Webtop
Definition
A webtop is an application that runs in a web browser and that integrates various web-based applications.
YouOs, for example, is defined as “new type of platform for web applications. We're trying to build a single place from which you can access your data, and run a multitude of applications, written by anyone in the YouOS network. Ultimately, we want the data and apps on YouOS to be accessible not only through any browser, but from any number of devices. Your stuff, anywhere, anytime, anyhow. It's still early, but that's our vision.” (A Clean 'Slate', retrieved 10:30, 27 April 2007 (MEST)).
According to M. Bangham ([1]), the term "Webtop" was coined as early as 1996 to characterize the migration of desktop applications to the browser. A webtop is also called web 2.0 start page (520 hits), Ajax homepage (59'800 hits) WebOS (3'270'000 hits) web desktop (276,000 hits) or a webtop (3,350,000 hits). (Google hits, 16:49, 26 April 2007 (MEST)).
See also virtual office and social software.
Architecture
Some technical features of a typical webtop:
- It is started with a URL (no manual download, installation, or update process)
- Usually good integration between the user's native browser and the Webtop application, including browser-oriented navigation tools (forward, backward), but one also could imagine applications that run in a sandbox (like Java Webstart).
- Seamless communication with a central server using HTTP
- Rich GUI (e.g., native look and feel, including smooth dynamic updates without requiring frequent page refreshes). Usually this is implemented with Ajax (but it also could mean Java, SVG, whatever)
Most webtops are Ajax applications.
In education
Webtops may have a huge potential in education.
Software Links
List of web 2.0 pages
- Netvibes
- Protopage
- Start
- Webwag
- Pageflakes
- "My" components of older portals like MyYahoo, MyMSN, etc.
Installing your own server
- eyeOS (This system may be interesting to educational institutions, since you can install your own server and customize)
To sort out
- Flock, the social web browser
- Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. The PLE for PhD students ?
- More: Google Homepage, Clic!Dev, Computadora, Desktoptwo, eskobo, Favoor, HomePortals, Nowsy, ORCA Desktop, Windows Live, YouOS, YourMinis, Zimbio, XIN, Zoho Virtual Office, Firestoker, goowy, Joyent, Nsite.
Development tools
- Bungee. On-demand, web-based development environment that enables developers to build and deploy web apps that utilize the large variety of APIs and web services out on the Internet.
Links and References
- Zelenka Anne (2007).Just don't call it a Web OS, Blog Entry
- Bangham, Michael (2006). Webtops: The Best of Desktop and Browser-Based Apps in One, DevX.com article, HTML.