Freeware

Zoho Writer: Taking Web 2.0 to a New Level

By Eric Norton ⋅ August 22, 2007 ⋅  Email this Post ⋅  Print this Post ⋅ Post a Comment

Developer: AdventNet Inc.
Version: N/A (Beta)
Price: Free
Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX, Windows - Requires Internet Connection
Check Out Zoho Writer Here.

I’ve tried quite a few word processors in my quest to find the best free product. After all, Microsoft Word, the reigning champion of word processors is quite a force to be reckoned with and offers a variety of features that are surprisingly absent from other word processors. Yes, I’m referring to the grammar check. Unfortunately, Zoho Writer is another word processor that lacks a grammar check. It’s free, it’s easy to use, it has online and offline versions - but it needs that grammar checker to ever be considered a true alternative to the likes of Microsoft Word. Despite the lack of a grammar checker, though, Zoho Writer is an excellent option for those looking to escape from Microsoft’s grasp.

The biggest benefit that Zoho Writer has going for it is that it’s online instead of on the desktop. Essentially an online, Web 2.0 type of application, Zoho Writer is designed to be used anywhere so long as there is an internet connection handy. Unfortunately this benefit can become problematic at times. For example, if my internet connection goes down or my browser decides that it wants to stop working properly, I run the risk of losing my data until I can find someone else’s computer to use. On the other hand, though, the online benefits allow me to take my work anywhere I go - even if I forget my computer at home. As long as I know my password, any computer that’s connected to the internet can be used to access my documents.

Another great feature of Zoho Writer is that it’s lightweight. Writer only takes a couple of seconds to load on a DSL connection - often much more quickly than I can open a copy of Microsoft Word or Open Office on any of my computers. It also works on all of the current browsers without a hitch (somewhat shaky with WebKit browsers). Furthermore, I can open and save my documents in a variety of formats - including Word Documents (.doc) and Open Document (.odt). Zoho Writer even integrates extremely well with sites like Flickr and YouTube to embed pictures and movies in documents.

I’m extremely impressed with the array of features that Zoho has included in their Writer web app. I could easily see myself transitioning from desktop based word processors to Zoho’s product. The buttons all look just like the ones included with Word and are extremely easy to get used to. And that’s great for people who are looking for an alternative who don’t want to have to learn new button styles ad wade through menus just to find one particular feature. Everything is up front, easy to access, and perfect for users of all skill levels. Usability is really off the charts and the layout is nice and customizable to suit anyone’s needs.

There’s also some other cool stuff with Zoho Writer. One is a widget that can be added to a Windows desktop. Another allows documents to be automatically published to a variety of blogs. There are also plugins available for programs like Microsoft Word, Facebook, and backup services like box.net and Omnidrive. Zoho Writer can even be accessed on the iPhone. The only drawback is that I can’t escape my work now that I can access it anywhere.

But could anything be better about Zoho Writer? Yes, as there are a couple of features that I would really like to see. First is the grammar checker that I went on about earlier in the post. The other is a real time word count. As of now, I can only access the word count when I hit the save button, but I would love to be able to see a live word count like is available on Microsoft Word 2007. Finally, the spell check is a little weak and could use some improvements, such as a modifiable dictionary. Aside from these three negligible blemishes, Zoho Writer is a fantastic product and easily one of the best word processors out there. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

Try Zoho Writer for Yourself.

- Eric Norton

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