Enter the Matrix -or- “Living in the Google World” for 7 Days

NO PICTURE TODAY: READ BELOW TO HEAR THE REASONS WHY

Having written so much about Google’s Chrome browser, how it fits together with Gears, Android, Google Apps, and more, I decided it was time to try to totally “Living in the Google World” for a week.

By “Living in the Google World”, I mean that I’ll only use Chrome as my browser and only use online web apps (Google is the first preference) instead of desktop apps.

Beyond giving a great experience of the reality of current web apps, I think it will also open up some insights on the future of the web, applications and software in similar way to how being one of the first to get broadband access at home opened up my eyes to the real potential of the web back in 1998.

Sound tough? We’ll see. You get to watch it as it unfolds day by day.

I’ll list all the apps I run in Chrome and whatever else comes up.

For those who still have questions, here are the detailed rules:

1. All the work I normally do with desktop apps must be done with online apps, giving preferential treatment to the Google suite of products.
2. If there’s a critical desktop app I need that I can’t find an online equivalent to, I go without.
3. If it comes down to an emergency or a situation of “There’s no way I can’t skip doing this work”, I’ll make a note, get the work done and promise to share all the notes at the end of day 7.
4. There will be times where I need to upload/convert work in progress to be usable by the web application. If no online “import” software is available, I’ll revert to using the desktop software just until I get the work online.
5. Where possible, I won’t even use my hard drive as a temporary storage space. If I can’t find the proper online accessible storage, I’ll use a 32 meg memory key as a temporary holding space until I find one or 7 days are over.

One request, if you have a favorite Google app that is ultra useful for you or another web app that you find indispensible, please to post it as a comment. I think I’m going to need all the help I can get.

PS – No picture today because I’m still starting up by finding the right webapps for image editing.

The 1, 2, 3 Punch of Chrome, Gears and Android

We’ve talked about making it easier to develop fast Javascript web apps for Chrome by using Google’s Web Toolkit.

Let’s talk about the magic 1, 2, 3, punch of Chrome, Google Gears and Android.

The combo of these 3 offerings create an “all in one online/offline” application environment.

I pick up my device, and open a window (Chrome) and run the same set of applications whether I’m online or offline.

No more worrying about synchronizing my data. Chrome and Gears will make that easy fro me.

With the “first to deliver” advantage here, Google’s going to be hard for Microsoft to catch on this front.

How long do you think it will be before some develops a micro laptop with Android as the OS?

Google Chrome Browser and 61 more gifts from Google

Google Chrome and the other apps, services and “things” Google gives away for free are like money in your bank account.

Some people don’t realize this because they confuse the word “free” with the words “no cost” or “no value’.

The phrase “A penny saved is a penny earned” clarifies that issue.

Here’s a quick list of things Google has given away free or charged a reasonable price to deliver. The list is incomplete. If your favorite is not listed, add it in a comment.

Display environment for your web app: Chrome

Platform/Server to run your web apps: Google app engine/Google’s cloud

Faster/easier app development: Google Web Toolkit

Add social network features to your application/web page: Friend Connect

Add functionality to your application/web page: Gadgets

Leverage your development efforts: Open Social

Run your web apps like they are desktop apps: Gears

Desktop like startup page: iGoogle

Tools for daily use:

1. Google Search
2. Google Apps
3. YouTube
4. Google Docs Template Gallery
5. Google Groups
6. Gmail
7. Google Chat
8. Lively
9. Picasa
10. Google Calendar
11. Google Reader
12. Google Maps/Google Earth/Street View
13. Knol expert articles
14. Google News
15. Google Finance
16. Google Desktop
17. Google Gadgets
18. Google SketchUp
19. Google Video
20. Google Health
21. Google Sites
22. Google Translation
23. Blogger

Business Related Apps

1. Google Apps Premier Edition
2. Salesforce for Google Apps
3. Google Video for Business
4. Google Search Appliance enterprise search solution
5. Google Site Search
6. Google Webmaster Tools
7. Google Analytics
8. Google Website Optimizer
9. Google Trends

Tools for promoting your business and generating revenue

1. Adwords
2. Adsense
3. TV/Radio Ads

Mobile Platform

1. Android
2. Chrome and all other Google Apps

Developer Education

1. Google Developer Days
2. Campfires
3. Google I/O
4. Scholarships
5. Computer Science Summer Institute
6. Open Source and API development

Initiatives

1. Cloud computing
2. Open standards and open source
3. Google Grants
4. Initiative to Scan Public Domain books
5. Wireless Satellite
6. High Speed Connectivity
7. Renewable Energy
8. Virgle  (human settlement on Mars)
9. Google for Non-profits
10. (Too many more to mention)

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