With the birth of Web 2.0 it seems many common applications are being taken over by “open source” or “web based” varieties. Two Microsoft offerings are at the top of the pile: Internet Explorer and the Office suite. The contenders that I’d like to name are Google Docs and Firefox.

Google Docs is a broswer based “office suite” containing spreadsheet program and word-processor. To give Microsoft (MS) its due; these programs are very basic but when it comes to basic word processing (which is what I do) and simple data management, they shine. That’s what they are intended for -word-processing and general spreadsheet duties. Currently, Google Docs is a free service. Not sure how many people use Docs worldwide.

Firefox, on the other hand, has taken over big time. The market share as at April 18 2007 and according to XiTI Monitor, are: 15.1% USA, 24.1% Europe and 24% in Oceania. Firefox is different and cool because of it’s power, it’s add-ons and, because it’s “open source” you can change the programming to suit. I love the tab browsing capablities of Firefox.

Pajago