 | |
| Developer(s) | iCUBE Network Solutions |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 0.07.003 (05.11.2007)
|
| Type | Web application |
| License | GPL |
| Website | Official OOS Website |
OOS (short for "Online Operating System") is a web desktop (also called webtop or web based operating system). The OOS is similar to webtops such as YouOS or other so called "web based operating systems". The main idea behind OOS is to "shift the focus of the web from clumsy page-based interaction to the intuitiveness and usability that is known from offline programs"[1]. It should be possible to work with windows/frames which consist of several controls (Tree, TableView, Button, Label, etc.) which build up a complex UI (user interface). Each user has the possibility to create his/her own application by using a built in IDE (called "Developer Suite")
The basis of the OOS is a JavaScript API (Application Programming Interface) named reBOX. As it is written in [2] "The API provides a reasonable set of elementary constructs and components (such as windows, buttons, text and image elements, etc.), a comprehensive communication framework as well as integrated style and multi-language support".
History of OOS edit
The first online version (available for the public) was launched after two years of work in march 2007 which provided only basic functionality like file management, user registration and image viewing. Three month later, in june, the second version was deployed which provided additional functionality like file sharing, flash integration and media player. The last update was in october 2007.
Advantages and drawbacks of a webtop edit
Pro edit
Convenience:
- Own a personalized desktop on every PC which has a simple internet browser installed
Simple Software Management:
- Always use the latest software
- No need to install updates/patches
- No need for software to distribute software over the network
Other points:
- Minimum hardware requirements
- High security niveau (if using https)
- Less downtime (one single system can be protected easier than twenty)
Contra edit
- Low security niveau (if using no https)
- Internet connection (it is necessary to connect to a server to download all files needed to display the UI)
Architecture edit
As shown in the image to the right OOS consists of two main parts:
1. Client: Is a Firefox (v.1.5 and upwards) or an Internet Explorer (v7.0 and upwards) which displays windows and controls, starts programs and communicates with the server by using AJAX. As it is shown in the image all applications base on the reBOX Framework which itself bases on JavaScript, AJAX and CSS. AJAX is used for client-server communication and CSS is used for style handling.
2. Server: Handles incoming requests from browsers (or any external application which knows how to use OOS's web services), processes them and forwards the response back to the client (synchronously or asychronously by using HTTP pushing technology). The Service dispatcher is responsible for receiving incoming requests and forward it to the appropriate service implementation. The service may access a database (currently by using Hibernate). All applications are written in Java.
Articles discussing webtops edit
- Advantages of a webtop (german)
- Article about OOS (german)
- Another article about OOS (german)
- Another article about OOS (french)
- Another article about OOS (spanish)
- An austrian webtop (german)
- Reviews of several webtops
- Reviews of several webtops (french)
- Brief description of 45 other webtops
- Links to 45 other webtops (spanish)