This past month I have been trying to use more web applications, because it’s convenient when I’m switching between computers. I have my desktop computer and my laptop. What if they were to both fail, for whatever reason?
I recently read at Jeffro2pt0 about My Uninstalled Life. It is about someone’s journey to replacing desktop applications with web applications.
The disadvantages to storing everything online are few, but could cause problems for some.
- Internet access is required
- Site availability
- Privacy and security
I can’t completely move away from desktop applications. For example, with Gmail, every so often I open up my e-mail client and allow it to download e-mails as a backup. I never know if Google will disappear one day and take my e-mail with it! Okay, maybe I’m paranoid. Actually, if I don’t have Internet access when I need to check a saved e-mail, it’s nice to know I can read it whenever I need to.
With Gmail IMAP, checking e-mail on multiple computers is much easier. Unfortunately, Gmail is also missing a much needed feature: multiple signatures for the accounts that I have set to send e-mail as. I need this because my work account requires me to have a signature. So, I need to use a desktop application for e-mail.
I used to use Outlook with NewsGator’s plugin to check feeds. I had stopped using it and started using NewsGator’s online version. I have always loved NewsGator, but I felt overwhelmed with the amount of feeds I had to read daily. Google Reader makes this much easier. I don’t think I will use a desktop client again for this. This also saves hard drive space.
For people who don’t have their own computer, but have access to Internet cafes or libraries can use web desktops. This allows you to have access to a set of applications and files on your own personal desktop from inside a browser. No need to visit several sites to access everything. Goowy and YouOS both offer this.
I prefer accessing my desktop computer from my laptop via Remote Desktop Connection. If I wasn’t home, I would want to access it via a Virtual Private Network. I like feeling like I’m at home on the computer.
I like that I can access what I want online, anywhere I want. But, I also want to be able to download that information so I can access it offline as well. This means I still need a desktop application to do it. So, even though I have started to use more web applications, I haven’t really uninstalled anything. I’ve only made it easier to access information and files from anywhere.
Is there a reason why you prefer desktop applications over web applications or vice versa?
First off, thank you for being a reader of my blog. Secondly, thank you for linking to me. Thirdly, Interesting that you have tried using more web based applications and in the process, have ended up not uninstalling anything.
I prefer desktop applications in most cases, rather than online variants. I love the fact that the programs are local, meaning that everything about the program will generally be faster such as accessing menus, processing ect. I also enjoy the thoughts of being able to save files and make backups as necessary in any way I see fit without having to rely on a third party to do that for me.
In all honesty, I’d love it if, programs moved towards having an online and offline version. That is, programs such as Feed Demon which is used on the desktop, but can synchronize with NewsGator which is an online service.
Also, using a desktop version of a piece of software ensures for the most part that you won’t have to worry about it disappearing unless your hard drive crashes, or if you uninstall it. With an online service, these things can drop dead on any day that ends in Y. So in some sense, that is a good bit of peace of mind.
You’re welcome, I love reading a lot of the things you write about. Sometimes it helps me to come up with ideas for what to write about next. I always link to the source where I got an idea or information from.
I’m with you on desktop applications, especially with being faster. Although, I find accessing Gmail on the web is actually faster than opening an e-mail client.
Since I use a majority of Google’s applications, it would be great if they created a desktop application that could sync to our computers to backup e-mails, docs, feeds, and more from the services we use. Maybe similar to Google Updater to check for anything new on the services we select.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
[...] my last post, Desktop Applications or Web Applications?, I had mentioned two similar services to Jooce: Goowy and YouOS. All three, Goowy, Jooce and [...]
I prefer desktop application and I can manage all software. I use a remote desktop service named Gooer(http://www.gooer.com) to access my PC in home and office, it is much easier to me than VPN access. I can also use my PDA or iPhone access my PC. I do not need reply any 3rd party store service and all data keep in my own computer.
Hi Richard, thanks for leaving a comment. I will have to take a look at Gooer and see how it stands against Remote Desktop Connection, although I’m not a fan of installing more applications when one capable of doing what I want it to is already installed. I also like that I can run RDC in full screen mode, so it appears as if I’m actually at my other computer.