Monday, August 27, 2007

The Personal Computer Has Ceased to Exist

Seriously...

I am baffled at the nascent web applications that are simply creating virtual working spaces, thus enabling users to work seamlessly anywhere they go. Personalization is no longer in the machine you are using (at home, office, or school), but on the Internet, allowing users to carry their persona wherever they go.

Applications such as Netvibes were incredibly impressive; a manifestation of the capabilities of Ajax and how it would transform the Internet experience forever. Yet it took me a while to figure out the purpose of these sites, until just recently, when I came across Schmedley (http://www.schmedley.com/). With a stunning visual interface and incredibly useful and simple widgets, it was almost a replica of my Mac's desktop (with dock, animation effects and all).


But, why would anyone replicate a computer desktop? Why would I go on to the Internet to simply login to my desktop?

Along came Jooce (http://www.jooce.com/ still on Beta testing) and all answers were clear. What developers have figured out is that users (such as myself) are no longer attached to a piece of equipment. I for one work simultaneously in three computers at home, plus one at the office, and it is quite the challenge figuring things out from one place to another. My bookmarks are all over the place, and I can't bring myself to use de.lic.ious... (tip to them: create an import bookmarks function).

This creates issues such as files you need left at the computer at home when you need them at the office; or email addresses in the computer downstairs when your are comfortably typing away on your bed. And while you could probably keep your address book online and your files could be uploaded to a service such as XDrive (from AOL); a central desktop giving you access to it all is definitely more comfortable and a much better user experience than going to multiple different sites.

Another great use is to share computers within a household. Instead of creating multiple user accounts that may slow down the system (particularly when users forget to log off and leave resources in use), utilizing a Web OS can be a more efficient alternative.

The main foreseeable problem is however: how are these systems going to profit? Almost certainly they will all try and tap into the already overcrowded waters of online advertising; but the nuisance may be a detriment to attracting and retaining users. Potentially subscription services will start showing up, with increased server space for a few extra bucks. And likely intelligence gathering to sell consumer behaviour information to marketing companies is an option.

The revenue model can be figured out while there are users interested in the solution. OS makers (Microsoft and Apple) should worry about the future. In years where the newest operating system, Windows Vista, requires more computer resources than a Hummer needs gas to travel across America; a more efficient and resource conscious solution may be a big threat.

At the present pace, it won't be long before computers only require a simple web browser.
The war between desktop applications and online solutions is nothing new. Years ago Netscape (the company) tried to beat Microsoft with a simple browser capable of providing desktop-like applications. The end favoured Microsoft, but this happened when Internet access was much slower than broadband access and when developers were still coding in older algorithms. Now Ajax and High Speed just make web applications comparatively efficient, and in some instances even faster than some of their desktop piers.

With a web based operating system and an increasing number of web applications and widgets to choose from, the future of the personal computers is questionable. Maybe the world of the future will be one where we'll share our machines without the fear of others accessing our personal files.

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