Introduction | Advantages | Standards | Software | Security
Communications | Objections | Conclusion | References

Imposing a standard user interface, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, for the front-end of all applications will have significant implications on computers and software. No longer will it be necessary for users to learn several different applications, because all applications will look the same. Unlike MS Office, users will not have to open separate applications for different functions. Word processing, database management, presentations, spreadsheets, and Internet functions (E-mail and WWW) will be included in the same package - with the same interface (browser). Conceivably, the network computer, combined with this new client technology, will offer an array of applications under the same format- making it much easier to learn new programs and applications.

Oracle already has plans to introduce a product that will serve as an open solution, HTML-enabled "office suite." InterOffice, a web-based collaborative software package developed completely in Java, will compete with other software suites such as MS Office, Lotus Suite, Corel Suite, and others. Microsoft, Corel, Lotus/IBM, and the other major suite providers are also working on Internet-based office products- but Oracle's vision for the future strays somewhat from the others.

One clear advantage that InterOffice will have over it's competitors is it's small size. Unlike MS Office which requires 12 megabytes (MB) of memory and 89 MB of client disk space, InterOffice will only require 2 MB of memory and no client disk space. The user will simply turn on his/her NC, and be able to run such programs with complete ease, and without expensive hardware.

Another distinct advantage of the NC (and server-supplied software) is that all backups, upgrades, and maintenance will be done centrally from the network server. This will enable customers to spend more time on working, and less time on system maintenance. This is also good for Information Systems (IS) departments who will gain from the centralized nature of the NC, similar to that of the mainframe era. This will provide IS shops with more centralized control and accountability, resulting in increased systems performance- while still giving the user autonomy and flexibility that distributed systems offer.

Operating Systems

In determining which operating system (OS) will become the NC industry standard, Java once again seems to be the leader. JavaOS, the customized Java-interpreting operating system from Sun (formerly code-named Kona) seems to be the hottest contender. Other companies are also vying to sell the industry on their operating systems. Apple's Pippin technology incorporates a cut-down version of the MAC OS, while Microsoft has allegedly been working on developing an OS (Windows CE) to use as a NC OS.