Your desktop on any PC: the web application revolution

Why do we still store all our applications and data on our local PCs? It ties us to our machines, leaves our files vulnerable, and frankly it's such a last-millennium way to do things. Thankfully, since the advent of ubiquitous broadband, companies are starting to take real steps toward a world where accessing anything on your hard-drive will be as versatile as checking your webmail. Disk storage, applications, processing - everything could eventually be moved off your local PC, which would become merely a display terminal - and the model holds a lot of advantages. Gizmag takes a look at where we're at with the Web Application revolution.

Consider for a moment some of the problems that are caused by having all your data and applications centralized on your PC:

1) Your entire digital life is wiped out if there's a fire or serious HD failure; 2) Each time you upgrade your hardware, you have to transfer all your data to a new machine and reinstall all your applications; 3) You're tied to that PC if you want to use the bulk of your applications, even if you've got the most sophisticated mobile device; 4) If you wish to use a data file away from your PC, you have to create multiple copies, which can lead to version control issues. 5) Even if you want to use a piece of software only once, you have to pay for a full license.

And how about the problems software companies have to deal with?

1) Every PC is different, so each piece of software needs to be able to run on a multitude of different system configurations 2) Users are responsible for their own setup and system admin, leading to all sorts of support issues 3) Each time a piece of software is upgraded, it merely adds to the number of versions out there that people are using, complicating support processes 4) Getting fix patches out to software users is a slow and unreliable process 5) Trial demos, one of the best ways to hook new customers, require massive downloads or physical CD/DVD shipping, both a disincentive. 6) Just about anything that can be put on a DVD can be cracked and pirated.

Clearly the current system is a compromise - but perhaps the best compromise we've had access to in recent years. But the incredibly fast uptake of high-speed, wide-pipe broadband in developed countries, and a few key moves by forward-thinking software companies are starting to produce a new model of personal computing that has been anticipated for many years.

Currently we view our PCs as our central storage and processing units, and our connections to the Web as being a gateway to the broader browsing, gaming and communications world. But what if we could move everything off our local PCs and merely access it online? The model is already up and working with a few key applications; big-storage webmail accounts like Google's Gmail mean your email is available from any device with a browser and a Web hook-up. Compared to a desktop-based client it's extremely simple, easy to use, convenient and very comparable in its feature level. Once you're used to a truly great webmail app, it's very hard to go back.

Then there's the online data storage companies, which are growing both in size and number, and starting to include some very forward-thinking ideas. Take FilesAnywhere for example, which is a fairly cheap online storage service that aims to take data off the PC and store it safely on secure Web-accessible servers. It provides an online document viewer, meaning that documents, spreadsheets and presentations can be easily viewed even on PCs that don't have the Microsoft Office software, and a very handy version control unit.

Online Applications

...continued