Virtual desktop trifecta at Web 2.0 Expo

Several exhibitors at next week's Web 2.0 Expo are recreating the desktop workspace experience by using new Web technologies such as Ajax and Adobe Flex. This isn't a new idea, but what is interesting is how many of them have forgone creating their own tools and stuck to integrating existing Web services in a stylized portal platform.

Zcubes attempts to emulate a desktop workspace with nearly 30 different tools that mimic desktop applications. With most of the tools relegated to things like casual drawing, comic strips, and Web browsing, the emphasis of the suite is fun.

G.ho.st (Global Hosted Operating SysTem) calls itself a "virtual computer," which for the most part is true. The service borrows some style cues from Windows XP and has floating widgets like what you'd find on YourMinis. It uses Pandora as a music jukebox, and Meebo as an IM client. G.ho.st users also get 3 GB of free online storage, which can be used for saving things while away from a home PC.

Sparc integrates Thinkfree Office, 50 GB of online storage, instant messaging, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and a DVD conversion tool. Sparc is a little different from the other two apps, as it requires a small, self-running Java download to get going. We're interested to see the pricing and partnerships with this one, as 50GB of Web storage isn't something that's being handed out for free these days.

See also: Peepel, YouOs, Xcerion.

Related: Web OS: coming to a desktop near you

[Subcomandante.Fritz]

Sparc promo code?

Would it be possible to get a SPARC promo code? Thanks!

[neen001]

Sparc promo code

You don't need one. Just leave it blank and continue.

[islandlivin]

here you go

FRMRBYS21798

[trialmanager]

It doesn't work

Do not accept any username, "Contact us" is not available nor any info on how to get a promo code.

[moccrapsteg]

It does work

The promocode is posted in another message, but here it is again:

FRMRBYS21798

Also on the sparc web site at http://www.getsparc.com/contactsparc.html
there are 4 methods for contacting Sparc listed including an email address.

You can register without the promocode and get 1 GB of storage.

[padamou]

Sure does work...!!!

You don't even need a promocode... The first 2500 signups get 50 Gigs Free for one year. All you need to do, is to sign up, and start using..!!

[trialmanager]

Oh, no, another socializing thing ...

... and nothing more is avalilable. The 50 Gb is not worhfull if there are no sophisticated productivity applications one can not buy elsewhere or if one cannot afford to buy it. For the time being, any external drive already provides the needed GB storage.

[ChatwebVPN]

Sparc - I'm loving it!

In spite of the small Java download issue with Sparc, it is a great tool in my arsenal. I share large files, communicate easily with my contacts, and back up everything in my online storage space. I share information, movies, music - I can see this webtop VPN becoming everyone's best friend!

[remoteworker]

Can't live without it.

It took a little bit of commitment for me to get used to Sparc. But once I decided to adopt it as my browser, I was hooked. I work from home and spend all day in Sparc. Sharing files with my clients has never been easier, and keeping in touch with my remote coworkers is a snap! For me, the occaissional "beta" hiccup has been minor compared to all the benefits I'm getting here. PLUS... it seems they are adding new features all day long! I really recommend giving it a serious try.... and if you don't like it today, try it again tomorrow.

[remoteworker]

Can't live without it.

It took a little bit of commitment for me to get used to Sparc. But once I decided to adopt it as my browser, I was hooked. I work from home and spend all day in Sparc. Sharing files with my clients has never been easier, and keeping in touch with my remote coworkers is a snap! For me, the occaissional "beta" hiccup has been minor compared to all the benefits I'm getting here. PLUS... it seems they are adding new features all day long! I really recommend giving it a serious try.... and if you don't like it today, try it again tomorrow.

[Bill Hamel]

New software Sparc at show

The user manual has been added today...awesome

[techidude]

Zcubes is not just fun

Josh,
I am sure if you have gotton a chance to look at it its album, word processor, 3D paint but if anyone uses all the tools offered by ZCubes (www.zcubes.com) intelligently, i guess it is the most powerful way of expressing on the web.

[creativ97]

ZCubes paint online

The ZPaint examples shown in the ZCubes site are great, considering they are vector drawings. Can you convert ZPaint to SVG?

[evilc79]

G.ho.st creator on his latest WebOS offering

G.ho.st is surely a great concept. I don't know much about the technical aspect of G.ho.st but its functionality excites me.. I saw an interview of its creator, Zvi Schreiber. You can read about the man himself and his aims to ultimately move the whole computer onto the web at Los Creador - http://www.loscreador.com/2007/05/29/interview-with-the-ghost-zvi-schreiber

[cmysites]

New Virtual Desktops

The problem with these is they are not open source and I see more potential for growth by offering people the ability to access the source code and develop applications that are able to build off of that source code. I think once developers get involved in open platforms as they have with facebook and others, there will be real growth in the webtop section of websites.
--
Max Bailey.
http://www.cmyblogs.com - Free Online Blogging
http://www.cmyos.com - Free Online Operating System