What is Microsoft's answer to Google Apps?

[Core]

Post your Google-related conspiracy theories here

I have been using Google Apps Standard for almost a year now, and have been relatively happy with it. I started using it because I wanted
- to easily administer several email accounts on my own domain,
- to access said email accounts via web or a desktop client,
- to manage contact lists and calendars tied to the email accounts via both web browser and a desktop client (2-way sync)
- to have automatic SMS alerts for items on my calendar

and not to have to pay for these services.

Google Apps has been otherwise great, but falls absolutely short in the Outlook integration department. Their pricey Premier version of Apps supposedly offers Outlook synchronization for their calendar, but the free one doesn't. There are ways to get a one-way sync with the Standard version of Apps, but that doesn't cut it.

While accessing email and calendars with a web browser is quite handy on the random occasion or while on vacation, I really don't like it as a daily solution. There's still a place in my heart for a proper desktop solution, such as Outlook.

I have come across some blogs mentioning Windows Live Custom Domains, or Office Live or something to that effect. But searching for comparisons, I am left a bit confused. Most articles I've seen date back a good 3 or 4 years. If Microsoft can match Google Apps' services, I might be willing to move, but I can't seem to find a decent comparison. I want to know what I'm getting into beforehand.

Anyone here have any experience regarding these services, and how they differ from one another?

 

[Ian]

Google Apps does SMS alerts? Now that would be handy...

There's a little comparison of the Office web apps on this page:
http://www.winsupersite.com/office/o2010_owa.asp

These links also provide a bit of a wider comparison:

http://features.techworld.com/appli...oft-office-vs-google-apps-the-business-brawl/

http://www.informationweek.com/news/infrastructure/reviews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193003850

I've not tried Office Live much, but I do use Google Docs on occasion if working on something collaborative.

 

[Core]

Yes, Google Apps' Calendar can be set to automatically send SMS alerts for any scheduled events. It's very handy...

I've been using Live Mail & Calendar with Outlook for a week now. The only reason I wanted to switch was because I don't like using a web interface for email, I much prefer something like Outlook or Thunderbird; unfortunately Google is dragging its feet providing a proper two-way sync for its calendar, and its sync abilities with Outlook had a lot to be desired.

So I bit the bullet and moved to Windows Live Custom Domains. I have been very, very happy with it so far. Outlook synchronizes perfectly with both my Live Mail account and the Live Calendar. SMS alerts are supported here, too, so I'm not missing Google much.

 

[Nibiru2012]

I stay away from any application that has Google's name attached to it!

Just don't like their approach to things. That's my humble opinion.

 

[catilley1092]

I'll second that opinion. Anything with Google's name on it hits the trash can. Bing and Windows Live are just as good, if not better. I've been using Windows Live services for nearly a year now, with no complaints.

 

[Core]

Sometimes reading this forum is like watching Fox News.

 

[ertyui]

Sometimes reading this forum is like watching Fox News.

oh, I get it, people here really, really like Microsoft, and never say anything bad about it? I know very little about PCs, so I can't comment much, but I think in the world usually people love Apple or Google, but HATE Microsoft. I personally don't like Mac's, but this comment about the Fox news made me laugh... especially since it follows the entry from the guy who looks and sounds like a such a cliché of a nerd... (no disrespect)

 

[Fire cat]

Hum...

I don't think this forum is a microsoft only forum...
I have to say, I prefer search results and the result page more than the Bing one, but I love the Bing homepage. Google Maps is way better than that thing Microsoft made to compete with Google Maps. Same goes with image search.

Basicly, I find that google products are much more accurate and powerful than the ones Microsoft made to compete against, but doesn't stand a chance against the Bing UI.

Though, I still like the fact that I can make documents anywhere with a internet connected computer. These new Windows Live features sound interesting...

 

[ertyui]

Glad to hear you trying to be objective...

 

[catilley1092]

oh, I get it, people here really, really like Microsoft, and never say anything bad about it? I know very little about PCs, so I can't comment much, but I think in the world usually people love Apple or Google, but HATE Microsoft. I personally don't like Mac's, but this comment about the Fox news made me laugh... especially since it follows the entry from the guy who looks and sounds like a such a cliché of a nerd... (no disrespect)

You wouldn't happen to be speaking of me, would you? What have I done to you to draw such a remark? I'm a regular on this forum, and do my best to help fellow members. Sometimes my answer isn't perfect, or it may not be what you want to hear. No one on this forum is perfect, if they were, they would be employed by Microsoft or another high profile/high paying position. Everyone has their own opinion, and that's by design. If I've done anything to you, PM me and let me know, otherwise, keep those type of remarks to yourself.
Thanks,
Cat

 

[clifford_cooley]

Cat he is simply suggesting that he could see you working for Fox News. Look at the brighter side of the comment instead of the darker side.

And coming up next we have catilley1092 from Fox News. Lets see what he has to say about "Microsoft's answer to Google Apps".

 

[catilley1092]

Well, I'd make a poor reporter, and probably lose my job on day one. Because if my opinion about Google were broadcast on national television, three fourths of them would be bleeped out.

