Firefox OS: Why My Hard Drive & Software are Obsolete – lifehack.org
This short spiel by Leo Babauta explains how at least a small chunk of the expensive software we typically use may be unnecessary given the host of high quality web-based tools out there now. He does disclaim by saying that a big chunk of the replacements are Google products, but I say that’s no real threat to the position. There are other free utilities besides Google’s. Also, there are implications that strengthen the argument. Okay, so I see the point and I’m looking for the most consequential and real world implications. Well, one is that you need a high speed connection (easy for me; I work at a university). Another of the biggest ones I can think of is the expensive Office suite of applications. I already do not use Outlook for Access, so that’s a waste. I don’t care much for PowerPoint. So, I’m using Word and Excel. I’m going to check how much my college spent on it and maybe give up the license to someone who is more committed to Office. I could almost give it up. That money could be spent on more carefully chosen software without guilt, like Camtasia Studio (very useful to me). Caveat: Endnote’s Cite While you Write feature needs Word.
