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Is there a future for desktop applications.

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    #16
    Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

    Hi,

    If computing power will be less important, what business model will there be left for chip companies like intel and AMD where faster is better. The lifecycle of computers in companies will increase from 3 to 15 years since the browser is all we need ?

    I honestly think with this kind of premise, the hardware world and inevitably the software world, will shoot itself in the foot. I don't believe in Cloud computing, since I want to have control over my data instead of leaving it in the hands of some corporations (such as google) that can use it for their purposes whatever they may entail.

    Time will tell I would say but if computing power will only be necessary for playing games like Crysis 2 or Prototype, the future for hardware will surely be bleak.

    Cheers
    Steven

    Comment


      #17
      Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

      I think hardware vendors will concentrate on potable stuff like smartphones, netbooks etc (isnt this all ready heppening?) and the other side is that more powerfull servers will be needed.
      Cheers
      Mauricio

      Comment


        #18
        Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

        In my view the "cloud" environment has a major major drawback for some businesses as a result of which I can see it never working in some if not many areas.

        I am talking about that dreaded legal and often "stay in business" issue known as data protection.

        The legal requirements for the control of personal sensitive information means that in some industries they will NEVER store data somewhere where they do not have complete control.

        Take the financial services industry here in the UK. Recent legislative changes require the storage of records for LIFE. It used to be that records had to be kept for a few years after a contract or policy ended. The immediate effect of this is that the sheer volume of physical storage of paperwork is going up and up. It is however allowed for records to be stored electronically BUT the responsibility for the security of the data (in ANY format) lies with the registered individual or firm that sold or services that client.

        I am a registered individual (licenced by the Financial Services Authority) and there is no way am I gong to place myself in a vulnerable position of having data somewhere in internet land (and I have not even mentioned the other legal issues over storage of such data outside the borders of the European Union!)

        The document archive system I am developing therefore needs to be as secure as possible and involves the ongoing scanning and electronic storage of a massive amount of data. Yes this could be done via a web based system within an Intranet environment. But many such licensed individuals do not operate in such environments, working on stand alone systems. There is plenty of scope and life yet in desktop based systems.

        On a related note there have been several instances over here in recent times of laptops and disks/usb sticks being stolen containing sensitive personal data (often from public/government organisations. ) As a result of this we are being practically forced down the road of having whole disk encryption on all hard disks. That is not a cheap option at all!
        Glen Schild



        My Blog

        Comment


          #19
          Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

          I agree that the cloud isnt for every one. but that doesnt means that they wont be using servers or clusters of servers internally (intanet) and that they will be using Web Based software on their browser OS, I think that Is just a matter of time (not much time)

          *Google might be the next Microsoft

          On a related note there have been several instances over here in recent times of laptops and disks/usb sticks being stolen containing sensitive personal data (often from public/government organisations. ) As a result of this we are being practically forced down the road of having whole disk encryption on all hard disks. That is not a cheap option at all!
          This wouldnt be necesary if all the info was on an internal server
          Last edited by mmaisterrena; 06-18-2009, 11:16 AM.
          Cheers
          Mauricio

          Comment


            #20
            Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

            Originally posted by mmaisterrena View Post
            This wouldnt be necesary if all the info was on an internal server
            Sorry you are wrong. A recent case of a stolen server resulted in a very hefty fine because the data was not encrypted.
            Glen Schild



            My Blog

            Comment


              #21
              Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

              Is cheaper tu encrypt 1 hard drive than 1,000.
              Cheers
              Mauricio

              Comment


                #22
                Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                Originally posted by mmaisterrena View Post
                Is cheaper tu encrypt 1 hard drive than 1,000.
                That is very true and for those in that position fine, but many are individually registered and use laptops as they are needed.

                Nevertheless this is getting away from my main point which was that desktop requirements will be around for a long while yet.

                Kind regards

                Glen
                Glen Schild



                My Blog

                Comment


                  #23
                  Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                  The following article has appeared on the BBC web site today. The very last sentence of the article sums up why I take data protection VERY seriously. I guess this serves notice to all that develop applications on the web. I know the UK Data Protection laws are very stringent but I am sure they are equally tough in other locations!

                  news article
                  Glen Schild



                  My Blog

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                    Another 2 cents -
                    David Shaw
                    Manager of Media Services and User Support
                    Cleveland Museum of Art
                    Cleveland, Ohio

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                      Originally posted by glenschild View Post
                      The following article has appeared on the BBC web site today. The very last sentence of the article sums up why I take data protection VERY seriously. I guess this serves notice to all that develop applications on the web. I know the UK Data Protection laws are very stringent but I am sure they are equally tough in other locations!

                      news article
                      I can understand your point completely as it pertains to the internet. However, in reading the question posed at the beginning of this poll, I interpret it as which is more important for development purposes - the desktop tools or the browser based tools. As I mentioned in my previous post, too many people assume that browser based development tools are only for the INTERNET. That's absolutely incorrect! I read from your comments that this appears to be how you view these tools as well. But try thinking about what benefits/disadvantages are there if you use these tools for internal apps. What are your thoughts about this scenario?

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                        Originally posted by Doug Page View Post
                        The way I view things would make the above statement incorrect. You have used the term "web based" twice in this sentence inferring that this is all for the world wide web. This is where I think most people are making a mistake. This is all "browser based" and that does not mean that it needs to be used on the web.
                        .....

                        So hopefully everyone can stop thinking of WAS programming as just something for the internet and start thinking of it as just a different way to get the job done. One that is much more flexible than the tools we have been using to date.
                        I agree. I meant browser based.
                        Marcel

                        I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
                        ---- Confusius ----

                        Comment


                          #27
                          Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                          Originally posted by rleunis View Post
                          I think the poll is too black and white...
                          Yes, and as Peter further on the thread also stated is to biased, the people however interpreted it very well and the every response is welcome.
                          Marcel

                          I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
                          ---- Confusius ----

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                            Originally posted by Peter.Greulich View Post
                            Hi Marcel,

                            I haven't opted "in" to your poll. I feel you posed the questions a little one-sided. There is an inherent bias embedded in the questions. You are suggesting an "either/or" scenario. Maybe you didn't mean it that way, but that's the way the questions are stated. ...

                            I'm not criticizing you, just pointing out what I see as a polling flaw.
                            You are right. I made the poll late in the evening and the next morning after a good sleep I realized the same you stated. The next time I'll formulate the question more precise.

                            Your criticism is always welcome.
                            Marcel

                            I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
                            ---- Confusius ----

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                              Hi Doug

                              Yes I accept it has an internet slant. I can definitely see a place for browser based solutions in an intranet environment especially where many potential users are involved but I guess what I am really saying is that the demise of the desktop based applications is still a long way away!

                              There are people on this board still using the dos based Alpha Four, because it works! Smaller based businesses still have a need for standalone systems.

                              Don't get me wrong I am not anti WAS far from it, I am developing in that environment where appropriate and v10 os going to really advance things!

                              Regards

                              Glen
                              Glen Schild



                              My Blog

                              Comment


                                #30
                                Re: Is there a future for desktop applications.

                                Originally posted by FrankR View Post
                                There needed to be at least one more choice to the poll:

                                1. No, keep the desktop alive and increase the development at it.
                                2. Yes, stop desktop development and focus entirely on Web based solutions.

                                3. Going forward, focus more on the web side than the desktop side
                                Yes, as I told above already I agree that the poll could be better formulated.
                                Marcel

                                I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
                                ---- Confusius ----

                                Comment

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