Two years ago, when Backupify launched our Google Apps backup product, the chatter around Google Apps was very low-key. My Google Reader was set up to receive alerts for various Google Apps-based terms and I began to subscribe to many blogs mentioning Google Apps. The number of new posts that appeared in my Reader every day was minimal.
Two years later, I can’t seem to keep up with all the new Google Apps news items in my Reader! More and more blogs are cropping up to discuss best practices, marketplace reviews and new product releases within Google Apps, but a few really stand out.
You probably already read TechCrunch, Fast Company, TechMeme, ReadWriteWeb, etc. that include cloud-based topics in their coverage. However, we’ve found some really rock-star niche blogs that not only teach you more about Google Apps and the cloud in general, but also go the extra mile to really help you understand this still fairly new space.
1. White Stratus
White Stratus is a Google Apps migration specialist and reseller based in the UK. Their blogs focus on 4 key topics: Cloud Migration, Cloud Integration, Cloud Management, Cloud Development.
What we like about their blog: Usefulness.
All their articles are genuinely helpful. For example, their post in July ‘Going ‘Beyond Google’ – How to Improve the ROI of Google Apps’ is a great post that gets down to the point and is very sensible.
2. Cloud Sherpas
Cloud Sherpas is one of the top Google Apps cloud service providers. They regularly blog about cloud computing and Google Apps to help mid-size and large enterprises migrate off legacy, on-premise messaging systems, including Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, and Novell GroupWise, to Google Apps for Business. Cloud Sherpas writers are also frequent guest bloggers on the Google Enterprise Blog.
What we like about their blog: Authenticity.
They strike a good balance between being informative while also proving they are thought leaders in the Google Apps space. You’ll notice they feature both experts in the Google Apps space as well as discuss webinars they co-hosted.
3. CloudAve
Just by visiting their site briefly, it’s immediately apparent that CloudAve lives and breathes cloud computing. On CloudAve you can expect to read about general commentary on business-related trends, tips and tricks for using the cloud, reviews of cloud-based productivity applications, detailed analysis of product releases and strategies to increase the uptake of SaaS.
What we like about their blog: Variety.
CloudAve spans topics from Enterprise 2.0 to Google Apps to Amazon features and even startup advice. You can expect that by subscribing to and/or regularly reading this blog you will get a wide variety of very smart and practical advice. If you are looking to follow the evolution of the cloud computing era, this is the blog to pay attention to.
4. GigaOm
If you attend any cloud-based event, you are probably already aware of GigaOM. If not, in short, they are one of the top providers of online media, events and research for global technology innovators. GigaOm is viewed as one of the most credible and insightful voices at the intersection of business and technology.
What we like about this blog: Currency.
The GigaOm blogs delivers on a daily basis technology news, analysis and opinions on topics ranging from broadband and online games to Web 2.0. They are one of those blogs that you can expect to live-blogging and/or recap popular cloud events.
5. Google Enterprise Blog
Of course, when we’re discussing popular yet niche Google Apps and cloud-based blogs to read, Google’s blog itself is a must on this list as they discuss enterprise-specific tips and features for their customers.
What we like about this blog: Authority.
The blog topics revolve around the general cloud ecosystem, Google Apps itself and updates about the Google ecosystem.
6. Small Business Trends
Small Business Trends is an interesting blog to go to for specific small and startup business research and advice. Most notably, they write regularly about virtual and cloud-based applications that are becoming increasingly popular with small businesses.
What we like about this blog: Focus.
Focused on international trends and issues impacting small businesses, this blog gives small business owners and employees alike best practices to succeed, as well as the tools they should use to facilitate this success.
7. TechRepublic
The TechRepublic blogs covers multiple IT angles, from the most useful business apps to futuristic research on tech and the cloud.
What we like about this blog: Practicality.
Every day TechRepublic publishes tips, tutorials, best practices, buying advice, and commentary on some of the most important issues facing today’s IT departments. What we like most is their desire to be helpful to the IT professional throughout his or her career. Posts such as ‘Top IT Skills Wanted for 2012’ to ‘What the IT Department Will Looks Like in 2015’ are both research-driven and realistic which we find most valuable when determining if a blog is worth reading.
8. Thinking Out Cloud
Thinking Out Cloud (we enjoy the play on words here) covers everything from cloud platforms to major industry announcements. When you visit this site, it is immediately apparent it’s very niche-focused.
What we like about this blog: Candidness.
Geva Perry, author of Thinking Out Cloud, is a very candid and honest writer. We appreciate his outright statements such as this one from his post ‘Totango Brings the Promise of Cloud a Step Further’, “Don’t get me wrong. Almost every company in the space, startup or established company, has some sort of “dashboard” for tracking KPIs and some aspects of customer usage, but these tools are usually done in a rush and as an afterthought.” It is the straightforward, outspoken writers that are following key industry developments that we really enjoy.
9. 37 Signals
A blog w
What we like about this blog: Voice.
Between their conversational tone to up-to-date announcements and continuous publishing of fresh articles, what is not to love about this blog? These guys (and gals) just get it in terms of being genuinely helpful and down to earth when it comes to writing for their readers.
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