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{{Short description|Desktop environment that runs in a web browser}}

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.

{{Update|part=Statistical information|reason=Most statistics in article are dated.|date=January 2023}}

A '''web desktop''' or '''webtop''' is a [[desktop environment]] embedded in a [[web browser]] or similar [[Client (computing)|client application]]. A webtop integrates [[web application]]s, [[web service]]s, [[Client–server model|client–server applications]], [[application server]]s, and applications on the local client into a desktop environment using the [[desktop metaphor]]. Web desktops provide an environment similar to that of [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], or a [[graphical user interface]] on [[Unix]] and Linux systems. It is a virtual desktop running in a web browser. In a webtop the applications, data, files, configuration, settings, and access privileges reside remotely over the network. Much of the computing takes place remotely. The browser is primarily used for display and input purposes.

The terms "web desktop" and "webtop" are distinct from web operating system, a network [[operating system]] such as [[TinyOS]] or [[distributed computing|distributed]] operating system such as [[Inferno (operating system)|Inferno]]. In popular use, web desktops are sometimes referred to incorrectly as web operating systems or simply WebOS.

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.

==History==

In the context of a web [[Desktop computer|desktop]], the term Webtop was first introduced by the [[Santa Cruz Operation]] (SCO) in 1994 for a web-based interface to their Unix operating system. This application was based on the provisional application entitled "The Adaptive Internet Protocol System" filed 13 November 1997, serial number 60/065,521 and is the U.S. patent for the technology used in the [[Tarantella, Inc.|Tarantella]] Webtop.<ref name="uspto1">{{US patent reference |number=6,104,392 |issue-date=15 August 2000 |inventor=Shaw, et al. |title=Method of displaying an application on a variety of client devices in a client/server network}}</ref> Andy Bovingdon <ref>Andrew J Bovingdon presented a Human Computer Interaction poster on the subject of Webtops at WWW2 in Chicago, 1994 entitled "Adding a new dimension to the desktop", https://web.archive.org/web/20041231084638/http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/SDG/IT94/Agenda/Posters-received.html</ref> and Ronald Joe Record, who both explored the concepts in different directions, are often credited as the inventors.<ref>The Santa Cruz Operation Technical White Paper, Tarantella – The Universal Application Server, July, 1997</ref> The initial SCO Webtop, developed by Record, utilized a Netscape Navigator plugin to display applications in a browser window via [[TightVNC]]. A trademark application for ''SCO Webtop'' was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on November 8, 1996. To avoid confusion with the more complex technology incorporated into the Tarantella Webtop SCO abandoned it on 24 December 1997.<ref>See [http://uspto.gov uspto.gov], click on "Trademarks -> Search "TM Database", and perform a Basic search for "Webtop". The only earlier occurrences in both the Patent and Trademark databases are for systems unrelated to a web desktop context.</ref>

The term Webtop was first introduced by the [[Santa Cruz Operation]] (SCO) in 1993 for a web-based interface to their [[UNIX]] operating system. Andy Bovingdon and Ronald Record, who both explored the concepts in different directions, are often credited as the inventors.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} The initial concept was launched as the [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3649/is_199810/ai_n8812735 Tarantella Webtop]. This technology originated from early commercial use of web server technology by SCO (SCO was the first OS vendor to include a commercial web server. They delivered the first pizza to be purchased online in collaboration with Pizza Hut), 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). Tarantella allowed real UNIX and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] applications to be displayed within a web browser through the use of Java to form a true web based desktop or Webtop. <ref name="tarantella">[http://www.linspire.com/lindows_products_details.php?package_name=tarantella Tarantella Remote Desktop Client]</ref>

Bovingdon's three tiered architecture (TTA) concept was launched as the [[Tarantella, Inc.|Tarantella]] Webtop. This technology originated from early commercial use of web server technology by [[Santa Cruz Operation|SCO]]. the first OS vendor to include a commercial web server, [[NCSA HTTPd]], and commercial [[web browser]], [[Mosaic (web browser)|NCSA Mosaic]]. Their [[X.desktop]] product line, obtained when they acquired [[IXI Limited]] in the UK, was the first to have icons for URLs (controlled via the Deskshell<ref>[http://osr600doc.sco.com/en/man/html.XC/deskshell.XC.html DeskShell]</ref> scripting language) and an HTML-based help system, named DeskHelp, which extended the [[Mosaic (web browser)|NCSA Mosaic]] [[web browser]] to include APIs and scripting linked to the [[X.desktop]] product for interactive control. The [[IXI Limited]] scripting language based on [[Python (programming language)|Python]] was later replaced with [[JavaScript]]. [[Tarantella, Inc.|Tarantella]] allowed real [[Unix]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] applications to be displayed within a web browser through the use of [[Java (programming language)|Java]] to form a true web based desktop or Webtop.

