> Cynics might of course argue that we have come full circle, from thick client to butt back to thick client, but that would miss the point of what "the edge" is all about: In a world of increasingly ubiquitous computing power we are well advised to reflect on where our computation happens and how we can make the most efficient use of the resources at our disposal.
Which is exactly why we the cynics say we've come full circle.
Also, while the cyclical nature of client/server design seems to be a thing, unfortunately underlying ownership is not cyclical. For instance, a cycle or two ago, the "edge" computer meant software I bought running on my machine. This cycle, it means software I don't have any stake in running on machine I lease and have little control about.
This is the part of the trend that's worrying to me. Cycles of thin/thick clients are irrelevant. Disenfranchising end users is a problem.
Which is exactly why we the cynics say we've come full circle.
Also, while the cyclical nature of client/server design seems to be a thing, unfortunately underlying ownership is not cyclical. For instance, a cycle or two ago, the "edge" computer meant software I bought running on my machine. This cycle, it means software I don't have any stake in running on machine I lease and have little control about.
This is the part of the trend that's worrying to me. Cycles of thin/thick clients are irrelevant. Disenfranchising end users is a problem.