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April 26, 2007
"Desktop v browser" distinction
"Desktop v browser" distinction: Brent Simmons points out that the argument is becoming moot: "The most recent is the prediction that desktop apps are dead, that soon everything will be a web app. I actually believe that's correct, in a way -- you're going to see fewer and fewer desktop apps that know nothing about the internet." JavaScript, Plugins, and network-aware desktop apps all started at the same time, late95-early96, and now they're finally reaching maturity and merging. Brent also has the key methodology to evaluating such technologies today: "Where does the code run? What kind of code is allowed to run? What kind of resources can the code access?" This determines all. For making tech choices there's a variant: "What types of experiences do you need to deliver, how much will it cost your audience to view it, and how much will it cost you to develop, test, and maintain it?" [via Nick Bradbury]
Posted by JohnDowdell at April 26, 2007 03:12 PM
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Comments
I believe that internet-aware or active desktop apps will start to become the norm, or be completely replaced by browser-based apps in some cases. However, Google's recent troubles with data loss show that more attention needs to be paid to user data backups for wider adoption to take place. Otherwise, that implicit trust contract is broken and very difficult to regain.
Posted by: Brett Walker at April 27, 2007 01:02 AM