The first SCO Webtop releases were part of [http://http://www.sco.com/skunkware/relnotes.html SCO Skunkworks] before being integrated into OpenServer version 5 and [http://docsrv.sco.com/Webtop/Webtophome.html UnixWare 7].

The first SCO Webtop releases were part of [[SCO Skunkware]]<ref name="skunkware">[http://www.sco.com/skunkware/relnotes.html SCO Skunkware Release Notes]</ref> before being integrated into [[SCO OpenServer]] version 5 and UnixWare 7.<ref>[http://docsrv.sco.com/Webtop/Webtophome.html UnixWare]</ref> Tarantella was subsequently purchased by [[Sun Microsystems]] and integrated into their [[Oracle Secure Global Desktop|Sun Secure Global Desktop]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2005-07/sunflash.20050713.1.xml |title=Sun Microsystems Completes Tarantella Acquisition |access-date=2008-04-04 |date=2005-07-13 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Byte magazine referred to the Webtop as a [http://www.byte.com/art/9707/sec5/art1.htm NUI (Network User Interface)].

[[Byte (magazine)|Byte magazine]] referred to the Webtop as a ''network user interface'' (NUI).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halfhill |first1=Tom R. |date=July 1997 |url=http://www.byte.com/art/9707/sec5/art1.htm |title=Good-Bye, GUI....Hello, NUI |website=[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]].com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990420054209/http://www.byte.com/art/9707/sec5/art1.htm |archive-date=20 April 1999 |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

[http://www.nivio.com Nivio] then took a full windows desktop with full user ability to installs applications on demand on a monthly rental and put it online with an offline device as well if the user never had a physical machine; the Nivio Platform was the first Desktop-over-IP that allowed users to actually be able to move from the traditional PC model.

In June 2011, [[Google]] released an operating system for web connection named [[ChromeOS]] and several 11-12" netbooks from [[Acer Inc.|Acer]] and [[Samsung]] have implemented the system. It made up a useful fraction (~10%) of 2012 netbook sales.

==Webtop versus Desktop==

'''== Advantages''' ==

; Convenience: A personalized desktop on every supported client device

; Mobility: Access your desktop anywhere there is a supported client device

; Session management: Server-side session management allows roaming users to access restored sessions from anywhere

; Software management:

* Ensures all users are running the same current versions of all applications

* Updates and patches need only be applied to the server - no need to update multiple clients

* No need for software to distribute software over the network

; Security:

* Less prone to typical attacks, viruses, worms, unpatched clients, vulnerabilities

* Sensitive data stored on secure servers rather than scattered across multiple potentially unprotected and vulnerable clients (e.g. smart phones and laptops)

* Encrypted transmission of all data between server and clients (e.g. [[https]])

* Software Management features (above) accommodate quick and easy application of security advisories on server side

* Webtop administrator can control which applications and data each user is allowed to access

; High availability:

* From a single device access Windows, UNIX, Linux, and Mainframe applications, all at the same time

* Minimal hardware requirements for client devices (except for rendered technologies such as Flash/Flex/SilverLight)

* Less downtime - robust server system more easily protected and less likely to fail than multiple client desktops

* Fault tolerance - if a client device fails for any reason simply replace it with any other supported client device without loss of data, configuration, preferences, or application access

== Drawbacks ==

* Access to a personalized desktop from any internet enabled device on any platform.

; Security: Because all data is transferred over the internet, it might be possible for a cracker to intercept the connection and read data. Although with the use of [[https]] 256-bit encryption and [[access control list]]s, this can be safe-guarded.

* No need to install applications.

; Speed: When using a web desktop the whole code used for visualization (.js/.css files, Flash player files, etc.) needs to be transferred to the local computer, so that it can be displayed. Further, network latency or congestion can intermittently slow webtop activity. Offline application storage can mitigate this issue.<ref>[[Web app|Web Application]]</ref><ref>[http://diveintohtml5.org/offline.html How offline application cache works]</ref>

* Application sharing among users located at different remote locations.

; Application features: Some webtop-delivered applications may not contain the full feature set of their traditional desktop counterparts.

; Network Access: Web desktops require access to a network. If a client device is misconfigured or the network is unreachable, then the web desktop is unavailable.

; Controlled access: In some webtop implementations and deployments, a user's access to some applications and data can be restricted. This is also viewed as an advantage of webtops but can be viewed as a drawback from the user's perspective.

