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Google Acquires Quickoffice

googleblog.blogspot.com

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Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#31

Post by Splines »

tonfa wrote: post #4
Toshio wrote: post #2

This is good news. The backend for Google Docs right now is a patchy patchwork mess that was originally based on OpenOffice (many many years ago). Replacing that backend with Quickoffice is going to make Google Docs a force to be reckoned with. Can't wait.

> The backend for Google Docs right now is a patchy patchwork mess that was originally based on OpenOffice (many many years ago). Any reason to believe this is still the case?

User enjo could probably tell you.

Although I know nothing of how OpenOffice (or Google Docs) is written, I doubt it. I have been involved with the Word Viewer & Editor component in SharePoint. The requirements of a UI-driven desktop application don't tend to mesh well with a web-based editor.

Maybe they did make it work, but wouldn't Google need to publish those changes?

Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#32

Post by rogerbinns »

There is one big problem with QuickOffice which I hope Google fixes. The minor one is that they ignore the Android AccountManager and ask for credentials directly. Once they have an access token, it is sent to one of their servers which accesses the document and does any necessary conversions.

Or in other words any cracker who can break into their servers can copy the access tokens and use those to access documents, Google, Dropbox etc. I would be astonished if QuickOffice is the first company in history to have perfectly secured servers. Also note that if this happened you'd be extremely unlikely to find out.

QuickOffice do not disclose this behaviour - it was only when I started a back and forth with their customer service over AccountManager that they mentioned it.

Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#33

Post by tilarids »

enjo wrote: post #18

I'm incredibly excited for the guys at Quickoffice! Its really interesting, I still feel like Quickoffice is my baby (I was the lead architect from 2002-2008). It's actually kind of bittersweet to see the whole thing grown up and headed off to Google. My first startup experience was working in a closet (literally) on the Palm version of Quicksheet as the second development hire. Over the next 6 years we were bought a…

I am still amazed of what was done before the full specs were released. We're still struggling with file formats from time to time.

P.S. I joined Quickoffice in 2009. Pleased to meet someone who was at the very beginning of it

Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#35

Post by enjo »

tilarids wrote: post #33
enjo wrote: post #18

I'm incredibly excited for the guys at Quickoffice! Its really interesting, I still feel like Quickoffice is my baby (I was the lead architect from 2002-2008). It's actually kind of bittersweet to see the whole thing grown up and headed off to Google. My first startup experience was working in a closet (literally) on the Palm version of Quicksheet as the second development hire. Over the next 6 years we were bought a…

I am still amazed of what was done before the full specs were released. We're still struggling with file formats from time to time. P.S. I joined Quickoffice in 2009. Pleased to meet someone who was at the very beginning of it

I really need to meet the new folks:) You guys did a great job!

Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#36

Post by TillE »

stewbrew wrote: post #34

OT when did blogspot begin to suck that much? with javascript disabled, I get an empty page. With javascript enabled, I see a stupid animation while I have to wait for something to finish.

Pretty recently, I think. Just following in the footsteps of Twitter and Facebook, I suppose, using fancy technology to produce a slower, more annoying user experience.

Re: Google Acquires Quickoffice

#38

Post by rst »

stewbrew wrote: post #34

OT when did blogspot begin to suck that much? with javascript disabled, I get an empty page. With javascript enabled, I see a stupid animation while I have to wait for something to finish.

It's not blogger itself, but blogs with certain new formatting templates. (Which don't seem to do much obvious for the reader, other than display those silly spinning gears if the browser isn't up to snuff or has some kind of NoScript plugin enabled.)
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