Web or Desktop Application?

Austin Milbarge writes: I'm redesigning a database application I've written in Windows and I would like the application to work from the web with minimal installation headaches. I've narrowed my decision down to either developing the software in Java Swing and then using WebStart as a means to deploy it, or write the whole thing in JSP as a dynamic web application. I like the web application idea because it will work with any browser and requires zero installation for the user. However, developing a desktop Java application gives the developer more control over dialogs, widgets, etc and besides I'm not all that convinced yet with dynamic web pages replacing full featured MDI applications. Web application development seems like a real pain in the ***. Perhaps I'm wrong. Finally, if I were to write a web application I'd like to shy away from using Microsoft servers so I guess that would disqualify ASP.NET. Any suggestions?