There is clearly a fuss about Google Wave.  People appear desperate for an invite to the 100,000 user trial as they assume it will be the next big thing.  For me it's a nice idea that will unfortunately not surmount my greatest issue for on-line collaboration - the corporate security policy.

Let's be clear, I'm a big fan of Google.  GMail has revolutionised the way I manage email and instant access without the need for synchronisation combined with excellent spam filtration thanks to my G1 Android/Google phone, has made email fun again after seeming as though it would be destined to drown in a sea of spam.  And then there's Google Docs - another great technology that's made sharing ideas and information so easy that I no longer think about the technical challenge of it. 

But I do run into a problem with Google Docs, GTalk etc when it comes to a couple of personal projects where I need to collaborate with others outside of my business.  Namely, their corporate networks just don't let them access any these cool tools.  And it's this problem that will be magnified when it comes to the more real time collaboration opportunities that Wave offers.  Although my associates are online, they just can't access any of the Google toys from their desks.

Wave will need a significant switch in some corporate security policies before it can be a truly useful tool for me at least.