Sometimes you just find yourself in a situation where you have none of the tools you need to get the job done. This typically happens when you are either working on someone else’s computer or you need to perform some computer related task in an emergency.
When you find yourself in these situations, I find it to be very helpful to have a list of web based alternatives available to me. This way, all I will need is an Internet connection and a web browser.
This has prompted me to put together a list of applications and their web based alternatives. Now, most of the web based applications do not have all the functionality or options of their desktop counterparts but they sure are handy in a pinch. Also note that some do require you to create an account on the site in order to use the application.
| Thumbnail | Web Application | Alternative To | Description | Requires Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gliffy | Visio | Diagramming in your web browser without downloading additional software | Yes | |
| ThinkFree Online | Microsoft Office | Create Microsoft Office compatible word processing, spreadsheet and presentation files or edit existing documents. | Yes | |
| Mail2Web | Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, etc. | Pick up your email from any computer, anywhere in the world. No need to register! | No | |
| Google Maps | MapPoint | View maps and get directions | No | |
| ScheduleWorld | ActiveSync, Palm Desktop | ScheduleWorld is an experiment in a new kind of rich Internet application, built on the foundations of open standards that enables you to access your data from virtually anywhere using a growing number of interoperable devices and software. | Yes | |
| PXN8 | Photoshop, Paint | Online photo editor | No | |
| Thumbstacks | PowerPoint | With Thumbstacks.com, you can make presentations - like slideshows, or outlines - right in your web browser. When you’re done, you can share your presentations with anyone, anywhere, just by sending them a link. | Yes | |
| Xcellery | Excel | Xcellery extends Microsoft® Excel with multi-user online editing capability. Always stay up to date. No installation required. No need to learn a new tool. | Yes | |
| Krunch | WinZip | Krun.ch is a simple tool that simplifies the process of compressing and sending your files online. Krun.ch isn’t a replacement for the traditional desktop compression tools, but its just a tool that makes things easier by cutting down all the ‘krunching’ hassles! | No | |
| del.icio.us | Favourites | Online favourite links | Yes | |
| Orangoo | Spell Check | This little application lets you spell correct from any system or computer that has Internet access. | No | |
| eyeOS | Windows, Linux | eyeOS is an Open Source Web Desktop Environment, commonly known as Web Operating System (Web OS) or Web Office. | No | |
| Zoho Writer | Word | A tool to create documents, edit them your way, and share with anyone | Yes | |
| Desktoptwo | Windows, Linux | Wherever you go, whatever you do, youcan bring your desktop, too. | Yes | |
| Grazr | RSS Feed Reader | Grazr lets you view as many feeds as you want without the hassle of subscribing. | No | |
| Writely | Word | Create new documents from scratch, upload them from most popular file formats (including Word), or e-mail them into Writely in batches. | Yes | |
| SnipShot | Paint, Photoshop, Gimp | Edit pictures online | No | |
| ImaginationCubed | Whiteboard Applications | Live whiteboard that you can share with up to three people | No | |
| Room Planner | CAD, Visio | Create a customized floor plan for any room in your home! Use your mouse to drag furniture into the room. Then experiment with various arrangements and structural changes. Use the pulldown menu to switch rooms. | No | |
| Vyew | Netmeeting | Vyew is a browser-based conferencing and always-on collaboration platform that provides instant visual communication without the need for client downloads or installations. | No | |
| calcr | Windows Calculator | Online calculator | No | |
| Odeo | Voice Mail | Online voice messaging | Yes | |
| Gabbly | AIM, Windows Messenger | Chat about any content on the web. | No | |
| Zoho Creator | Web Application Development Tools | The easy way to create personal and business web applications. It’s fast and free. | Yes | |
| Feedwhip | Website Monitoring Software | Feedwhip can automatically create an RSS feed or send email alerts for (almost) any web page on the internet. | Yes | |
| Meebo | MSN Messenger, AIM, etc. | We’re working to bring your IM buddies to you absolutely anywhere. Hopefully this lets you get all of your IMing done in one place and makes it easier too. | Yes | |
| Perfect Passwords | Password Genereators | Generating long, high-quality random passwords is not simple. So here is some totally random raw material, generated just for YOU, to start with. | No | |
| WhatTheFont? | N/A | Recognized fonts from an image. | No | |
| Agatra | Password Management Software | Agatra is a free service that securely stores your passwords online so that they’re accessible from anywhere you have an internet connection. It can even log you in directly to most sites! | Yes | |
