Google+Docs

Google Docs & Spreadsheets combines two programs, spreadsheets and word-processing, into one very easy to use collaborative tool. The two programs are still separate, however, they are accessed from the same place, [|docs.google.com].
 * Overview**

The program is free.
 * Cost**

//Creating Documents// If you can use Word or Word Perfect, you can use Google Docs - Documents. The program seems very intuitive to me, with options easily accessible from the main screen. You can also choose to upload existing files from other locations.
 * Ease** **of** **Use**

//Creating Spreadsheets// Again, if you can use Excel or Lotus 1-2-3, Google Docs - Spreadsheets will seem very familiar. It was not as intuitive as the Documents program for me, but I was able to find everything that I wanted to try. As in Excel, you have a variety of formulas from which you may choose. You also have the ability to link from one sheet to another. I had no luck trying to create a formula to link one spreadsheet to another outside of the current file.

//Managing Files// You can find and retrieve files that you have created very easily. The list also shows how long it's been since the file was edited and by whom. Exporting the documents to another format is extremely easy to do as well. The test document that I created, with lots of formatting options, saved to Word exactly as it appeared in Google Docs.

//Searching Files// Another very cool tool available is the "Search Docs & Spreadsheets" link. It functions as most searches do, but it searches all files on your page.

//Saving Documents// When you save a document, it is saved with the first line of text as the file name. You can choose to rename it, but that's an extra step.

//Saving Spreadsheets// When you save a spreadsheet, you are given the opportunity to create a name for the file as you are saving it.

//Documents// All standard word processing features are available, such as cut/copy/paste, text formatting, bulleted and numbered lists.
 * Features**

//Spreadsheets// All standard spreadsheet features are available, including built-in formulas, sorting features, and standard text editing options.

//Collaboration// The collaboration tools make sharing these files extremely easy. You can choose to chat about the file, invite others to view and edit the file, or publish the file on the internet for anyone to view. When you invite others to view and edit the file, you can send them an email with the address of the file or they can view it simply by logging into their Google account. This would be hugely convenient for people with offices in different cities and states or even locations around the world.

//Server Space// Documents can be up to 500K, and images under 2MB can be inserted. You can have up to 1,000 documents and 1,000 images. You are limited to 200 spreadsheets, with these parameters: Spreadsheets can be 10,000 rows, or up to 256 columns, or up to 50,000 cells, or up to 20 sheets. There are some limitations to these programs:
 * Limitations**
 * Font choices not as extensive as Word.
 * Style choices are not as extensive as Word.
 * Only one numbered list format.
 * Only one bulleted list format.
 * There is no chart option in the spreadsheet program.
 * Email addresses of previous collaborators are not stored; you have copy/paste each separately.
 * Collaborators need a google.docs account to collaborate. Accounts are associated with email addresses, so if your collaborator has a google.docs account already, you'll need to know what email address they've associated with it.

Initially, I was concerned that this program would not be secure or that files would be lost from a server not under my control. However, I received this comment from a user "I've been using it for over a year, and haven't had a server availability problem. Having access to docs from any computer = availability. To me. It's as secure as anything on the web that's password protected. It's also secure in that unless you're an extremely important person, no one really cares about your stuff. Really. One security measure I take is googling my various web identities every now and then."
 * Concerns**

Check out this [|sample document] to see some of the features for yourself!
 * Sample Document**