Google recently added a welcome feature to Google Docs, its free Web-based office productivity tool set, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation apps. It's called Google Docs Offline, and as its name suggests, the feature enables you to edit Google documents without being connected to the Internet.

Third-party workarounds, such as one that syncs OpenOffice.org documents to Google Docs, have already made it possible to work with Google Docs without an Internet connection. But Google Docs Offline eliminates the need for such workarounds. The feature makes Google Docs an easy-to-use, viable alternative to Microsoft Office desktop software for frequent fliers or anyone who must work at times without Internet access.

There are other advantages to working with Google Docs, too, such as free online document backup. I've been using Google Docs online and off for several weeks now. Overall, I'm impressed--though I'm not ready to cut the Microsoft Office cord just yet.