For the last few decades, Microsoft Word has been the de facto standard for word processors across the working world. That's finally starting to shift, and it looks like one of Google's productivity apps is the heir apparent. The company's Google Docs solution (or to be specific, the integrated word processor) is cross-platform and interoperable, automatically syncs, is easily shareable, and perhaps best of all, is free.
However, using Google Docs proves it still has a long way to go before it can match all of Word's features -- Microsoft has been developing its word processor for over 30 years, after all, and millions still use Microsoft Word. Will Google Docs' low barrier to entry and cross-platform functionality win out? Let's break down each word processor in terms of features and capabilities to help you determine which is best for your needs.
How does each word processing program compare?
To put it lightly, Microsoft Word has an incredible advantage over Google Docs in terms of raw technical capability. From relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s, Microsoft has added new tools and options in each successive version. Most of the essential editing tools are available in Google Docs, but users who are used to Word will find it limited.
They may have been abused by Manhattanites, but that may just be all the more reason for LinkNYC’s Wi-Fi hubs to move to the outer boroughs. On Monday, two new Link Wi-Fi kiosks were launched in Brooklyn, bringing the total number in the borough to nearly 12, with more planned in the next few weeks. So here’s hoping that the Brooklynites don’t use the internet hubs for the same thing folks on the neighboring island (that is to say, porn).
CityBridge, the organization responsible for the LinkNYC hubs, also announced on Monday that the first of these hubs has been installed on Staten Island. Indeed, these citywide hot spots have come a long way since their debut back in February. In fact, more than 500 Links can now be found across New York City, each of which provides free Wi-Fi, domestic calling, two USB charging ports, and access to 911 and 311. Thus far, CityBridge notes, more than 700,000 people have taken advantage of the free Wi-Fi service, and the Links are used nearly 3 million times each week.
“Working in partnership with the de Blasio administration and my fellow borough presidents, we have expanded LinkNYC in a fashion that is meaningfully helping to close the digital divide in all five boroughs,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
The impressive network of Link hubs is currently funded exclusively through advertising, and is on track to generate more than $500 million in revenue for New York City. And as New York continues to work on making the city ever more connected (with Wi-Fi in the subway system as well as the installation of high-speed fiber optic cables throughout the boroughs), LinkNYC is just one piece of the larger puzzle. To see if there’s a Link coming to an area near you, check out Link.nyc.