Sun's Global Desktop Released

aphaenogaster writes "Suns Global Desktop version 4.2 has been released and appears to be quite effective. Applications load very quickly, and is not limited to Sparc or Solaris. Applications piped to a desktop across a slow DSL line appear to work very well. Sun has also set up a test server for users to play with."

I'm a mere user and...

[David Hume]

FTFA:

Secure Global Desktop Software allows you to:

        * Access applications from nearly any location on the internet over a secure connection without specialized hardware

Sweet!

* Reduce costs by centralizing management of users and applications

To tell you the truth, I really don't care, but if it helps save money, leading to me getting a raise....

* Enable auditing of application usage

What??? Oh oh... I don't like this. How can I use the software for my *own* work... and play... after hours, of course.

* Dramatically reduce the time to securely deliver applications

Well, ok.

* Ensure users can access only applications they are authorized to use

And this is supposed to be an advantage? I guess I better update my resume on Monster.com... from the Starbucks down the street.

* Increase resiliency by housing application sessions at the data center and not on individual PCs

Lord knows, I'm not a techie, but it *increases* "reliliency" by having the applications located at the data center and not my PC??? And if I can't access the Data Center? Or if the application there becomes corrupt, virus infected, etc.?

More seriously, part of my compensation package, whether my employer realizes it or not, is access to applications and a modicum of control over my PC, applications, and user experience. Take those away, and I'm less than a happy camper.

Windows applications too?

[DuncanE]

Seems to only be available for download for Linux and Solaris, but the features list indicates that it can run Windows applications. Any ideas how they do this?

Re:I'm a mere user and...

[Anonymous Coward]

Obviously you live in a fantasy world.

Users are a huge problem to work with and half the time its not technical reasons, its political. Sure you could lock stuff completely down even under windows through group policies but when you get managers and CEOs complaining and have to start making exceptions it snowballs out of control easily, especially if you don't have somebody at the top of the food chain backing you up. When I started up at this company they didn't even have any clue how many licences they had for anything, they just had whatever installed on everything as needed. Our headquarters still doesn't have any clue and when leases come up they still run around and check every computer to find the ones with the right serials. Maybe if you worked in a real world enviroment you would understand that things are never that easy. Any time you lock things down you'll get somebody with clout whining about having an exception made, then another, then somebody whining for their whole department....