Microsoft rolls out Web services to link to Windows

[kgun]

"SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) released on Tuesday a suite of free Web services that connect to its Windows operating system, delivering a major element of its strategy to maintain the dominance of its software while extending its reach on the Internet.
The package of "Windows Live" services, which was first released in a test version in September, makes available in a single download updated versions of e-mail, instant messaging, photo gallery, blogging and event planning applications.
As part of the new software suite, users can access their free Web e-mail through a downloaded desktop application -- similar to Office Outlook used by many businesses -- instead of using a Internet browser to check, reply or write e-mails".

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[DaveSawers]

I find it very interesting that Microsoft seems to be trying to buck the trend towards web based software. Clearly they are trying to protect their investment in the Windows operating systems and their Office applications. I am working in a similar area, trying to figure out how best to provide all the benefits of internet connectivity with the functionality of desktop applications.

I define web enabled software to be applications that run on the desktop but get most or all of their data from the internet and web based software to be applications that run entirely on the web server and use a standard browser to display the user interface.

For fully web based software, standard browsers only provide enough features to do simple user interactions. For complex tasks it is necessary to resort to ActiveX, Java, Flash or other widgets. If you are going to go that far, then why not build a desktop application instead that is web enabled and control all aspects of user interaction without having to contend with the quirks of web browsers?

On the other hand, the advantage of being web based is that you can provide services to all connected devices, including the phones that are soon likely to become the most popular device for internet surfing. However, significant development is required by the providers of mobile browsers to standardise on JavaScript, AJAX and the way they implement ActiveX and other widgets. When (if) this happens then web based software will be the way to go and desktop applications are likely to be less important.

The iPhone is beginning to show the way mobile browsers are going and if that trend continues (which I think it will), then Microsoft's strategy will be dead in the water. I await further developments (and your comments) with interest.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

I find it very interesting that Microsoft seems to be trying to buck the trend towards web based software. Clearly they are trying to protect their investment in the Windows operating systems and their Office applications. I am working in a similar area, trying to figure out how best to provide all the benefits of internet connectivity with the functionality of desktop applications.

Agree. Financial software e.g. trading platforms, have functioned like this for some years now. Desktop application with connection to the internet to get real time information to trade on.

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

I define web enabled software to be applications that run on the desktop but get most or all of their data from the internet and web based software to be applications that run entirely on the web server and use a standard browser to display the user interface.

I can agree on that definition.

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

For fully web based software, standard browsers only provide enough features to do simple user interactions. For complex tasks it is necessary to resort to ActiveX, Java, Flash or other widgets. If you are going to go that far, then why not build a desktop application instead that is web enabled and control all aspects of user interaction without having to contend with the quirks of web browsers?

Web browsers are a large problem for webmasters and surfers. In my view they are very slow to adapt to new technologies and standards set by W3C, especially the XML family of technologies. And there is no standard among browser providers. Web based software can perhaps solve this in a better way than web browsers.

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

On the other hand, the advantage of being web based is that you can provide services to all connected devices, including the phones that are soon likely to become the most popular device for internet surfing. However, significant development is required by the providers of mobile browsers to standardise on JavaScript, AJAX and the way they implement ActiveX and other widgets. When (if) this happens then web based software will be the way to go and desktop applications are likely to be less important.

My bolding.

Important subject. The globe is the marketplace. It is global competition, more fierce than ever. That competition will drive unserious providers out of the market and the best will survive. One group of players will love this competition, economists. I am one of them.

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

The iPhone is beginning to show the way mobile browsers are going and if that trend continues (which I think it will), then Microsoft's strategy will be dead in the water. I await further developments (and your comments) with interest.

I have never used the iPhone and are unsure of how large part of the market it will take. I think it is difficult for it to compete with computer intensive web based desktop applications. In my view, the strongest computeres are still very weak. As long as there is a delay between your hit of the carriage return or click with the mouse and what you see on the screen, there is need for more power. That need will never stop, since a computer is a finite state device.

[DaveSawers]

Originally Posted by kgun

In my view, the strongest computers are still very weak. As long as there is a delay between your hit of the carriage return or click with the mouse and what you see on the screen, there is need for more power. That need will never stop, since a computer is a finite state device.

Putting most of the computer power in the server (web based) means that users' devices do not need to contain the fastest computer chips or gigabytes of memory. That keeps the user hardware cheap and will ensure greater take up. I am particularly thinking about what is happening in Africa where a large portion of internet browsing is done on mobile phones because the infrastructure of land lines for phones and computer interconnection simply doesn't exist outside the major cities.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by DaveSawers

I am particularly thinking about what is happening in Africa where a large portion of internet browsing is done on mobile phones because the infrastructure of land lines for phones and computer interconnection simply doesn't exist outside the major cities.

Yes, and in Asia as well.