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Cloud stored office documents

  • Geffers G
    • 237 posts
    November 26, 2023 4:03 AM PST

    I haven't used Microsoft Office since I retired, I was not aware that it had moved to Office 365 and was cloud based.  Apparently Adobe too are cloud based, as are many programs.

    I have for years used the Libre Office suite of programs which are installed on your computer so no cloud storage of documents.  It is very compatible with MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.  Available for Microsoft, Apple and Linux with mobile options too.  Plus it is free.

    Good 16 minute video highlights features.

    https://youtu.be/LnXZKphq-XM?si=rYpL7Nnfwvjcvzv9

    Geffers

     

  • Web Diva
    • Moderator
    • 329 posts
    November 26, 2023 8:53 AM PST

    Thank you for the video, I'll take a look.  I haven't used Libre office, but I'll take a look.  I'm not a fan of cloud storage, per se as I would rather like it on my own external drive.  I do see the value though in cloud storage at times.

    Have you noticed everything is subscription based anymore?

  • Geffers G
    • 237 posts
    November 26, 2023 2:01 PM PST

    Must admit I have many photos that are stored with Google but documents, not sure I'd like them on the cloud.

    I have noticed many are subscription but I've used Linux for around 10 years now so am not affected by what Apple and MS do.  Guess cloud storage is such an everyday way of life now that it is hard to eradicate it all together, especially photos.  Half the time I don't know if photos are on my phone or the cloud.

    I think some people are oblivious to what happens to their data, an understanding is useful then one can choose what to use and what not to use.

    Geffers

     

  • Web Diva
    • Moderator
    • 329 posts
    November 26, 2023 2:44 PM PST

    Knowledge IS power and I agree, the average person doesn't think about their liberty and what they are giving up for the convenience.

    Photos....sigh...that's a huge project I'm going to have to delve into one day when my life settles down.  I have photos on thumb drives and external drives and I need to get them all in one organized place....one day.

    On the cloud, I've found Microsoft has a pretty tricky way to get your stuff on One Drive unless you are paying attention.  I have two relatively new computers with 4 Terabytes of storage on each and found I made a mistake in the beginning when these were new and had to move stuff around to get out of that One Drive and back to the right place.

  • Geffers G
    • 237 posts
    November 27, 2023 12:51 AM PST

    Problem with photos is, with digital, no real cost involved, can't run out of film, no waiting for developing, no storage issues so we take so many and seldom delete any.  Result we have so much poor quality stuff kept that indexing photos is often ignored.

    Google's search facilities are amazing, if you enable facial recognition then assign a name to a face - search for that name and most of the photos of that person appear (some mistakes obviously).

    Another advantage of Google's cloud storage is, you can add reference details to any photo  eg, maybe photo a purchase receipt, label it 'Television receipt', now a search for Television or receipt will find it.

    There are amazing advantages but we get sucked in.

    Geffers

     

  • Web Diva
    • Moderator
    • 329 posts
    November 27, 2023 7:44 PM PST
    Geffers G said: Problem with photos is, with digital, no real cost involved, can't run out of film, no waiting for developing, no storage issues so we take so many and seldom delete any. Result we have so much poor quality stuff kept that indexing photos is often ignored. Google's search facilities are amazing, if you enable facial recognition then assign a name to a face - search for that name and most of the photos of that person appear (some mistakes obviously). Another advantage of Google's cloud storage is, you can add reference details to any photo eg, maybe photo a purchase receipt, label it 'Television receipt', now a search for Television or receipt will find it. There are amazing advantages but we get sucked in. Geffers Exactly, I couldn't have said it better....we are always with phone in hand taking pictures of everything, like when you are in a parking garage and you want to remember where you parked, you take a picture. We have so many pictures of nothing. Truth is, I have so many pictures of my dogs, they take up all of my storage lol. Good to know about Googles cloud storage and their organizational capabilities. That's what I need!
  • PengieTech
    • 8 posts
    December 2, 2023 6:23 AM PST
    Geffers G said:

    I haven't used Microsoft Office since I retired, I was not aware that it had moved to Office 365 and was cloud based.  Apparently Adobe too are cloud based, as are many programs.

    I have for years used the Libre Office suite of programs which are installed on your computer so no cloud storage of documents.  It is very compatible with MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.  Available for Microsoft, Apple and Linux with mobile options too.  Plus it is free.

    Good 16 minute video highlights features.

    https://youtu.be/LnXZKphq-XM?si=rYpL7Nnfwvjcvzv9

    Geffers

     

    Libre Office is my fave. I loved Open Office before Libre. When the founders of Open Office had a bit of a disagreement over the direction of the platform, some left and created Libre as they wanted more features for authors. Hence, I switched and definitely like it better than Open Office. Thanks for sharing!