Buzzword: Redefining Web 2.0 Word Processing with Flash

As a long-time author, I've used word processors ranging from Scripsit (on the old TRS-80) and WordStar to Microsoft Word, and Framemaker. Lately, there have been many web 2.0 word processors from companies like Google, ThinkFree, and Zoho. ThinkFree uses Java, so its interface looks much like Microsoft Word or Open Office.

While the other online word processors work well enough, they look more or less like souped up web forms. Recently Virtual Ubiquity introduced a Flash-based word processor named Buzzword that is destined to raise the bar for online office applications from here on out. Although it is supposed to be a preview, it works great -- I'm using it to write this article.

Why use an web 2.0 word processor? There are several different reasons people are starting to gravitate to online word processors and other applications. First, it is very handy to have your program and files available from any computer with an Internet connection. Second, online applications can be constantly updated and upgraded with no effort on your part. Another reason is that the applications -- at least so far -- are typically free.

So what's different about Buzzword? Because it is Flash-based, it feels like a regular program, not like a web page. You don't have the feeling of navigating the Web when you push a menu item and force a reload of the page, for example. Even beyond that, however, Buzzword looks different from any other application you've probably seen.

As you'd expect, the main part of the word processor (which runs in Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari) is the document. There are two bars at the top of the screen. One is essentially a traditional menu bar with type usual items like Document (similar to a File menu), Edit, and Help. Below the menu is a tool bar that is very different from your usual tool bar. It works almost like a tabbed browser. There are several icons that control the major function of the tool bar. When you click on a particular icon, it moves to the left. Any icons to the right slide to the far right and the space between the icon you clicked (on the left) and the right-hand side icons has the actual toolbar.

The toolbars let you control the font, paragraph styles, list formats, insert images and tables, and insert comments into the document. As you'd expect, you can do all the same functions from the menu bar. The toolbar is just handier.

There is another area at the bottom of the window that contains controls for sharing documents with other users and viewing version differences in the document. There are also some miscellaneous status controls on the lower bar.

Some of the user interface, however, is embedded throughout the program. For example, as you type a little comment bubble floats around to allow you to insert a comment without using the menu. Other gadgets float over tables and misspelled words.

Buzzword has the basic features you'd expect. It supports undo, search and replace, spell checking, tables, images, headers, footers, and end notes. You can print your documents to a printer. The program allows you to insert comments into your documents and save documents in a variety of formats (including Microsoft Word, but not including HTML). One thing I didn't see was a word counting function (so important for writers). Another thing I found mildly annoying is that being Flash-based, Buzzword doesn't know anything about the right mouse button. So clicking on a misspelled word, for example, brings up the browser's context menu which is disconcerting.

Of course, there's also no macro language, thesaurus, or support for embedding objects (like spreadsheets) into the documents. On the other hand, the developer's can update the application at any time, so it is entirely possible that some features will appear with time.

Will Buzzword replace Microsoft Word or Open Office? Its very doubtful that will happen soon. If you crave those kind of features and you want to stay with a free online product, consider ThinkFree. But Buzzword certainly has its place. Its clean and simple interface and application-like user experience will make it a favorite among people who want to use an online web 2.0 word processor. Since this is a preview edition, there's little doubt that Virtual Ubiquity will continue to make enhancements and improvements.