Web desktop
A web desktop or webtop is a network application system for integrating web applications into a web based work space. It is a virtual desktop on the web, running in a web browser as software.
Web desktops often are characterized by an environment similar to that of Windows, Mac, or Linux, but are now considered to have much more functionality being dependent on the internet. Typical benefits include the ability to save work and settings over the internet rather than to the local desktop.
The term Webtop was first introduced by the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) in 1993 for a web-based interface to their UNIX operating system. The inventors are often credited as Andy Bovingdon and Ronald Record who both explored the concepts in different directions. The concept and technology originated from early commercial use of web server technology by SCO (SCO were the first OS vendor to include a web server), their X.desktop product line (obtained when they acquired IXI Limited in the UK, which was the first to have icons for URLs and an HTML-based help system) and the later Tarantella remote desktop technology which allowed real UNIX and Windows applications to be displayed within a web browser through the use of Java to form a true web based desktop or Webtop. [citation needed]
Webtop versus Desktop
Advantages
- Access to a personalized desktop from everywhere
- No need to install applications
Drawbacks
- Security: Due to the fact that all data is tranferred over the internet it might be possible that a hacker intercepts the connection and reads data
- High speed internet: When using a web based desktop the whole code used for visualisation (.js/.css files, flash player files, etc.) needs to be transferred to the local pc first so that it can be displayed.
Comparison of web desktops
The following tables compare general and technical information' for a number of web desktops. Please see the individual products' articles for further information and external links. This article is not all-inclusive or necessarily up-to-date.
| Name | Developer | Engine | Free | Support external applications | Graphical User Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| theWebtop | Atlantis Computing | AJAX | Yes (Beta) | Yes | Tab-based |
| DesktopTwo | Sapotek | Flash | Yes (Proprietary) | No | Windows-like |
| Edeskonline | eDesk Online Pvt. Ltd. | AJAX | For 3 months, then $24/year | Yes | Windows-like |
| EyeOS | eyeOS Team | AJAX | Yes (Open Source GPL) | Yes | Mac-like |
| Fenestela (French) | Websilog SARL | AJAX | No | Yes | Windows-like |
| G.ho.st | Ghost Inc | Flash | Yes | No | Windows-like |
| Goowy | Goowy Media, Inc. | Flash | Yes (Proprietary) | No | Windows+Mac-like |
| yourminis | Goowy Media, Inc. | Flash | Yes (Proprietary) | No | Tab-based |
| Ironbox | Oaesys Corp | AJAX | Yes/Subscription | Yes | Windows-like |
| Protopage | Protopage | AJAX | Yes | Yes | Tab-based |
| Purefect | Klorofil Project/Saltanera | PHP + AJAX | Yes (Open Source CPL) | Yes | Windows+Mac-like |
| Sea Drive | SEA Corporation | PHP + AJAX | Yes (Subscription Upgrades) | Yes | Windows+Mac-like |
| Virtual-OS | Advanced Webhosting Network | PHP + AJAX | Yes (Open Source MIT) | Yes | Windows-like |
| WebtopOS | WebtopOS Inc. | AJAX/J2EE | Yes (paid plan in development) | Yes | Windows-like |
| XinDesk | XIN | AJAX | Invitation Only (alpha) | Yes | Windows-like |
| YouOS | WebShaka, Inc. | AJAX | Yes (Proprietary) | Yes | OS/2-like |
| Netvibes | Netvibes Team | AJAX | Yes (Proprietary) | Yes | Tab-based |
| Oos | iCUBE Project | AJAX | Yes (Proprietary API: reBOX) | Yes | Windows-like |
| Orca Desktop | Team Orca/Fenestela | AJAX | Yes (Proprietary) | Yes | Windows-like |
| ESuite | Imagine | AJAX/.NET | No | Yes | Windows-like |
| Virtual OS | Virtual OS | PHP | No | Yes | Tab-Based |
| DoxBoard | DoxBoard | AJAX | Yes | Yes | Mac-like |
 | This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
See also
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