REBOL Listed in PricewaterhouseCoopers Technology Forecast 2002-2004
12-May-2002
Over the
last 40 years, computer applications have shifted their execution point from centralized mainframes, to decentralized
personal computers, then back to centralized web and application servers. However, recent advances are shifting
the balance once again, moving more of the computation back to client systems which now have as much or more power
than the servers to which they connect.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, in their recent Technology Forecast 2002-2004 Vol. 1, analyzes a growing
trend away from browser-based models of enterprise computing. In the "Significant Trends in Software"
section of the report, PwC covers the development of non-browser solutions, including the REBOL Internet Operating
System.
Described as a reverse in the shift towards browser centric solutions, PwC comments "...
as the limitations of browser-only clients became apparent, a number of vendors began to offer software that provides
client applications with more interactivity, automatic updating of information from server-based applications,
and an easier-to-use development environment."
The browser's shortcomings include the limited functionality of the browser when compared to
the power of local client-based programs, the static nature of most browser content, the inherent latency in the
browser/server request model, and the developmental complexity required to implement and maintain modern browser-based
applications.
PricewaterhouseCoopers summarizes, "Despite this history and the advantages of using the
browser as a client, there [has] been a resurgence of interest in non-browser client software. As occurred almost
a decade ago with the original two-tier thick client architecture, the shortcomings of the browser-based architecture
have become apparent as it has come into more widespread use."
The forecast report also mentions the X Internet concept of computing where client devices share
more of the application workload and communicate with servers in a more intelligent manner. The X Internet trend
was recognized two years ago by George Coloney, the founder and CEO of Forrester Research, and is one of the primary
advantages offered by REBOL IOS.
The PwC report also observes the association between real-time computing and non-browser clients,
mentioning the December 2001 issue of Esther Dyson's Release 1.0
where editor Kevin Werbach describes how vendors are providing non-browser client software to improve real-time
visibility of enterprise business processes.
REBOL Technologies is listed in the PricewaterhouseCoopers forecast along with eight other companies
that are part of this emerging trend in computing.
The PricewaterhouseCoopers Technology Forecast 2002-2004 is available in off-line format only and can be obtained from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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