Why Web Apps?
Web apps are all the rage these days, given the numerous games, tools and services they provide to web users. We hear about web apps or web applications from iPhone owners and Facebook users.Web apps can be used in our daily activities. Here are some of the reasons why more and more people are starting to appreciate web apps:
- Web applications don't have to be installed or upgraded. Remember software programs of yesteryears where you have to buy licensed software, take out the CD to install the program into the personal computer, and update or upgrade it after six months? Web apps are not like those.
- They are very useful for everyday uses, like converting documents, making minor edits on photos, or merging several tools into one.
- It can be accessed anywhere. Before, if one installed a program in the PC, one had to use that PC in order to access the program. Now with web apps, the user is no longer bound by location or the data that is saved in the computer.
- It's easier for users to try out and buy a particular software. One doesn't have to download from the software website anymore.
- Collaboration is made easier since anyone in the group or office can use the web application.
- There is less danger of computer viruses since there are no more downloads, and consequently, less suspicious .exe files.
- It's a big boost for web application developers. They have more freedom in the tools they use, be it in Java or LISP, among others. Upon using such web applications, these tools are usually already found in their server.
- The work is divided in web applications; there are many individual parts. There are parts for web servicing, for monitoring the running processes, for indexing content, etc. Desktop applications or those that are installed into the computer is similar to an all-in-one package.
- Users are not required to have certain types of hardware (like another gig of RAM, etc). If there are changes in the hardware requirements of the server, the user won't be bothered.
- There are continuous updates to one's web app version.
- Bugs are easily fixable, right on the spot. One doesn't have to send for the technician to reinstall everything again.
- For web application developers, it's easy to develop one's application because everything is visible on the developer's server.
- There is no need for a lot of people to work on web applications, only programmers, allowing for much smaller teams and more output.
- App developers can earn money through subscriptions from users. This could be better compared to the one-time fees required in desktop software, since the money will keep on coming in.
- One can be sure he or she is using the latest version of a particular application.
- Old versions of software usually need legacy versions that act as support. This leads to high costs and a lot of problems for users. Web apps do not have or need legacy versions.
- Using a web app does not require installations, which make it easier for big companies that require network administrator approval for every software installation.
- Web apps enable social possibilities. Given the number of web apps for chat facilities or for sharing work in real time, the world now has more avenues for social collaboration and online group work.
- When selling web applications, there is lesser cost incurred by the developer. They don't have to spend on software boxes, printed manuals, shipping costs, CDs or middlemen.
- Web apps can run on inexpensive personal computers, or those that do not have dual core processors and a lot of memory in the hard drive.
Most importantly, web applications are accessible to everyone connected to the Internet!
Sources:
Graham, Paul. “More Advantages of Web Applications.” Retrieved October 7, 2009 from
http://www.paulgraham.com/road.html
Lingham, Vinny. “Top 20 Reasons why Web Apps are Superior to Desktop Apps.” Retrieved October 7, 2009 by
http://www.vinnylingham.com/top-20-reasons-why-web-apps-are-superior-to-desktop-apps.html
(Published 19 October 2009, Smart Communications Inc.)
