Google Docs Start Going "Offline"

What's one of the biggest nits with Google Docs? For many, it's the same thing that also allows collaboration and access to files anywhere: the online nature of it. That's going to start disappearing soon, however, as Google announced on Monday it is going to roll out (in their typical gradual manner) an "offline" mode to Google Docs users. The new feature will be using their Open Source Google Gears browser plug-in, which is already used by Google Reader and RememberTheMilk.com.

With offline functionality Microsoft probably ought to start "quaking" in its boots a little. For many people the functionality offered by Google Docs is good enough, though obviously many corporations require the more advanced features provided by the full Microsoft Office Suite. Additionally, there are add-ins for Office that provide special features, such as the ability to format scripts and PsyD theses in the "proper" manner; these add-ins simply don't exist outside of Office.

Also, a few of caveats: it's only available in English for now, it's only available for word processing documents for now, and it's only available for already created documents - once again "for now."

In their blog post describing the feature, Google says:

As long as I have an Internet connection, every change I make is saved to the cloud. When I lose my connection, I sacrifice some features, but I can still access my documents (for this initial release, you can view and edit word processing documents; right now we don't support offline access to presentations or spreadsheets - see our help center for details). Everything I need is saved locally. And I do everything through my web browser, even when I'm offline (the goodness that Google Gears provides). When my connection comes back, my documents sync up again with the server.

Pretty nifty. Niftier still when they get document creation and spreadsheet and presentations added. Don't forget, though: all bets are off collaboration-wise. Once reconnected, the software will do its best to reconcile and conflict, but there's no guarantee it'll get it all right. Knowing Google, though, it'll likely be close.