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On web aware applications and the future of Surfulater
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Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Apr 16, 2012 at 07:02 PM
This continues from another thread http://www.outlinersoftware.com/topics/viewt/3932/5 where I posted the comment below.
Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
>Most importantly though, I do not believe that there is a dilemma between
>Windows/desktop and web applications. Both are now required and I maintain that
>applications that do not become web aware in this interconnected world have little
>future to hope for.
I then found this post by Neville, the developer of Surfulater, which is quite relevant to the above point of view.
http://blog.surfulater.com/2011/12/05/whats-happening-with-surfulater-whats-neville-up-to/
In addition, Neville provides some interesting background and insights into the new software development directions he’s taking.
Neville has very extensive programming experience in the ‘old world’ of desktop software, having also developed Ed for Windows http://www.getsoft.com/
I must say that I admire such people who, in the words of Alvin Toffler, are able to learn, unlearn and relearn. I can only wish Neville all the best in his endeavours, being confident that they will also be good for Surfulater’s client base in the long term.
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Jul 8, 2012 at 10:33 PM
UPDATE
http://blog.surfulater.com/2012/06/29/surfulater-next-generation-part-1/
http://blog.surfulater.com/2012/07/03/surfulater-next-generation-part-2/
Posted by Dr Andus
Jul 8, 2012 at 11:43 PM
I’m afraid I’m less positive about this direction than you are. I’m concerned that this rush towards cloud-based applications will impoverish the PIM world. My sense is that cloud-based apps have fewer features, look for the lowest common denominator and therefore become less sophisticated. Sure, a lot of people are working on mobile devices and need to share stuff. However, serious work still needs a serious machine and a serious software. I want specialist software that fulfils my specialist needs, rather than a watered-down cloud-based version.
If Surfulater loses it hierarchical folder structure, then it’s no longer the Surfulater that I know or want. It will just become yet another web-based clippings service, of which there are a few already. Maybe I’m too old-fashioned but labels or tags just haven’t been able to fulfil the same function for me as a hierarchical folder tree.
Posted by Dr Andus
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:01 AM
I’m also wary of cloud-based services because of their revenue model. Here is my nightmare scenario:
Eventually you end up paying for the fact of being locked into a cloud service where you pay ever-increasing sums as the data accumulates and becomes too huge and cumbersome to move to another service. Eventually you end up paying for storage, rather than for innovative software development. And it’s a never-ending payment scheme, like a gym-membership, which many people forget to cancel after they stop going to the gym. The focus for these services will be not on existing users (who are already charged monthly) but on recruiting new users, to increase revenue. The focus will be on the needs of the “lowest common denominator” type user, rather than on the sophisticated user who has specialist needs.
Posted by Cassius
Jul 9, 2012 at 04:51 AM
I am against cloud applications and storage except when needed for collaboration or when many people have to access the same data.
1. Bandwidth limitations
2. Potential for hacking/stealing/changing/corrupting data
3. Massive power outages (as we just had here in the Washington, DC area).
4. Are our Pc’s to just become like “dumb terminals”?