This is a pretty simple future idea, and one that I think we will hopefully see in the next few years: computer settings that follow you from machine to machine.
Currently, when you log onto a computer, it checks your permissions against a local file, and then displays your desktop relating to that single computer. With more and more computers going onto the Internet, why wouldn’t you check login permissions based on a central server, and display the desktop and applications relating to that account, rather than that single computer?
While many people talk about an Internet based operating system, I think the first step should be an Internet based user authentication system that pulls the basic “display and organization” settings from the Internet.
Microsoft could implement something like this fairly easily. The advantage being that you would always have the desktop you know and love, on nearly any computer connected to the Internet. Also, if you were using storage space on the web, and had it mapped as a drive, it would be there waiting for you.
Lastly, while it might not be feasible to have all your applications follow you around, it should be easy enough to correctly implement the settings you use on certain applications that are installed on the computer you are using.
Say you are using a friends computer, and they have an FTP program. That FTP program is the same as you use at home. When you log into your custom account, it should poll the computer to see what software it has, if there are any matches to the software you use on your primary computer, it should drag the related settings to your account on your friends computer, allowing you to easily FTP into your site with any saved session data you may have at home.
Syncing would be a real pain for this type of “bring your home experience with you” Operating System, but in the end, most everyone I know has tweaked their settings in one way or another at home, creating efficiencies that are lost when hopping onto someone else’s computer.
While I think an operating system on the Internet might be too large, heavy and frustrating, this idea could be the bridging step to that goal, as the file size related to a database of information, settings, background images, network shares, and more would most likely be miniscule compared to transferring a whole operating system.
Does this idea have any merit, or am I just crazy? Let me know in the comments below.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, But…
I wonder at how applicable it will be to most folks. Most corporate IT departments would turn this off the instant it was available as it would make support really difficult for them, and aside from work, and home, I really don’t switch computers that often.
I know a lot of people do, and for them great. Also good if you are buying a new computer, but are the overheads of what goes wrong when there is no connection worth it?
Nah, make it easy for corporations to manage by allowing corporations a key to set a server that serves up the profiles. So work profiles and home profiles stay separate.
Also, I don’t think it would add to support concerns. They could still limit what you could install on your work computer, they could install the applications you need. Then maybe have an admin setting to allow them to filter what is transferred so only your desktop icons, backgrounds, and certain per applications settings followed you around (browser favourites?).
As for computers that aren’t hooked to the Internet, they act as most computers today with local access policies and users.
I use far too many computers, and I hate bringing MY computer to show someone something. That’s where the idea came from.
OS in the Cloud is coming… How will you deal with that and will it really change your life?
When it comes it will seem so normal that it will make no difference. Take that to mean it will be a while.
Personally I am happy enough to use whatever computer is lying around.
I hope they do it though, just for you.