Comments on: Poll: Web Applications Versus The Desktop

By: Marc Klein

Marc Klein — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:28:09 +0000

What I think that people still prefer desktop applications. It is due to this fact that web application cost to people whereas desktop applications are easily available.

By: Greg Hollingsworth

Greg Hollingsworth — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:19:15 +0000

I think it's all about balance. There are several apps that I use that are exclusively web-based, and many that are purely desktop.

However, there are also a number of desktop applications I use for contributing to web-based applications. Twhirl, Pownce, Evernote, Dropbox, etc... make it much easier to utilize web-based communities. These hybrid apps may be the new wave, allowing their users more control over their direct interaction with a web app.

Both have advantages and disadvantages, i think it is inevitable that there will be more web apps, but at the same time, I think synchronization between web and desktop will be the prevailing path in all of this.

By: Spyware Guy

Spyware Guy — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:01:30 +0000

Yeah, I'm with you man. I don't like web apps like I do stuff on my local machine.

Maybe it relates to being a control freak, I dunno, but I like knowing where the files are and what's going on with them.

By: TheVixy

TheVixy — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:55:02 +0000

my social life versus my work life? most web applications are social media geared i use ustream.tv to communicate with friends not fellow co-workers. i do not trust web applications yet with work or even school

but the need to collaborate with co-workers that don't share the same breathing space as you do could drive web applications like Google docs to more mainstream use of web applications

how much is our social networks worth towards the pushing the envelope? apparently a lot.

By: nickschmidt

nickschmidt — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:44:12 +0000

Well, in order to use Web applications you need: 1. a computer/desktop/laptop 2. internet.

And sometimes you have to downloaded software for the web application. You use both the internet & desktop.

However, I do like web apps more because I could go to a friends computer or any computer and login to my own web apps and not have to take space up on their computer. Web apps are a lot more accessible.

By: tv bracket

tv bracket — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:13:12 +0000

Maybe I am too old school, but I prefer my apps right on my computer. Though when I sit here and really try and think of why that is I can't come up with anything better than, that is what I am used to.

By: John

John — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:58:40 +0000

I am old, and grumpy enough to prefer to resist change for changes sake. I avoid web-based programs as they tend to change without notice (or control – did I mention I am a control freak?) They are therefore unstable as a part of life that can be relied upon. My wife, however totally disagrees with me on this, and enjoys the convenience of continually improved programs etc.

By: Svetlana Gladkova

Svetlana Gladkova — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:28:52 +0000

Voted for tools to be used as for me many of the web apps I use are not a necessary evil – they actually help when I need to work and collaborate on something within the team located all around the world.

But the irony I've recently noticed is that early adopters tend to use web apps much heavier when they have some desktop clients (take Twitter – without Twhirl and other clients it would have seen much less messages flowing around). And for some reason we think that early adopters want to move everything online!

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:45:24 +0000

Cloud computing, isn't that what this is called? There is just too much latency on the internet for software to completely move off the desktop. Web apps are great for stuff like blogging, email, and other things that don't require instantaneous response. Even a 1/4 second of latency can be a productivity killer if you experience it often.

Cloud computing is what flying automobiles were back 50 years ago: a pipe dream.

By: sbspalding

sbspalding — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:06:16 +0000

I think price might be -the- major selling point for web applications.

We're willing to put up with the lack of features and the weak integration of elements common in traditional desktop applications because web applications are wonderfully free.

Ha, I use way more web applications than I should but I agree that the most useful ones are the ones tightly integrated into pre-existing platforms.