Desktop vs. Web App

In building an Ajax based application, developers often aim in building applications that are highly interactive and useful. Web 2.0 applications are not just applications that could be shared by everyone; it is an application that could provide support that is not available in HTML.

This determination has even come to a point where developers are now building applications that are based on desktops. That means developers are not just building applications that are helpful, they are building applications that will emulate the experience of desktop applications. This is probably considered as the ultimate target of developers as they aim to build applications that are web based but equally as powerful as the desktop applications.

But this might have been taken too far by some developers. Not only are they aiming to build applications that are desktop like, they are building applications that have the same look as the applications. This is probably done to further enhance the familiarity of the online application. There was even a time wherein the actual desktop has been copied. Although the idea is revolutionary, the idea didn’t prosper.

The failure of the online desktop applications that actually emulate the experience did not prosper for one simple reason – the additional components are just there to burden the load on the application. Although out internet connection and gadgets right now could handle these components, most of the graphics and additional features that come from actual desktop experience are just not worth it.   This does not mean that desktop applications have really bad features; it is just that the desktop has the luxury of having the local gadget to support its required features. On the other hand, online desktop applications have to rely on internet connection. When this fails, everything else crumbles.

On the other hand, there are online Ajax based applications that are able to prosper not because they were able to reach a point of desktop emulation, but they have presented a useful application. Take for example, Gmail.

It did not have the features of MS Outlook but it is now one of the most popular online applications. They have practically stripped down their application and focused on simplified service of sending and receiving email. Along the way, they introduced features that complement the application and none of them are based on outlook.

This should be the way developers should build their online applications. Instead of focusing on emulating desktops, they should be building applications that provide essential services with features that are geared for the online experience. Everyone already have desktops and most doesn’t really enjoy the idea of having another desktop in their browsers. Sure they offer portability but they have components that are just not worth it.

In the end, developers have to be very creative in building their applications. The demand for an Ajax based application is there but that does not mean it has to be another desktop experience. Creativity should be pushed more than mere emulation. The industry already has established a desktop and browsers should offer a totally new experience.