For a long time I have seen various organisations, companies and individuals try and define what thick clients will be used for in the future, what web sites will be used for in the future, and where web services fit into all of this.
We already have ‘rich’ Internet technology, we now also have very compelling thick client technologies, even available on mobile devices too!!
Lately though, Microsoft has released their ‘Live’ services and programs to match.
What does this mean though? Well, From an architectural perspective it comes down to this:
The web is utilised more for presentation, and baseline functionality is also provided here. Even though the web is becoming more and more functional with very rich user interfaces, and can be used as a ‘computing from anywhere approach’. The client is written to provide a ‘richer’ environment for the user. And with the advent of very compelling frameworks such as the Windows Presentation Framework (WPF) and Windows Communication Framework (WCF), these applications are no longer bound to stand alone, or client-server arrangements – They have the ability to invoke and interact with the services on the web.
An example of this may be Windows Live Writer, where a user can enter in blogs, and ‘manage’ the way their blog site works, etc… On the web, the functionality is still there, and there are a ‘bunch’ of underlying services, such as logging into the blog with your account, making posts, etc…
To me, this will become more of a way of the future, as the computer at our offices, homes and in the field become more and more converged with the Internet, intranet and extranets in ways that no longer lock anyone into one particular paradigm of developing solution – by this I mean, only web, only rich client, etc…
I believe it may have ‘the ugly period’ until it becomes more apparent as to how to utilise the technologies in a harmonious and eloquent manner, but i am sure there will be many attempts to ‘define’ what that may be 🙂
John Zantey 