Do Microsoft users want cheap Office or Web-based Office?
Would some of the folks clamoring for Microsoft to release a completely Web-based version of its Office suite be just as happy if Microsoft released a stripped-down Office that was really cheap, or maybe even free and advertising-supported?
I think they would. I am an Office user. I don't have a need for a Web-based version of Office, as I only create, edit and manipulate my Office documents on my laptop. I don't want or need to log into Office from some other computer somewhere else. I seldom need or want to collaborate with others on documents. I believe I am not alone.
It doesn't bother me that Microsoft is not going to release a Web-based Office suite in the next 12 to 18 months (or longer). Microsoft execs have maintained that they are not hearing from a large number of its customers that they want a Microsoft- and/or partner-hosted Office.
(If you want one more denial regarding any imminent plans for a Web-based Microsoft Office, here's what Guy Gilbert, a senior product manager for Microsoft, told me on March 3: "It's hard to say what we will do in a year or year and a half. Nothing is completly off the table." But near-term plans for a Web-based Office? There are none, Gilbert said.)
Microsoft execs have maintained if they were receiving overwhelming demand for a Web-based Office, they'd rethink their reticence. They seldom mention that Microsoft also is opposed to releasing a Web-based version of Office because the company makes a lot of money selling the Office suite as it is. Online document creation and collaboration, for those who want it, is now available via Office Live Workspace, a public beta of which Microsoft launched on March 4.
The public beta of Office Live Workspace is English-only but open to anyone in any country. It includes a few new features that weren't in the private beta of Office Live Workspace launched late last year, including a new activity pane and e-mail notifications.
Pundits and a contingent of users continue to claim that Microsoft will be toast if it doesn't release a version of Office that is just like Google Docs. Students will revolt! Business customers (who often tell me that they aren't anywhere near ready to put their apps/data online, for a variety of reliability, privacy and other reasons) will mutiny! Me? I think Microsoft would be fine if it can find a way to release a stripped-down subset of Office that is really cheap (cheaper than the $100+ Home & student Edition) or free.
What's your take? Is there a real reason Microsoft should rush to deliver a Web-based version of Office? Who would be the core user base, beyond students and users in developing nations who have a way to connect to the Web?