Switching to Web. What Utilities do you recommend?

[Ifaistos]

It's been a long time since the first time I thought about it.
Right now I think that the web is ready and more importantly I am ready.

I am thinking of switching from using applications locally to using applications in the WEB. So far I have been using Outlook at first and now Thunderbird, and other local software to see e-mail, make appointments, handle my CRM, browse and store pictures and others stuff.

I think it's now time to switch to doing that on the web. The main advantage being that I can have my office wherever I go, and most importantly every time that I need to reinstall, I don't have to loose information, or go through backing up and reinstalling, and reprogramming rules for e-mail, backing up bookmarks and so on.

What I would like from you guys is your opinion about this switch.

Do you think it is really worth it?
Is there something that I neglected thinking that might stop me from doing that?
What are the utilities that you would recommend and that you are currently using?
What would you change if you were to start over?

Thank you all in advance

Only utility that I am almost pretty sure about, is the Sugar CRM which I have setup on one of my web servers.

[jaketerminate]

Do you think it is really worth it?

If your looking to save hard drive space and money (Most web apps are free) then make the switch. Personnally I dont think its worth it right now considering the fact that there is a limit to having a server keep your files organized and if maitenence is being done and the servers down theres no way you can access them until it is fixed. Its the accesibility im worried about.

Is there something that I neglected thinking that might stop me from doing that?

Explained above.

What are the utilities that you would recommend and that you are currently using?

Of course Google has its suite of office web apps (Google Docs) that I use every once and a while. This brings us back to the question "Do you think its really worth it?". Google Docs has many features that I like. You can store documents you create on their server allowing you to access them anywhere you get a connection and if you please you can publish them for everyone to see (Or selected others). I also like Desktoptwo, Desktop Two is sort of a Web OS that you should check out if your thinking of totally switching.

What would you change if you were to start over?

Depends on what you mean. If you have an up to date PC and dont need the extra speed and money then I would wait a little bit before switching.

[S.SubZero]

I recently got IMAP access to my email cut off (according to the server admins it was never supposed to be there) and I'm annoyed. Not much I can do since it's a free account, but their webmail interface is kind of ugly and I don't like it.

In the case of keeping apps available wherever I go, I'd rather use something like PortableApps and have my apps and files on a USB key. This also removes the reliance on an internet connection.

[Ifaistos]

Thank you both :-)

Really interesting observations and links.

Keep them coming guys...
Thanks

[S.SubZero]

Originally Posted by Ifaistos

Keep them coming guys...
Thanks

If you can't use Google, you're not ready for web apps.