Forbes has listed the best web-based computer applications for small businesses. So who needs Microsoft when you have free alternatives online? Forbes scoured the Internet for the best Ajax-based sites in six categories: calendars, e-mail, information managers, spreadsheets, desktops (known in the Ajax world as webtops) and word processors.

So who are the winners and runners up according to Forbes article? Below is the complete list. Expect independent reviews from myuninstalledlife.com within the near future so come back soon for additional links in this post:

Calendars:
The Winner: Google Calendar
The Runner-Up: 30 boxes
Also available: CalendarHub, Kiko Calendar

E-mail:
The Winner: Gmail
The Runner-Up: Yahoo! Mail
Also available: AOL Mail, Windows Live Mail

Information Managers:
The Winner: Google Notebook
The Runner-Up: Backpack
Also available: Voo2do, TimeTracker

Webtops (“Web Desktops”):
The Winner: Pageflakes and YouOS
The Runner-Up: Goowy
Also available: Protopage, Windows Live

Word Processors:
The Winner: Zoho Writer
The Runner-Up: Writely
Also available: ajaxWrite, Writeboard

In most cases – I couldn’t more than agree! Google is really getting there but on the Word Processors category they simply have to considered themselves beaten by Zoho Writer – for now.