Microsoft Office Live is Online — Or, is it?

Microsoft Office Live is online. That’s what Microsoft would have us believe. The new service by Microsoft is really not online in the sense of the “I do not need anything on my computer, but a browser” to use it.

This post by Jason at 37signals let’s one know just how “online” the system is.

If Microsoft requires its Office software to be installed on a computer in order to use its “online” service, then its not really online. Jason’s post points out that some of the features require Office installations. Now, is this all bad? No, it’s a giant company trying to make the move into the online SaaS waters. If they can eventually pull it off, then I’m sure it will be a true “online” offering.

I just cannot imagine launching in this condition.