Google offers tools for building websites by Michael Liedke, AP via Toronto Star (Feb 28)
Google goes beyond Google Docs and Blogger to add tools for creating web wiki-like sites which will be hosted on Google's computers. New product is based on JotSpot which Google acquired earlier.
"With only a few clicks, just about anyone will be able to quickly set up and update a website featuring wide an array of material, including pictures, calendars and video from Google Inc.'s YouTube subsidiary, said Dave Girouard, general manager of the division overseeing the new application."
Of interest: "Google's latest service represents a challenge to Microsoft's SharePoint, which charges licensing fees. Google is unveiling its alternative just a few days before Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft hosts a SharePoint conference in Seattle." May be some hyperbole in that comparison at least at this stage.
Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Land described Google Sites - Google Sites Launches: Replaces Jotspot With Team Sharing Software - a mix of wiki, blog, and place for sharing files (and a dashboard for Google gadgets).
"Google Sites is free for all users with limited space of 10GB and limited support. Upgrading to Google Apps Premium gives you more support, storage and administrative features. Google Sites currently doesn't have an API yet, but that is reportedly coming soon."
Some suggested uses are "company intranet, team projects, employee profile pages, classroom pages, and student clubs."
Google Sites -- http://sites.google.com/
This will compete with free services such as PBwiki or WikiSpaces Basic, though both of those have a good head start.
Posted by Gwen at February 29, 2008 01:22 PM