Will Web Desktop Dominate in the Future?

By Young | Published: November 12, 2009

Imaging that you are using someone else’s computer in the library, in the bar, or in the hotel, and you can access your computer’s document, photos, videos and all other files.

Or imaging that you are doing the same thing with your mobile phone.

Is that cool?

The imagination will come true when you use a Web Desktop.

1. So, what is web desktop?

The definition of web desktop from Wikipedia is as below:

A web desktop or webtop is a desktop environment embedded in a web browser or similar client application.

Web desktop is virtual and different from the PC desktop, it is able to be accessed from any computer or mobile phone anywhere.

2. Why people need a web desktop?

Besides you are able to put all your files on a web hosting, and to preview or even to edit them on the web desktop directly without downloading, there are some other specific benefits from using a web desktop, such as:

To avoid information missing if your PC is stolen.
No need to carry the heavy PC when you are traveling.
Whether you are using a computer or a mobile phone, it doesn’t matter, only if you have a browser with internet access.

3. How many web desktops are there now?

Wikipedia has introduced 12 web desktops, but among which only below 5 are available for uploading files:

Among the above 5 web desktop, the most powerful should be Ghost, since it offers 15 GB file storage, multiple language support and mobile phone access.

4. Will Ghost or other web desktops dominate in the future?

Since it is not able to install and play the CS game, web desktops are not popular at present. But will they dominate in the feature? I think they will, since it is excited when you can control all your computer files from any other computer or mobile phone anywhere. But it may be a long time, and I think the web desktop won’t dominate in the future unless they become a virtual PC, which means it will be nearly a copy of your computer with at least below features:

Larger file storage.
More powerful application system so that you can play CS on it.
Compatible with any operating system of computers or mobile phones.

And meanwhile, some features of those exist web desktops may be not necessary, such as RSS reader ( since I have Google Reader), Mail service (since I have Gmail), Calender (since I have Google Calendar). An ideal web desktop should let users to install all the applications just as they do in their computers.

Now, I am imaging to play the CS game installed in the web desktop with my mobile phone, do you think this imagination will come true?

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Dynasty Web

I think this is a brilliant idea, but I don't think that this web desktop program would dominate the future because most people carry their laptops. It would be great for emergencies in case you lose or damage your laptop and you need information at that time. I think it is a great idea because the times when I don't have my flash drive with me and don't have my laptop, I wish I had access to this. This will help me in the future. Thanks.
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Young

@Dynasty Web You have explained the usage of the web desktop well, web desktop is certainly not a must have service, but a substitute. You back up your whole laptop in a web desktop, which you can access and manage from any computer or mobile phone, and do what you want just as you are using your laptop, that's the reason why I like web desktop, but not much at present, maybe in the future.

Tamahome Jenkins

My previous two employers blocked access to services like these, and now that I work from home, I always have my stuff with me. I could see some value in the future (no more lost laptops on business trips), but I don't know that they'll dominate. There's still something to be said for ownership and control, which is something you just don't get in the cloud.
.-= Tamahome Jenkins´s last blog ..Your Weekend Reading Assignment =-.

@Tamahome Jenkins For the ownership and control, I think Web Desktops are same as web hosting, no matter how great the web hosting is, you had better back up your stuff in somewhere else.

jan geronimo

Web desktop is good for highly mobile people. It's good for bloggers and people who collaborate on projects online. I'd give it a shot when it becomes available to me.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.

@jan geronimo Ghost is workable for my blackberry now, but the main function for Ghost or other web desktops are just to store files, far away from the application usage. So it may be quite a long time when it will be available for you. :-)

Rod Macbeth

I have to disagree with them ever being dominant as I suspect most people prefer their files, etc close to home.

Also, I very much doubt that, overall, there's that much people that just HAVE to access their files from someone else's machine.

Moreover, accessing secure files from computers located in places like coffee shops and the sorts is the most dangerous thing you could ever do. They are as many times as not loaded with malware and other nasty things.

Why take the risk when there's laptops and other cheap storage options?

Cheers,
Rod
.-= Rod Macbeth´s last blog ..My Resignation As An Adult =-.

@Rod Macbeth Thanks for your comments. Maybe you are right that people prefer to keep files at home, but people maybe also want to back up those files, and web desktops will be a good choice for you to do that, not only you can back up easily, but also you can manage them as you do in your computer.

And even though you are right that few people have to use someone else's computer, web desktops will be still interesting if you can access from your mobile phone.

Security surely should be consider when you are use someone else's computer, but it should be avoid if you do not keep your account information there and clear all the cookies when sign out, that's why some people still go to the cyber bar.

Will Web Desktop Dominate in the Future?

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