Daniel Carrera

Last week Marbux mentioned a new ODF application called Peepel and I decided to take a look…

Peepel is a web-based office suite, so it competes with Google Docs and similar services. Like Google, Peepel provides both word processing and spreadsheet functionality. Un-like Google, Peepel gives you a “virtual desktop” where you can have several documents open in a single browser window. You can move windows around, maximize, minimize, etc.

Peepel has a “Panel” that changes according to the application you are using. That looks like a pretty good idea. Personally I like it, and I think it’s an application well worth watching.

Peepel is still Beta, so it would be unfair to be too picky. The spreadsheet already uses a simplified variation of ODF as its native format, and the Writer component is set to receive ODF support in the coming weeks.

In a conversation with Stephen Kelly from Peepel he said to me “It [is] our intention to support OpenDocument as our preferred file format. Although this decision was made for a number of reasons, we felt that OpenDocument’s acceptance by the ISO would lead to an increased level of trust between us and our users. This is a goal we are determined to meet and are working towards it presently.“.

I did notice some issues when I tested the ODF export on the Fellowship’s ODF Validator, but they don’t look problematic. The development team will take a look. Chatting with Stephen it seems like ODF support is pretty high on their priority list.

Personally I’m pretty excited about Peepel. The product looks very promising, and I think it’ll give Google Docs a run for its money.