Let me be the first one to say that this is one of the reasons why complete offline mode for Google Docs will be a big thing. For companies, Google Docs does not currently solve all the needed requirements.

Good writeup though.

Seems like Google and Offline are like Oil and Water.

That is a bit offhand. Google has added an offline feature to Gmail, and are rolling out access to Calendar and Docs, as they outlined when they announced the Chromebooks at I/O earlier this year.[0]

All this replaces the previous work they did for online/offline through Google Gears -- which they're continuing to support until they've migrated data into HTML5 features.

[0] http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/using-gmail-calendar-a...

How do you launch Gmail in offline mode if you just booted you machine without any connection? It's not offhand, HTML5 offline support is limited.

Also, please update your info: Adios, offline Gmail on Chrome for now:http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20066170-264.html

Someone just downvoted the post without any fruitful comment.

I assure you it wasn't me.

The Offline feature for Gmail I was referring to was the new Chrome app. It's mentioned in the Google Blog post I linked to and can be found here on the Chrome Webstore: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ejidjjhkpiempkbhmp...

When you wrote "Google and Offline are like Oil and Water", I took you to mean (1) that the two don't mix, and (2) you think this is a deliberate strategy or approach by Google, and that it's wrong.

I think (1) is correct, but I accept that I may have inferred too much with (2).

If so, please accept my apologies: newish user here finding my feet.

I just felt it necessary to point out that Google has not abandoned offline capability, and understands its importance. I believe employees use a version of Google Docs internally that has offline functionality, as they have beta-tested new Google products / features before.

In the HN thread from last week for the new app announcement, one of the Gmail offline team members contributes with comments about why offline is proving tricky to implement:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2946150 (user's name is nex3)

There's also further comments about how other Google employees have contributed on HN about how offline access to Gmail, Docs and Calendar is understood to be fundamental for ChromeOS.

My opinion is based on the current state of Google products, If Google doesn't have real offline offerings on 2011 it's because this was far from their interest. They need to complement their products with offline products, but very late.

Strongly disagree. There are many many companies (including Google itself) that use Google Docs for basically all their..well documents. What are these needed requirements you're referring to?

50 minutes of downtime is certainly an annoyance, but there are very few companies where this happening once a year or so is a deal breaker.

That is a very nice detailed write up. I do think this illustrates the need for offline access though.

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