; Central control: The normal webtop user is unable to install additional applications or update existing applications. Updates typically must be performed by an administrator on the server side. Webtop users depend on the webtop administrator. In contrast, in a traditional desktop environment, a user can fix and/or break the system by installing new software or updates. This can also be seen as an advantage for webtops.

== Comparison of web desktops ==

'''Drawbacks'''

The following tables compare general and technical information for several web desktops.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"

* 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. Although with the use of https 256 bit encryption and [[access control lists]], this can be easily safe-guarded.

* 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 computer, 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.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center; width: 100%;"

|-

! style="width:12em" | Name

! Browser support

! Developer

! Engine

! Free

! License

! Support external3rd party<br/>applications

! Productivity<br/>suite

! Graphical User Interface

! [[Graphical user interface|Graphical<br/>user interface]]

! Downloadable to Web Server

! Downloadable<br/>to Web server

! Easy To Use

! Active

|-

! {{rh}} | [[EXo WebOS]]

| eXo Platform

| AJAX

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes (portlets and widgets)

| Mac-like/Vista-like

| Yes

| Yes

|-

! {{rh}} | [[G.ho.st]]

| [[Internet Explorer|IE]]6+, [[Firefox]]2+, [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]]. Partial: [[Google Chrome|Chrome]] & [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]]

| Ghost Inc

| Ghost Inc ("G.ho.st")

| Flash

| [[SWF|Flash]] + [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]] (mobile version is WAP)

| Yes (Alpha)

| {{no}}

| Proprietary

| [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]

| Yes

| {{Yes}}

| Windows-like

| Yahoo! Zimbra, Zoho, Google Docs, ILoveIM

| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-like

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|-

! {{rh}} | [[GCOE X]]

| Vista Enterprises

| Flash

| Yes (Subscription Upgrades)

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows 2000/Solaris-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[atoolo]]

| atoolo GmbH

| AJAX/J2EE

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Coreworx On]]

| Coreworx / GC07

| ASP/AJAX

| No

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[CorneliOS]]

| The CorneliOS Project

| Perl/AJAX

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Desktop On Demand]]

| Desktop On Demand

| Java / [[NX_technology|NX]]

| Yes (Beta)

| Proprietary

| No

| Linux+Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Desktoptwo]]

| Sapotek

| Flash

| Yes (Beta)

| Proprietary

| No

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[DoxBoard]]

| DoxBoard

| AJAX

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | ESuite

| Imagine

| AJAX/.NET

| No

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[EyeOS]]

| eyeOS Team

| AJAX

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Mac-like

| Yes

| Yes

|-

! {{rh}} | [[AstraNOS]]

| Varol Okan

| AJAX / QooxDoo / PHP /

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Linux / Windows / Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | Fenestela (French)

| Websilog SARL

| AJAX

| No

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Glide OS]]

| IE7, Firefox 3, Safari, Chrome

| TransMedia

| TransMedia

| AJAX + Flash + Java + .NET + C++

| [[SWF|HTML5]]

| Yes (Subscription Upgrades)

| {{Yes}} (30 GB limit)

| Proprietary

| From Glide Community

| No

| Glide Write, Glide Presenter, Glide Crunch, Photo Editor, Email

| Independent

| [[macOS]]+[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-like

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|-

! {{rh}} | Goowy

| Goowy Media, Inc.

| Flash

| Yes (Proprietary)

| Proprietary

| No

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[MyGOYA Online Desktop]]

| MAGIX AG

| Flash

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| MyGOYA

|-

! {{rh}} | [[netDesktop]]

| HaXoR Net

| JavaScript

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Atari GEM

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Netvibes]]

| Netvibes Team

| AJAX

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Tab-based

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Nivio]]

| IE7, IE8, Google Chrome, FF 4

| Nivio Team

| Sachin Dev Duggal, Saurabh Dhoot

| Windows

| In development

| Yes for 30 days (Beta)

| {{No}}

| Proprietary

| {{Yes}}

| Yes

| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Online OS]]

| FF 1.5 and higher, IE7

! {{rh}} | [[Oos]]

| iCUBE Network Solutions

| [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]]

| AJAX + Java

| {{Yes }}

| Proprietary API: reBOX

| Yes

| Windows [[Windows 2000|2000]]-like

|-

! {{rh}} | Orca Desktop

| Team Orca/Fenestela

| AJAX

| Yes

| Proprietary

| {{Yes}}

| Yes

| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-like

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Open-Xchange]] (OX) App Suite

| FF, IE 9/10, Chrome, Safari

! {{rh}} | [[Peepel]]

| Open-Xchange

| Peepel Technology

| [[JavaScript]], [[HTML5]]

| PHP/AJAX

| {{Yes (Beta)}}

| Backend: [[GNU General Public License#Version 2|GPLv2]] Frontend: [[Creative Commons]]

| Proprietary

| No{{Yes}}

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Purefect]]

| Klorofil Project/Saltanera

| PHP + AJAX

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Customizable

| Windows+Mac-like

| {{Yes}}

|-

| {{Yes}}

! {{rh}} | Protopage

| Protopage

| AJAX

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Tab-based

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Oracle Secure Global Desktop]]

| Any browser with a [[Java Runtime Environment|JRE]]

