Converging the Web and Desktop
If you’ve been in the web tech field for a while you’ve already begun to hear the conversations swirling above our small heads about the convergence of the web and the desktop (or even the full port over to the web as a desktop).
Essentially, some are arguing that we’re moving to a place where the web is rapidly becoming the “new” desktop: That’s because our abilities to do almost everything on the browser layer is becoming a reality.
My thoughts are mixed.
Although I like the idea and I’ve rejoiced in the ability to do things that desktop apps could once only do, the biggest roadblock for me is the fact that we’re still subject to hardware.
You see, regardless of all the functionality in the world, we still need an ethernet cord and an internet connection (or if you go all wireless… same thing is true). If you’re internet is down, then so is your life.
So a convergence of the two paradigms seems logical and reasonable until the confidence in the hardware leans a bit closer to the confidence I have in my own salvation (which is a tall order…)!
If you want a good “taste” of what all of this confounded babel-speak is all about, try hitting that “turbo” button in the top right hand side of your screen.
Yes.
“Turbo”.
Like when you used to say it on the elementary school playground as you dashed around the slide saying “i’m going turbo speed!!!“ … (maybe that’s just me).
Again, this is only possible if you’re running WordPress, but what this does is it installs Google Gears on your system, a funky little plugin that extends your browser to give you much more rich experience (Official WordPress post).
It also lets you access things “offline”. 
What it’ll do for your blogging experience is that it’ll save portions of your blog to your desktop, like admin control panel features, images, etc… and increase your blogging experience and administration.
For those that hate having to wait that “extra” second for the modal window to pop up for you to edit or add a picture… this one’s for you.
The kicker? Once you’ve installed it and run it you’ve now stepped into the conversation of convergence of web and desktop… and you’re nerd-factor just increased.
w00t. Thank me later.
Buzz it!
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14 Responses to “Converging the Web and Desktop”
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Weekend Walkabout: December 6, 2008 | The Daily Scroll
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works for your local box.
by local box do you mean my personal computer or my server?
unsure how the plugin works? does that install it to the server so everyone gets a speed boost or just the administrator gets a speed boost?
Too true, too true. It is amazing how the interwebs make everyone seem a little bit closer.
Too true, too true. It is amazing how the interwebs make everyone seem a little bit closer.
I was taking a look at that one day and thought the same thing. Then I checked it out and saw what it was about, but didn't know too much about it. Then you post this, awesome. I might just test it out. Sometimes I am in places where the internet isn't very reliable, this could really help.
yippee!
Hmm, I have to admit that I am like you. I am a little leary of the convergence of desktop and web. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get work done when the connection is down.
I think Dropbox might actually be the first example for my mind on how seamless this aforementioned convergence works. Dropbox appears very seamless for me. I move my files and when I have a web connection the files are added to the Dropbox server waiting for my other computers or shared users. Likewise, I also retrieve the files that are left for me. All of this is intertwined between the web and desktop.
Obviously, you know this because you wrote about it a while ago, but that was the best example for me so far.
I hope your time in Korea is going well. I have been thinking about you a lot. Take care, bud.
personal computer
thanks leo…. miss you guys, but, the internets are alive…!
Hey John, Gears is a really great technology that we incorporated into Titanium. Titanium, like AIR, is part of this converging of the web and desktop you're talking about – big difference is that it's open source. When the internet is down you're not totally out of luck! Developers can build Titanium apps to work natively on the desktop using standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and Javascript, as well as Flash and Silverlight.
Thought you all might want to check this out http://titaniumapp.com
David at Appcelerator
checking it out now…! thanks davicd!