Paralyzed by Fear
On Wednesday, December 20, 2006, Nick Bradbury published a blog with the title, "Desktop Software is Paralyzed by Fear", and I quote:
Despite the power and rich UI that desktop applications offer, it's obvious that the move to Web applications is accelerating. For many people, the ability to access their data through any browser clearly outweighs the benefits of desktop software.
He goes on to claim that many mainstream users that may not care about the Web's benefits are still moving to the Web because of fear, "Downloading and installing software is scary".
After a short explanation of his hypothesis, Nick summarizes with the following:
It's great that Microsoft is concerned about security - given the past few years of spyware-ridden desktops, they have to make security their priority - but I sure wish they could make Windows secure without scaring away customers.
Nick, I am not posting this to take issue with you, since I agree with all that you wrote; however, you have opened the door on a subject that deserves more discussion -- much more discussion.
First, it would be nice if we had some numbers to justify the feeling (yours and mine) that the move to Web applications is accelerating.
Second, since I am not quite certain about your motivations for making your post, I want to state, that as a Windows Desktop Programmer and a participant in the PC market, I believe that it is up to us to do something about that fear.
Third, if we hope to accomplish anything, we need an understanding of our present situation, where we are going and how we want to get there. I am referring to the entire Personal Computer business, which includes Desktops, Laptops -- as well as the Web.
I just happen to believe that we are in the early stages of a very natural process -- the process of maturing a market. Allowing that the PC has been in existence for some 25 to 30 years, we need to recognize that the maturation process has been slowed by the anti-competitive activities of some participants combined with the cooperative activities of others and the apathetic non-participation by the balance of society. The market will mature, no matter our individual contribution; however, we, the participants, can influence the speed of the process as well as the smoothness.
The fact that the move to Web applications seems to be accelerating, means that the total fear level is decreasing and that the fear that plagues the Desktop will be decreasing also, thus allowing more companies to enter that portion of the market, which will decrease the fear that plagues users even further.
Obviously, I have no way of knowing the details about future market development -- but, I do know this:
The fear will decrease as the market matures, by definition -- good companies will survive, bad companies will perish -- problems that concern users will be solved. Ultimately we affect the market by our spending; however, we can expedite the process and influence its direction through our participation. And that's what blogs and forums are all about, participation.
Remember, the early entrants will reap the most rewards -- the desktop is NOT the exclusive property of Microsoft. So, come and join the discussion...
http://nationalcomputerassociation.com
See you there...
Doug Skoglund
SandS Software, Inc.
skoglund@pdmsb.com
If you send me an email, please put a [PDMSB] in the title, to separate your message from the Spam.
Despite the power and rich UI that desktop applications offer, it's obvious that the move to Web applications is accelerating. For many people, the ability to access their data through any browser clearly outweighs the benefits of desktop software.
He goes on to claim that many mainstream users that may not care about the Web's benefits are still moving to the Web because of fear, "Downloading and installing software is scary".
After a short explanation of his hypothesis, Nick summarizes with the following:
It's great that Microsoft is concerned about security - given the past few years of spyware-ridden desktops, they have to make security their priority - but I sure wish they could make Windows secure without scaring away customers.
Nick, I am not posting this to take issue with you, since I agree with all that you wrote; however, you have opened the door on a subject that deserves more discussion -- much more discussion.
First, it would be nice if we had some numbers to justify the feeling (yours and mine) that the move to Web applications is accelerating.
Second, since I am not quite certain about your motivations for making your post, I want to state, that as a Windows Desktop Programmer and a participant in the PC market, I believe that it is up to us to do something about that fear.
Third, if we hope to accomplish anything, we need an understanding of our present situation, where we are going and how we want to get there. I am referring to the entire Personal Computer business, which includes Desktops, Laptops -- as well as the Web.
I just happen to believe that we are in the early stages of a very natural process -- the process of maturing a market. Allowing that the PC has been in existence for some 25 to 30 years, we need to recognize that the maturation process has been slowed by the anti-competitive activities of some participants combined with the cooperative activities of others and the apathetic non-participation by the balance of society. The market will mature, no matter our individual contribution; however, we, the participants, can influence the speed of the process as well as the smoothness.
The fact that the move to Web applications seems to be accelerating, means that the total fear level is decreasing and that the fear that plagues the Desktop will be decreasing also, thus allowing more companies to enter that portion of the market, which will decrease the fear that plagues users even further.
Obviously, I have no way of knowing the details about future market development -- but, I do know this:
The fear will decrease as the market matures, by definition -- good companies will survive, bad companies will perish -- problems that concern users will be solved. Ultimately we affect the market by our spending; however, we can expedite the process and influence its direction through our participation. And that's what blogs and forums are all about, participation.
Remember, the early entrants will reap the most rewards -- the desktop is NOT the exclusive property of Microsoft. So, come and join the discussion...
http://nationalcomputerassociation.com
See you there...
Doug Skoglund
SandS Software, Inc.
skoglund@pdmsb.com
If you send me an email, please put a [PDMSB] in the title, to separate your message from the Spam.
posted by Doug Skoglund at
12:02 PM
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