…Get more from cloud computing

By Michelle V. Rafter

Maybe you’re traveling more for business, or you couldn’t resist getting one of those nifty netbooks. Whatever the reason, if you’ve given up on the ancient idea that software must live on a hard drive, then you’re ready for the clouds -- as in cloud computing. Here’s how to get the most out it:

1. Office productivity Programs for writing, crunching numbers, and creating presentations are the bread and butter of modern business. They’re also some of the most popular Web-based software. For example, Google Docs includes apps for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and a form generator. Also available is OpenOffice.org, an open-source productivity suite, which includes all that Google Docs offers plus graphics and database programs. And it comes in multiple languages. Not to be outdone, Microsoft will soon offer “lite” versions of its ubiquitous workplace productivity suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) as individual Web apps.

2. Collaboration Because no man (or woman) is an island, you need the ability to share your work with colleagues or clients. Google Docs has file sharing built in, as will Microsoft Office Web applications when they’re released. Yet another option is the online resource Box, which lets you store assorted file types in an online file drawer and grant co-workers access to change, copy, or download. An added bonus: As of fall 2008, if you’re one of the 35 million LinkedIn members, you can use Box directly from your LI homepage.

3. Project management Sharing files is one thing, but coordinating a team of people who are working on the same project is another ball game altogether. Those circumstances call for a beefier project management program, like 37signals’ Basecamp, a Web app with components for tracking schedules and hours worked, to-do lists, milestones, and intra-team emails. Another option: Norada Corp.’s JobBlogs, which mixes standard features of project and customer relationship management software with an internal company blog.