 

[Veedaz]

@ Cat - but you may get to work with the Weather Girls mate

 

[catilley1092]

That would be a better position for me, Veedaz. The mere thought of Google lights up a big fire in my belly, as well as my mouth. I have zero use for them, I hope that makes thing clear in a respectful manner to everyone. My reasons are many, and it seems that I'm always running across a new one. Like their mock "burial" of IE6. Sure, it's not the most secure browser on the net, but at one time, it was the most popular one. And like the time they tried to throw a monkey wrench in Microsoft's business. Yahoo was there for many years, and only when MS wanted it, Google stepped in and tried to screw MS over the deal. Turns out, MS got most, if not all they wanted, for free. If I were on MS's board of directors, I'd be figuring out a way to totally ban Google's crap from their OS's.

And lastly, I tried out Google's piece of a crap of an OS. I did it with no bias, I wanted to see just what it was made of. It didn't take long. Kind of reminded me of Freespire, it's a plain looking OS, and they go out of their way not to allow Bing to be your default search engine. If this OS is to be their savior, Google is in deep s*it.

 

[Fire cat]

Ban google products....
Wouldn't make a very good impression for Microsoft. They allready did that with Netscape.

The majority of people I know are for Google. A few for Yahoo and only me for Bing...
Though, Windows Live Mail is much more widely used than Gmail.

 

[TrainableMan]

Well I started with yahoo, never liked google - go with the underdog!, but dropped them recently when they wanted me to log in all the time, now I'm currently set to Bing but I hate it that everytime I select an item from the search list that I have to back up 3 or 4 ads deep. My system blocks the ads but when go back out I have to hit the backspace one extra time for each of the stupid ads.

I am not a fan of Windows Live either, they want to take control and link everything I do in to one neat package of which they control it all ... put your mail here, put your homepage here, this is your facebook substitute, get your games here ... Haha! sucker, I own you now, I know all your information, I know everyone you know and I will control what you see and what you hear ... oh crap ... that's right, you have entered the Twilight Microsoft Zone!

So no, you won't find a Microsoft fanboy here. I use whatever works best for me and if that ends up being Goggle, well it's because Microsoft and Microsoft's merger with Yahoo drove me to it. But it hasn't happened yet, I may be able to find another engine.

 

[Fire cat]

Hum...
I don't have to make a choice; I've got my own server and adress.Much more convenient
Though, I still use a Gmail adress for all the google crap related things, Live ID for all the Microsoft related things and Yahoo for... well nothing really.

 

[Nibiru2012]

But it hasn't happened yet, I may be able to find another engine.

@TrainableMan - have you tried Ixquick search engine? It doesn't record your IP address and is the most private search there is, so far.

It's the only one I use now.

http://www.ixquick.com/eng/protect-privacy.html

Ixquick's position:

You have a right to privacy.

Your search data should never fall into the wrong hands.

The only real solution is quickly deleting your data or not storing them to begin with.

Since January 2009 we do not record our users' IP addresses anymore.

We are the first and only search engine to do so.

Our initiative is receiving an overwhelmingly positive response!

Ixquick will wholeheartedly continue on its mission to offer you great search results in the best possible privacy!

Ixquick Warranties:

European Privacy Seal
On July 14th 2008 Ixquick received the first European Privacy Seal from European Data Protection Supervisor Mr. Peter Hustinx. The Seal officially confirms the privacy promises we make to our users. It makes Ixquick the first and only EU-approved search engine. Both EU Commissioner Viviane Reding and Dr.Thilo Weichert, German Privacy Commissioner complemented Ixquick on its privacy achievements.

You can find the press release here.

Certified Secure, a leading Certification Authority, has certified Ixquick's Privacy procedures.

The CS Privacy Certificate has been awarded after an extensive audit.
It safeguards your Privacy!



Ixquick has been registered with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (CBP) under number M 1346973.
This Authority supervises the fair and lawful use and security of your personal data, to ensure your privacy today and in the future.

 

[linuxdudex12]

oh, I get it, people here really, really like Microsoft, and never say anything bad about it? I know very little about PCs, so I can't comment much, but I think in the world usually people love Apple or Google, but HATE Microsoft. I personally don't like Mac's, but this comment about the Fox news made me laugh... especially since it follows the entry from the guy who looks and sounds like a such a cliché of a nerd... (no disrespect)

Hey I don't think you are looking at things the right way. I do in fact have quite a bit of experience with technology to speak of, I used to hate Microsoft but this of course was a mistake. Why should you hate something if it has something to offer? I now take what I need from all the software and hardware that surrounds me, for example, Linux is a great open source fast OS free from many security threats Windows faces. However Windows is the best damn programming atmosphere i have ever encountered in my experience, i do all my programming on windows. Windows, also is significantly more user friendly then Linux for example. So what am I getting at? We on this forum do not discriminate against different software, we simply choose the option that provides us the most potential productivity given the circumstance.... Oh and one more thing, if people in this world "usually" love apple then why is it that Windows holds 91% of the market share and apple holds 5%? Steve Jobs himself said that he is not trying to beat Microsoft, simply offer a product that people might find useful. Steve Jobs said that if he were to directly compete with Microsoft he would of course lose ( i have the links to the youtube vids to prove the interview if you want them ). I like Google chromes browser, but not their search engine because of course the privacy issues. I don't like having my information recorded whenever i can help it. Yep ixquick all the way

 

[Core]

I honestly could not care less if my IP and/or searches were recorded. I'm not searching for kiddie porn, or bomb schematics, or al-Qaeda application forms.

I really don't understand this anti-Google mentality which doesn't seem to be rooted in any practical or realistic concerns. Not everyone is out to get you.