Today's cloud test. Google docs vs Microsoft Skydrive. I wanted to know how realistic it would be to start storing all my personal data on the web using free products. I assumed security wasn't an issue, so long as I went with a major known provider.
Criteria:
1. Upload multiple files at one time
2. View files in browser
3. Easily move files between files and folders
4. Unlimited folder depth
5. Contemporary look and feel
Analysis
1. Skydrive lets you easily upload multiple files, Google docs doesn't.
2. Guess what, Skydrive completely wrecks .pdfs. That's almost a show stopper, as I would really like to file a lot of old bills online using .pdfs. Google docs uploads .pdf very unpredictably, do both fail miserably in this area.
3. Skydrive has much more sophsticated look and feel, and moving files is easier.
4. Folder depth is really important to me because I'm a disciplined organizer of files. Google docs allows to create folder depth, but once you do, it's almost impossible to follow. Skydrive wins easily.
5. Come on Google, the interface is really dated, and actually, just plain bad. I know the Skydrive gui is all Vista/Silverlight smooth, but it just looks better, has less clutter, and shows that more thought was put into it. Google obviously gave Google Earth an unlimited budget, it's clear they are not seeing the revenue stream in docs with an inteface this dated and poorly thought through.
Verdict
Overall, Skydrive would win, but fails the .pdf test so badly that it blew it's chance. Google displayed them seamlessly, but uploaded them only when it felt like it. So neither product got past five or six user actions without show-stopper functionality breakdowns. So it looks like I'm hanging out with my hardrive for a little longer.
