Alternative software

One of the key things I have been able to discover as a result of this semester's work in COMP1900 has been the broad range of alternative software packages to complete tasks that I would ordinarily not have given a second thought to. At the very least, this exposure means that I have more choice available to me to complete uni tasks and means there is less learning curve for me if I intend to use these tools.

The first week of the course presented the concept of alternative software in terms of the very well known battle between operating systems. Microsoft Windows is the most used operating system used by computer users around the world, however its main rival in Apple Macintosh is known to most computer users and has a loyal following, particularly in creative industries where the operating system is used almost exclusively. When attention turned to the internet in Week 2, again it was already known to most in the course the vanguard nature of Microsoft in the 'browser wars' over many years and the rise of Mozilla Firefox as the most serious threat to Internet Explorer dominance since the rise and fall of Netscape.

While these examples of alternative software were reasonably well-known to most, it was the introduction throughout the course of competitors to Microsoft Office that was the most enlightening. In week 4 we were introduced to alternatives to Microsoft Word, and this formed the basis of our first assignment, where were were tasked to compare a number of free word processors and compare them to Word, the industry-standard. Through this task we were exposed to the first time to Google Docs - a free word processor, spreadsheeting and presentation-creation programs are available free online, with the potential to facilitate easier collaboration than has previously been possible. This was then reinforced by separate lectures on spreadsheeting and presentation design in weeks 7 and 10 respectively.

Since the vast majority of computer users are connected to the internet, with a majority of those connected by broadband connection, it is no surprise that Google foresaw the opportunity afforded by web-based utilities, leading to their 2006 acquisition of IT startup firm Upstartle and their technology to form the core of the Google Docs engine.

In assignment 2 this semester, Google Docs was used by my group to enable group collaboration. I do not believe that I will get a great deal of use out of this platform in the future and remain a big fan of Microsoft Office. I do believe, however, that creators of alternative operating systems, web browsers and productivity tools provide choice for consumers and enhance innovation by all developers.