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Posts with tag ajaxsketch

Filed under: Office, Web services

ajaxXLS: Web-based spreadsheet from ajaxLaunch

ajaxXLSMichael Robertson's ajaxLaunch is trying hard to keep up the buzz from the launches of its web-based word processor ajaxWrite and drawing app ajaxSketch, and today it's launched ajaxXLS, a web-based spreadsheet app. ajaxXLS looks promising, and will no doubt look familiar to Excel users, but having spent a few minutes with it I can already tell ajaxXLS is far from finished. In fact, it's downright hard to use and seems like it would be infuriating to anyone trying to switch from Excel. Some of its issues might just be due to high opening day user load, but much of it just seems buggy or incomplete. Here's hoping Robertson can turn ajaxXLS into something usable; at present it's uninspiring.

Filed under: Design, Developer, Fun, Web services, Freeware

ajaxSketch

ajaxwriteThe other week we mentioned ajaxWrite, which was developed by the good folks at Linspire. It appears the ajax bug has bitten Michael Robertson big time, and who can blame him? Linspire's Click-and-Run repository of instantly downloadable apps (similar to Synaptic in Ubuntu) has theoretically made it much easier to distribute and install apps for its users. Ajax apps don't even need a download really, and as Michael says, "Software can be a low cost or free service available to everyone on any computer platform, loaded instantly when you want it with no hassles. Exciting, ain't it?" Yes, it is, when it works. A number of people complained about ajaxWrite not being quite ready. Reading Michael's recap, I see why— their servers just weren't ready for the demand. Hopefully the launch of ajaxSketch last week will go better. ajaxSketch is, of course, a browser-based drawing tool.

There are still a few kinks in the system, however. Bringing in a JPG, I wasn't allowed to add text. Maybe I was, but I never saw it, and couldn't manipulate it. For basic shapes and drawings, this works OK. As expected, nowhere near the functionality of GIMP or even Paint for that matter, but an interesting tech demo. One interesting bit is that your docs are saved as SVG's. Is there a use for this? Not yet, but I can see it evolving over time into something moderately useful, especially for creating PowerPoint-esque graphics (hint, hint).

Robertson is so smitten with ajax, he's even started a website: ajaxLaunch.com, where he and his flying monkeys developers will be launching a new ajax-based web app every Wednesday. Naturally, we'll try to pick those apart each week as well. I applaud the effort, and hope, like ajaxWrite, NVU, and Linspire itself, these tools will gain some level of appeal to "average" users.

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

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