| Time Tracker | Time management software | Time Tracker is a simple tool to keep track of the time you spend on any task. | Yes | |
| ChatCreator | MSN Messenger, AIM, etc. | Make your own chat room! | No | |
| Basecamp | Microsoft Project | Basecamp is a unique project collaboration tool. Projects don’t fail from a lack of charts, graphs, or reports, they fail from a lack of communication and collaboration. Basecamp makes it simple to communicate and collaborate on projects. | Yes | |
| Remember the Milk | Outlook Task List | Managing tasks is generally not a fun way to spend your time. We created Remember The Milk so that you no longer have to write your to-do lists on sticky notes, whiteboards, random scraps of paper, or the back of your hand. Remember The Milk makes managing tasks an enjoyable experience. | Yes | |
| Document Converter eXPress | Adobe Acrobat, PDF Creator | Neevia Document Converter eXpress makes it possible for anyone to instantly convert their files to PDF or Image without the need of installing special software. | No | |
| Writeboard | Netmeeting | Writeboards are sharable, web based text documents that let you save every edit, roll back to any version, and easily compare changes. Use Writeboard to write solo or collaborate with others. | Yes |
I know for a fact that this can not be an exhaustive list of web based applications that can be used in a pinch when desktop applications are not available. Share your favorites with others in the comments.
Update: More Applications Supplied by DCoT’ers
| Thumbnail | Web Application | Alternative To | Description | Requires Account | Thanks To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Spreadsheets | Excel | Imagine a spreadsheet that’s always current and that others can update from their own computers, even at the same time. | Yes | PB | |
 |
Media Convert | Any program that converts file formats | Media-Convert converts audio files, video, presentation, document, spreadsheet, etc. | No | LifeHacker |
| Trackback link - http://www.dailycupoftech.com/web-based-application-alternatives-work-in-progress/trackback/ |
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September 25th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Don’t forget about Google Spreadsheets at
http://www.google.com/googlespreadsheets/try_out.html
September 25th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Can’t believe I missed that one! I’ll add it to the update list when I get a chance.
Thanks for the heads up, PB.
Tim
October 11th, 2006 at 9:13 am
This just in: It looks like Google has combined Writely and Google Spreadsheets to come up with Google Docs & Spreadsheets.
Tim
November 7th, 2006 at 12:55 am
A few you must have overlooked:
YouOS (youos.com - a very good web-based OS)
Zamzar (zamzar.com - a better file coversion system than mediaconvert.com with a bigger file size limit)
Domjax (domjax.com - an excellent auto-updating ajax-based domain / whois / registration tool)
Netvibes (netvibes.com - cant believe this isnt on here)
Fax Zero (faxzero.com - free internet faxing, no registration)
Gosh, I think there are more. I hope I’m not out of line posting all of these, just trying to help
November 7th, 2006 at 5:29 am
AutomoBlog,
Never apologize for helping! Thanks for the links to the new sites. I will be adding them to the “official” list ASAP.
Just a side note. I do not know everything there is to know about and one topic. All I hope to provide is the catalyst that will start something. This is exactly what has happened here and I think that the article has become better than it was before your entry.
I have discovered that if I admit to my mistakes and shortcomings, this blog will be a better place for all. If I were to get angry and frustrated every time someone points out something I missed or has an opinion different to mine, this blog would have been finished the day it started.
I hope to see your continued contribution to the blog. It is greatly appreciated.
Tim
November 7th, 2006 at 11:44 am
I love this post Tim, it’s done exactly what it’s supposed to. I’ve discovered some very cool new sites from this post, and posted some of my own that I use. Hopefully the list will continue to grow from other DCoT’ers.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:52 am
very nice compilation. thank you very much.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Excellent compilation .. Congrats…
March 18th, 2007 at 8:46 am
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August 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Thanks for the info
hutch
September 24th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Tim, thanks for a great comparison! It’s really useful. I also have an idea of a good. Unlike Basecamp, that is mentioned in the list, Wrike has Gantt Charts. In my opinion Wrike has more project management features.
You could also consider Google aps, Preezo and Slideshare as alternatives to PowerPoint.