The Hindu Business Line : With you, wherever you go

Wish granted. Now you can access your own applications and programs even while you are on the move. Fulfilling this ‘personal space’ need is the Web-based desktop or Webtop.

The Webtop, or WebOS (Web operating system) as it is called, is nothing but an online desktop that can be accessible from any Internet-connected device wherever you go, with a set of productivity applications. Try the following virtual computer services and stay connected to your desktop online:

www.desktoptwo.com is a free Web-based desktop or Webtop that mimics the look and functionality of a local computer, all contained within one browser window and fully accessible from any Internet-connected device. In this easy-to-use location, you can access all your personal information, programs and applications on the move. All you need is a Web browser to access your account.

Moreover, it has features such as ‘1GB free hard drive’ to access your file, ‘Mail’ accounts, Address Book, My Website Editor to create/edit a Webpage, blog, instant messenger, MP3 Player, Office programs, Message Boards, RSS Reader and Live Chat facility.

http://g.ho.st — the Global Hosted Operating SysTem (g.ho.st) provides a free and complete Internet-based virtual computer service, including personal desktop, files and applications, available from any browser, anywhere. It has G.ho.st file upload/download facility to permanently move your files (documents, music, photos, etc.) to G.ho.st. You can use G.ho.st Mail as your e-mail service and use the ‘POP aggregation’ to receive e-mails from your other e-mail services (as well as your new @G.ho.st email). It has G.ho.st ‘My Items’ facility to manage your Web stuff (links to Flickr photos, Google Docs, YouTube videos, etc). The G.ho.st comes with 3GB of free file storage. According to the Web site, you are not required to install or update any applications. They just work and are updated automatically.

www.startforce.com gives you online stuff utilities such as pictures, music, videos, sharing, instant messenger, Web browser, writer, audioplayer, and forum. You can also easily upload, then access, your favourite data from any computer through its ‘File uploader’ and ‘Documents.’ www.goowy.com offers simple, intuitive tools for communicating and sharing on the Web. Apart from a suite of productivity applications, it also provides contacts & calendar, customised news and music player. According to the Web site, it gives a 2GB worth of email storage and allows attachments of up to 10MB.

www.eyeos.org is an Open Source Platform designed to hold a wide variety of Web applications over it. All you need to do is to login into your eyeOS server with a normal Internet Browser, and access your personal desktop, with your applications, documents, music, movies.

Currently, with the base system you can find a full suite of applications such as the file manager, a word processor, a music player, calendar, notepad or contacts manager. There are also some groupware applications such as a group manager, a file sharing application and a group.

jaish@thehindu.co.in