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Web Apps Become Pervasive, Open Platforms Become More Important

Many say that the web is becoming the desktop. How soon, and how completely, that will happen is anyone's guess, but it is undeniable more "desktop applications" are delivered through browsers. There are advantages: user interfaces don't change between operating systems, web applications aren't platform specific, and work can be done at any computer with a network connection.

There are sizable disadvantages. Who can access (or alter) information stored in a web application? Who actually owns it? Reading an application's Terms of Service is crucial on the user's end.

Free Software Magazine explains why an open license is crucial for all involved.

FSM explains that what makes open source software secure, stable, and ultimately so useful on the desktop is the sheer number of eyes looking at the code, tearing it down, and rebuilding it so that it is as secure and reliable as possible. Security and reliability are wonderful on desktops running applications locally. They're far more important on servers storing sensitive files or personal information.

Web applications are new territory. A closed source web application company probably would not steal personal information or trade secrets from presentations stored on its servers, created with its software. The closed source web application company might slip in questionable terms of service, and that's why reading the fine print is necessary. This really isn't the issue. The potential horror show comes when the closed source web application company shuts down, or perhaps when a user decides that the features of another web application provider seem better suited to her needs.

Two problems arise: Is the data portable, are the formats of the documents produced in the closed source web application able to be read or manipulated any where else? Is a user looking for a web application offering features X,Y,Z going to have to settle for X and Y, or X and Z, because licensing restrictions will not allow features Y and Z to work in the same application?

This is a problem now, of course, with desktop applications. But a desktop application can exist for an indefinite length of time on a computer without a company behind it. Closed web applications could potentially disappear, with no recourse or time to convert and secure the information created with them -- and no way to recreate the application's function, if desired.

Open platforms for web applications will minimize end-user headaches and encourage innovation. People who are enthusiastic about open source certainly appreciate how that works. There are many, many more people who are unaware of how open licensing can benefit them now -- and how it will be exponentially more beneficial in the future.

The question of how open source advocates can relay the value of open platforms to the "average user" is becoming increasingly important. We have a community for outreach, and real-life examples of proprietary applications disappearing, leaving documents inaccessible. How do we best keep ourselves, others, and the information that we share from getting burned again?

• web applications
• open source
• community
• free software

by Alain Yap on Sep. 29, 2008

You have offered an interesting point on how to market open sourced technologies vs proprietary ones to target users and developers alike, Kristin. As they say, it's platform over software anytime.

So far, the knocks against open source are being debunked one by one by a collaborative effort. Yet, open source will still need that constant push for greater user adoption and leading with these types of insights coupled with real-life stories is a great way to reach out to the mainstream.

Best. alain

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