I am not sure if I am correct on that though.

    ReplyDelete

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