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.
History
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.[citation needed] The initial concept was launched as the 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 Windows applications to be displayed within a web browser through the use of Java to form a true web based desktop or Webtop. [1]
The first SCO Webtop releases were part of SCO Skunkworks before being integrated into OpenServer version 5 and UnixWare 7.
Byte magazine referred to the Webtop as a NUI (Network User Interface).
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.
Webtop versus Desktop
Advantages
- Access to a personalized desktop from any internet enabled device on any platform.
- No need to install applications.
- Application sharing among users located at different remote locations.
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. 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.
| Name | Developer | Engine | Free | License | Support external applications | Graphical User Interface | Downloadable to Web Server | Easy To Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXo WebOS | eXo Platform | AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes (portlets and widgets) | Mac-like/Vista-like | Yes | Yes |
| G.ho.st | Ghost Inc | Flash | Yes (Alpha) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| GCOE X | Vista Enterprises | Flash | Yes (Subscription Upgrades) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows 2000/Solaris-like | ||
| atoolo | atoolo GmbH | AJAX/J2EE | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| Coreworx On | Coreworx / GC07 | ASP/AJAX | No | Proprietary | Yes | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| CorneliOS | The CorneliOS Project | Perl/AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| Desktop On Demand | Desktop On Demand | Java / NX | Yes (Beta) | Proprietary | No | Linux+Windows-like | ||
| Desktoptwo | Sapotek | Flash | Yes (Beta) | Proprietary | No | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| DoxBoard | DoxBoard | AJAX | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Mac-like | ||
| ESuite | Imagine | AJAX/.NET | No | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| EyeOS | eyeOS Team | AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Mac-like | Yes | Yes |
| AstraNOS | Varol Okan | AJAX / QooxDoo / PHP / | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Linux / Windows / Mac-like | ||
| Fenestela (French) | Websilog SARL | AJAX | No | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| Glide OS | TransMedia | AJAX + Flash + Java + .NET + C++ | Yes (Subscription Upgrades) | Proprietary | No | Independent | ||
| Goowy | Goowy Media, Inc. | Flash | Yes (Proprietary) | Proprietary | No | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| MyGOYA Online Desktop | MAGIX AG | Flash | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | MyGOYA | ||
| netDesktop | HaXoR Net | JavaScript | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Atari GEM | ||
| Netvibes | Netvibes Team | AJAX | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Tab-based | ||
| Nivio | Nivio Team | Windows | Yes for 30 days (Beta) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows | ||
| Oos | iCUBE | AJAX + Java | Yes | Proprietary API: reBOX | Yes | Windows 2000-like | ||
| Orca Desktop | Team Orca/Fenestela | AJAX | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| Peepel | Peepel Technology | PHP/AJAX | Yes (Beta) | Proprietary | No | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| Purefect | Klorofil Project/Saltanera | PHP + AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| Protopage | Protopage | AJAX | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Tab-based | ||
| Psych Desktop | Psych Designs | PHP/MySQL/AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Independant | ||
| Sea Drive | SEA Corporation | PHP + AJAX | Yes (Subscription Upgrades) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows+Mac-like | ||
| theWebtop | Atlantis Computing | AJAX | Yes (Beta) | Proprietary | Yes | Tab-based | ||
| Virtual-OS | Advanced Webhosting Network | PHP + AJAX | Yes | Open Source MIT | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| Virtual OS | Virtual OS | PHP | No | Proprietary | Yes | Tab-Based | ||
| WebDows | Codevendor | AJAX + JS + ASP.NET | Yes (Beta) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| WebtopOS | WebtopOS Inc. | AJAX/J2EE | Yes (paid plan in development) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| XinDesk | XIN | AJAX | Invitation Only (alpha) | Proprietary | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| YouOS | WebShaka, Inc. | AJAX | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | OS/2-like | ||
| yourminis | Goowy Media, Inc. | Flash | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | Tab-based | ||
| ZKDesktop | Jaeger Technologies | Java/AJAX | Yes | Open Source GPL | Yes | Windows-like | ||
| Octopus | 4NET Plus | Java/AJAX/2fast4NET unique technology | Yes | Proprietary | Yes | ANY OS, Independant |
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |