Computer Tips and Guides

Real-time collaboration tool Google Docs is handy for simultaneously working on projects with multiple people, but it requires a Google account for all users. The new Google Docs Demo creates quick collaborative documents with a 24-hour shelf-life, no Google account necessary.The Google Docs Demo includes the ability to create documents, spreadsheets, and drawings. The document is shareable via a copy-and-paste link, which can be sent to any user. Documents created are only available for 24 hours before they’re deleted from Google’s server, making it good for short-term collaboration, like if you just want to quickly work some ideas out with a coworker or a friend but don’t need persistent storage.

Unfortunately, it’s not as fully featured as Google Docs proper, and it would be cool if these instant workspaces weren’t just temporary—like Etherpad was before Google bought it. You can’t save a document to your computer, but you can print it. Similarly, Google Spreadsheet’s in-built chat feature does not work with the demo.