I was very pleased to find today a post at Read/WriteWeb about the state of the Web Office today. I was a bit disappointed that Richard did not include OpenGoo or my name, since I am the author of the Wikipedia quote he makes, author of the part he uses for his critique, quoted him at Wikipedia and my blog, and asked him to join the discussion a long time ago. But Richard is an intelligent, prolific and surely very busy author whom I enjoy so much that I am forgiving him anyway. Plus, RWW Web Office week is not over yet, so OpenGoo might still get a mention.

Plus, this is a recognition to our work nonetheless. Our business and work is based in Uruguay, but lately we are starting to get noticed around the world. I am currently visiting the Silicon Valley seeking support for our work, and so far the recognition and help has exceeded my highest expectations. So this post is one more encouraging sign.

At OpenGoo we are basing our work on activeCollab (Basecamp’s Open Source “imitation”). As software architects we found Basecamp (or activecollab for that matter), to be an excellent platform for the Web Office because, as Richard states on his article, one of the Web Office main advantages is the collaboration. But it is not only us that find that to be the case. 37Signals figured it out too, thus producing Highrise, a CRM system, using the same platform they use for their Basecamp software.

CRM in particular is something you would desire to have very well integrated to your web office system. I, for one, would like to get a business card (or however I get my contact’s info), write it down only once, and have him integrated in “my system” to do whatever I want. That means tagging, calling, mailing, researching, following leads, etc.

That is also what Facebook apps developers have found out too. As the Web Office evolves, more and more “specialists” products and features like CRM, ERP, Accounting and the likes, will make it into the Web Office. How do I know? Easy, I’ll do it (if I don’t die too soon).

FAQ section

I will answer some of the questions Richard (or other readers) have posted all over concerning the Web Office.

Q - Why does the Web Office need to be Browser-based?
A - Because that is the only common app (or “greatest common factor” how me geek tells it) all your devices will share. That is the only way you can get any device (even your friend’s phone), just log-in, and have access to all your information.

Q - But we can only work connected, right?
A - No, that is much of the work Google, Mozilla, Adobe, Sun, and a whole bunch of wiz kids (even at Microsoft) are doing right now. In the very near future you will have whatever information you accessed or produced with your device cached in your system. That is as good as it can get, and a desktop Office doesn’t beat that.

Q - Ok, but what about security? Is a login name and password good enough?
A - Security can be as good as you want it. If you use your second name as a password, and all your co-workers know about it, then your desktop system isn’t that secure, is it? The Web Office access could and should be encrypted. Ask your sysadmin to cover the issue.

Q - Yeah, like I trust my sysadmin…
A - First, that is not a question. Second, you should trust him, or fire him. What most companies do not trust is third parties. Thus, the slow adoption of the Web 2.0 Web Office. Google wants to have your information on its servers. That is the difference with OpenGoo.

Q - But do I have all of Microsoft Office functionality?
A - Yes, and no. You should have all the functions you need, and have a shorter menu of options so you are more productive. If you eventually need something you cannot find, ask the poor sysadmin you hate so much, as you always do anyway.