RSSGoogle tries to make its spreadsheets more like wikis
By Michael Hatamoto and Nate Mook | Published May 16, 2008, 7:22 PM
In a strange move, Google has added a new feature to Google Docs that enables users to allow anyone to edit a spreadsheet, advertising the option as a way to make a spreadsheet like a wiki.
Previously, individuals could be invited to view or edit a spreadsheet, but they had to create an account with Google after entering a custom URL that effectively served as a security-through-obscurity barrier.
Google Spreadsheets users simply need to know the URL of the document to be edited. Simply loading that URL provides full access to edit and add content as if they were logged into Google Docs. For now, the feature remains only for spreadsheets and not written documents or presentations.
Those with security concerns simply must ensure the "Anyone can edit this document without logging in" button is not checked. By default, the option is disabled.
What's not entirely clear from Google's announcement, however, is why anyone would want to turn the option on. While publicly editable wikis are commonplace around the Web, spreadsheets aren't typically the type of document that necessitates such open collaboration. The feature isn't yet part of Google's online word processor, which was actually developed by another company that Google acquired.
Google's example spreadsheet comparing productivity services and software was quickly defaced by the public. Under "Most Annoying Feature" of Google Docs, someone added "Offline use doesn't work."
Google added offline editing capabilities to Docs recently with the help of its Google Gears software, but users have had problems making it work properly. The document is downloaded for local editing and then synced back to the service, but changes are not tracked for approval or disapproval.
Separately, Google also this week added the ability to embed forms into a Web site and pass the result back to a spreadsheet.
Another recent addition is the option to save Google Docs presentations as PowerPoint (PPT) files, which joins saving documents as text and PDF files. Mobile viewing on cell phones is now also possible by visiting docs.google.com/m.
Actually, this is quite useful.
I know in World of Warcraft there's tons of 'theory crafting' that goes on, where there are complex formulas for everything from how much damage you do, to how one piece of armor (or a weapon) is better than another, even though the statistics are different.
In the past, you downloaded someone elses spreadsheet, and if you had improvements, you'd have to update it and upload, and then before long you have 20 different versions.
There are, I imagine, other online discussion topics that would benefit from pivot tables, calculations, etc.
I think it's a pretty good idea, tbh.
-Strack
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|If you're motivated you can type in the url from the image, it works.
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|well it will be used by at least one phisher for storing credit card numbers of their victims So they can just swoop by and pick them up or sell off the url to the spread sheet.
I am sure that someone can come up with a use that does not involve fraud.
But that is the distributed data gathering that I see today.
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|Umm... what's so strange about collaborating on a spreadsheet. This was one feature that was missing that led me to decide against using Google apps. Right now the implementation is still behind the dedicated collaborative spreadsheet offerings, or other "suites" such as the one from Zoho.
Seriously, can no one think of a legitimate use for a wiki that allows you to manipulate the data like a spreadsheet? (yes, basically used as a simple light-weight database)
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|And what's so original about it again? Let's make DOC files shared too. Will that make the news as well?
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|Strange feature indeed for a spreadsheet, however, I have a feeling that it will all make sense in the near future; as Google is usually taking a holistic approach in designing those feature, it is probably part of a bigger future puzzle.
The feature might be related to Google Apps where the spreadsheet can be edited by anyone in the the same team for example without logging in.
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