! {{rh}} | [[Psych Desktop]]

| [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]]

| Psych Designs

| [[Adaptive Internet Protocol|AIP]]

| PHP/MySQL/AJAX

| Yes {{No}}

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Independant

|-

! {{rh}} | Sea Drive

| SEA Corporation

| PHP + AJAX

| Yes (Subscription Upgrades)

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows+Mac-like

|-

! {{rh}} | theWebtop

| Atlantis Computing

| AJAX

| Yes (Beta)

| Proprietary

| {{Yes}}

| Yes

| Customizable

| Tab-based

| {{No}}

|-

! {{rh}} | [[VMware View]]

| IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome

! {{rh}} | [[Virtual-OS]]

| [[VMware]]

| Advanced Webhosting Network

| [[PCoIP]], [[Remote Desktop Protocol|RDP]], [[HTML5]]

| PHP + AJAX

| Yes {{No}}

| Open Source MIT

| Yes

| Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Virtual OS]]

| Virtual OS

| PHP

| No

| Proprietary

| {{Yes}}

| Yes

| Customizable

| Tab-Based

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

|-

! {{rh}} | [[ZeroPC]]

| IE 8/9, Firefox v12.0+, Chrome, Safari

! {{rh}} | [[WebDows]]

| ZeroDesktop, Inc.

| Codevendor

| HTML, HTML5, JavaScript, Java Applet, Ajax

| AJAX + JS + ASP.NET

| {{Yes (Beta)}}

| Proprietary

| {{Yes}}

| Thinkfree Office, Cloud Storage Mashup, IM

| Windows-like

| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-like

|-

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|}

==Pastiche and emulation==

! {{rh}} | WebtopOS

Many websites have made pastiches of retro operating system desktops, some by hobbyists.

| WebtopOS Inc.

== See also ==

| AJAX/J2EE

* [[Comparison of remote desktop software]]

| Yes (paid plan in development)

* [[Hosted desktop]]

| Proprietary

* [[Online office suite]]

| Yes

* [[Rich Internet application]]

| Windows-like

* [[Virtual Network Computing]]

|-

! {{rh}} | [[XinDesk]]

| XIN

| AJAX

| Invitation Only (alpha)

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[YouOS]]

| WebShaka, Inc.

| AJAX

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| OS/2-like

|-

! {{rh}} | yourminis

| Goowy Media, Inc.

| Flash

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| Tab-based

|-

! {{rh}} | [[ZKDesktop]]

| Jaeger Technologies

| Java/AJAX

| Yes

| Open Source GPL

| Yes

| Windows-like

|-

! {{rh}} | [[Octopus]]

| 4NET Plus

| Java/AJAX/2fast4NET unique technology

| Yes

| Proprietary

| Yes

| ANY OS, Independant

|-

|}

== Notes ==

{{list-stub}}

{{Reflist}}

==See alsoReferences ==

{{Refbegin}}

* [[Web operating system]]

* [http://www.networkcomputing.com/1101/1101sp1.html SCO Tarantella Offers New Twist On an Old Thin-Client Dance], "Network Computing Magazine", Mark Andrew Seltzer, January 24, 2000

* [[Rich Internet Application]]

* [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,32022-page,1/article.html Ditch That Desktop for a Webtop], [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]], October 16, 2000

* [http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/fa-sco.htm SCO Company History], Operating System Documentation Project

* [http://www.news.com/2100-1001-222044.html SCO revamps UnixWare with Linux features], [[CNET Networks|CNET News.com]], February 23, 1999

* [http://www.ncns.com/news/2/showcase.html SCO Showcases Latest In Network Computing for Real-World Environments], Network Computing News, April 29, 1997

{{Refend}}

==ReferencesExternal links==

*[https://windows96.net/ "''Windows 96''" Satirical site]

[http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/24/smbusiness/business2_nextnet_webtop/index.htm The Next Net 25: The Webtop - Mar. 1, 2006]

*[http://win32.run/]

*[https://simone.computer/webdesktops "''Simone's Web Desktops''" A large directory of web desktops]

==Notes==

<references/>

[[deCategory:Web Desktop environments]]

[[fr:Webtop]]

[[it:Web desktop]]

[[pt:Webtop]]