Google Base API and More Online App Storage Musing

Posted on August 23, 2006 One Comment

The Google Code Blog has a post up announcing the new Google Base data API. When I first saw this, I didn’t give much beyond a “ho hum” response, but after pondering it a bit this morning, I suddenly realize this may make sense when looked at along with some of my recent posts about online offices and online storage.

From the API Page:

Google Base allows client applications to view and update stored data in the form of Google data API (”GData”) feeds. Your client application can use the Google Base data API to create new data, edit or delete existing data, and query for data items that match particular criteria.

Wouldn’t it be great if Writely was using this API for “databased” document storage? Sure, putting documents in a db may be a bit… kludgey, but if Google yanks the plug on Writely some day, at least all my documents would still be around.

It gets more interesting (ok, and realistic) when you look at other online applications. For instance, all the apps in the “Task Management, to-do list and Note keepers” space: they should be jumping all over this. If my favorite task manager tanks, at least my data and notes are still out there where I can reach ‘em.

Let’s extend the fantasy and pretend they all use a common schema too. Then switching from one service to another becomes trivial. And highly unlikely… but it’s fun to fantasize from time to time.

Speaking of interesting storage options, I got an invite into the Omnidrive beta last week. Still experimenting with it, but initial reaction is WOW. Stay tuned.

[via Web 2.0 Explorer]

Tags: beta, gdrive, google, google-drive, omnidrive, online-storage, onlineoffice, writely