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Desktop Two isn't the only company working in this arena. For example, the online desktop service Zimdesk is also designed to provide users with the familiar look and feel of a traditional desktop. Simon Martin, the company's technical director, says that this type of system is lightweight because, once an application programmed in Flash is open in the user's browser, it functions as any other Web page, and it doesn't put continued pressure on the server until it is saved.
Current online desktops were preceded by a system called Tarantella, launched in the late 1990s by the Santa Cruz Operation. Doug Michels, cofounder and former CTO of the Santa Cruz Operation, says that Tarantella intended to be "a universal gateway to the Internet way of computing." The idea didn't really catch on with the masses, in part due to a lack of Internet penetration at the time and the dot-com crash, Michels says. "I think the market is very ready for it right now."
Sun acquired Tarantella two years ago, and the system's heir is now known as Sun Secure Global Desktop. Although Sun Secure Global Desktop has much in common with systems such as Desktop Two, it is marketed to companies rather than to individuals. The system requires a central server running applications that it then transmits over the Internet to individual users. It can run any application, but the streamed applications require more resources from server and client than those required by most online desktops.
Michels says that he expects the younger generation to be more willing to adopt the computer-in-the-cloud idea than people were 10 years ago because of young people's familiarity and comfort with Web-mail systems and other forms of cloud computing currently in use. "That generation grew up with the notion that desktops don't matter," he says.
Although right now, the number of applications available through online desktops is limited, both Desktop Two and Zimdesk are working with developers to add applications to their systems.
It hopes the operating system will entice companies to use cloud computing technologies.
Nice start to ubiquitous computing
This is a nice start to the trend of ubiquitous computer. This trend in the computing technology frees up users from having home base computer with all their files and info.
Companies like PCnow and GoToMyPC enable individuals to access their home computer from any computer as long as their home computer is online. ZimDesk and DesktopTwo truly free one up from having a home computer. Once the speed catches up I am guessing this will be a trend in online secure computing in developing countries where computers are not own by the majority.
Shifting to ubiquitous computing will occur once more devices are internet compatiable, we are seeing this now with Apples Iphone.
Brian Glassman
Commercialization
Innovation Management
A call center where I work moved from PCs to the Sun thin client and total power consumption dropped over 10% from that change alone. The average PC draws 80-150 Watts, the Sun thin clients draw 4. Cooling for 2000 PCs is not trivial either. The noise difference between a large number of PCs and thin clients is stunning - all you can hear are voices on the phone. Cloud computing works for us.
Cloud computing is way more efficient from a materials point of view as well as the power aspect.
Try G.ho.st-Free Virtual Computer - Web OS
Check out G.ho.st (The Global Hosted Operating SysTem) at http://g.ho.st.
Unlike other web tops, G.ho.st is a real Web OS that bring a common desktop, file system and sign-in to the Web 2.0 applications.It provides 3GB of free online storage. G.ho.st is working hard to provide a fully Virtual Computer for anyone who wants to be mobile.
Post your feedback or suggest any features you would like to see at your G.ho.st virtual computer at http://g.host/forums
Thanks
Rami
Accessibility means allow people to use things. In computing, accessibility has grown led by the blind special needs and we know Flash technology is not accessible to them. Despite being possible to make computer applications with Flash it is essentially an animation technology. And screen readers which is what blind people use to use computer does not read animations.
To cut short, Flash is a problem and I think another solution should be thought.
Should check out AirSet's cloud computer at www.airset.com ... It was reviewed today on Lifehacker.com http://lifehacker.com/5112479/airset-creates-cloud-computers-for-your-data
To most companies, the desktop computers work just fine; there is no need to move the desktop to the cloud. However, many small businesses do need to move the servers to the cloud.
DriveHQ.com is one of the first few companies offering cloud storage and cloud IT services. It is now offering the version 5.0 Cloud Storage and Cloud IT Solution. Not only you can backup files to the cloud, you can also move your entire file server, FTP server, email server, web server and backup system to the cloud. You can create sub-users and sub-groups; you can set different user roles; share different folders to different users with different permissions. For a small business, Cloud-based storage, backup, sharing and Cloud IT Solution can save you a lot of cost, while offering better, more secure and reliable services that can be accessed from anywhere.
For more info, please visit: http://www.drivehq.com/. DriveHQ basic service is free.
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edfrizzell
1 Comment
desk top/lap top/palm top
Computer in the cloud, virtual keyboards and Ipod Touch put together seems to point to a new way of computing.
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teatiffany
1 Comment
Re: desk top/lap top/palm top
Here's another company in the U.S. that's doing the same thing: www.airset.com. They are providing people a free Web Computer for use through internet browsers. The UI is very intuitive for PC users. You can read a review on them here:
http://lifehacker.com/5112479/airset-creates-cloud-computers-for-your-data
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