Online Computing – Desktops

From Wiki,

A web desktop or webtop is a desktop environment embedded in a web browser or similar client application. A webtop integrates web applications, web services, client-server applications, application servers, and applications on the local client into a desktop environment using the desktop metaphor. Web desktops provide an environment similar to that of Windows, 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.

There are a number of webtops available freely but only a few allow guest login and therefore you need to sign up (though it takes only a few minutes but you don’t want useless accounts on the sites you probably won’t use) before you can test the desktop. So here comes the list,

1. eyeOS (http://eyeos.org/en/)

An Open Source AJAX based Desktop with its own set of applications including office suites, games, basic accessories and even a process manager. Provide an API for developers for integrating there own services into eyeOS. You can check out the demo here http://demo.eyeos.org/?lang=en.

eyeOS is a new kind of Operating System, where everything resides on a web browser. With eyeOS, you will have your desktop, applications and files always with you, from your home, your college, your office or your neighbor’s house.

2. Global Hosted Operating System (http://www.g.ho.st/)

G.ho.st provides every person in the world with a free Virtual Computer (VC). Like a Windows PC, or Mac, the VC is a personal computing environment which includes your desktop, your personal settings, your files and your choice of software applications. But unlike a PC, your VC is not installed on one physical computer – instead it is stored in professional data centers across the Internet cloud, and is accessed from any Internet browser in the world.

Flash based and pretty much solid desktop. Works together with 3rd party web applications like Zoho, Google Docs etc. which makes it even powerful as the apps work seamlessly within the desktop.

3. GlideOS (http://www.glideos.com)

No demo account. No briefing on the project. User Comments makes this desktop sound the best of all. Comes with its own web applications which also are very much praised.

4. DesktopTwo (http://www.desktoptwo.com/)

Desktoptwo is your home in the cloud with all of your personal information, files, programs, applications and more in one user friendly location. All you need is a simple web device and your browser instantly becomes your private desktop.

5. WidgeTop http://www.widgetop.com/mobile.html

Lots of widgets. Different from all above desktops as it relies totally on widgets. So its only useful when you need to keep you system as a showcase :P.

 

Is that all ? I want more… If thats your case then google is your friend.

PS

• The numbering above is not supposed to be the ranking of the desktops.
• Don’t forget to turn on the fullscreen mode of your browser (F11).

Online Computing

The world of computing is getting together on the web (or should I say cloud). We have loads of free web based applications that provide competitive features as compared to desktop applications. Online, we now have Email Clients, Messengers, Web OS, Media Players, Office Suites, Image editors, Development Environments etc. all of which run inside your web browser without the need of installing any application(ofcourse you need to have browser plugins to run most of them). Most of these apps even provide free web space to save your documents online so that you may access them from anywhere, anytime. Or if you have Live Linux CDs or Asus Express Gate(Splashtop) powered motherboard you dont even need to have an OS installed to access all these apps.

Most apps in the beginning were implemented through AJAX and many now have transited to Flash/Air. And with the increasing competition between JavaFX, Flash and Silverlight we can say that there is much yet to come.

List of several applications grouped by categories are currently being googled. Will soon publish the result :).

searchMe

Searchme lets you see what you’re searching for. As you start typing, categories appear that relate to your query. Choose a category, and you’ll see pictures of web pages that answer your search. You can review these pages quickly to find just the information you’re looking for, before you click through.

Cool Flash Based Visual Search Engine (Also available in Lite HTML Version) that displays previews of your search results. Not enough to say as I still haven’t explored it much, so go and try it out yourself.