Online word-processing

The one problem I have with most online word processing programs is they don't offer the full functionality of their desktop counterparts.

Buzzword does. I expected a lot from this site, especially since it's produced by Adobe, but it delivered even more than I hoped.

In order to test out the site, this review was written using Buzzword.

Normally, I wouldn't have bothered because most sites require you to take a step backwards in time and learn coding, where you have to insert words or symbols in a certain way to format text.

Buzzword doesn't bother with the 1980s technology. This site allows you to choose fonts, text size, colour and other basic options from a drop down menu. It also allows you to make lists, tables, and even insert pictures.

Apart from formatting, the site provides features such as word count and spell checking. What I found surprising was how the website allowed me to save files.

Saving and printing

While I expected I wouldn't be allowed to save directly to my hard disk (all files are saved in an online library) the site did allow me to export a pdf file.

You can also print directly from the web, which I found surprising.

Printing from the web isn't anything new, but this is the first time I have been able to o that with a document I created.

Other than word processing, the site also allows for cooperative work.

An online meeting area allows users to view each other's screens as documents are edited, and there is a console for messaging, annotating, and even video chatting for those with web cameras, although it looks like the voice and video services are limited to about four countries in North America and Europe.

One of my few concerns with the site was speed. I use a two-megabyte line but had to wait almost 15 seconds just to save a document. It took almost a minute to export a pdf.

However, speed aside, the site delivers what it sets out to do.