Next-generation Internet applications

Published Jun 24 2008,SIJIN Joseph
Link: http://weblogs.asp.net/sjoseph/archive/2008/06/24/what-will-be-the-next-generation-internet-application-platform.aspx

A few years ago, I had a sincere belief in the rich Internet application model based on the user's local operation. Since the emergence of Ajax, the quality and quantity of Ajax-based Web applications have increased significantly. Applications like Facebook demonstrate a new application example, while live maps makes existing applications more convenient and feasible. Now, we have to convince ourselves that desktop-based applications are no longer computing-intensive applications. (Although such a proposition is highly suspicious, for example, the web application edited by video a few years ago is simply a fantasy .)

So what makes web a successful application platform?

• Unified and simple mode (browser, link, and visible click ). Once you learn how to use a web application, this experience can be easily applied to other applications.
• The independence of the client platform. When the connection protocol (HTML + CSS + JS) is ensured, the server and client are separated. This means that, in the past, the traditional problem of integrating multiple platforms with various APIs no longer exists on the client.
• Independent computer. The user is no longer limited by the computer's installation of application software, which also forms a simpler configuration model.
• Data independence. User data is stored on the Internet, which means that users can not only run application software at any time, but also access data at any time.

So what will the next generation of Internet application platforms look like? In my opinion, in addition to the above elements, the next-generation application platform should include the following features:

• Make full use of local computing resources. When all applications run through a browser, powerful CPU and GPU seem like a waste of resources. Therefore, the next-generation application platform should have the permission to access local computing resources.
• Better integrate local resources. This is related to the above. The difference is that it will allow network applications to access local disks, configurations, registry files, and so on.
• Better security mechanisms. Without a doubt, all applications run through ActiveX and XPCOM, but the security mechanism is a weakness, and it is not intuitive for users. Therefore, a better solution is required.

In this case, Microsoft's Silverlight and Adobe's air seem to have taken the right direction on the next generation of Internet application platforms. However, Microsoft has a huge opportunity to promote the use of Silverlight encapsulation and to set up new desktop application standards to integrate Internet applications. Their extensive user base explains that any API they create has a huge opportunity to succeed and catch up with competitors in the same field.