or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the WebApp

I’m down to basically my FTP client and Photoshop. Photoshop may fade fast now that SplashUp is here.

Unless I feel like playing GTA:VC or one of the other quickly aging games on my PC, then everything I do is online. I’ve already inundated you with tales of Google’s superiority, and I know there are things that I do on the computer that are different that the vast majority of people surfing the web. I do graphic design and web development and design. I use a metric buttload of RSS feeds on Reader.

Right now, my PC functions as nothing more than a storage facility for files like digital pictures and music files.

I recognize the fact that I am not a “typical” computer user anymore, but I think I’m actually adopting the usage that the next generation will take for granted. I also think that the Web2 mentality is what has caused Microsoft so much trouble with Vista. More and more we find that it’s not what’s on our computer, but what is on the web. Increasing access to knowledgeable developers with shared platforms and increasingly followed web standards (not to mention the incredible influence of the Open Source community) leads us to web apps that do things we never even thought to want for. Take Sandy for example. From any email accessible device I can send my “personal assistant” an email that says “Remember Mom’s Birthday 12/24/07 @yealry” and each year from now on Sandy will remind me via email and SMS to get it taken care of.

Not to beat a dead horse, but my iphone, (mine as soon as I get it) already breaks the mold in most cases by relying on webapps (especially if you jailbreak) to do so many things. I was telling a colleague the other day about why he might consider an iPhone over a blackberry despite the cost difference. The biggest reason for me is that I’m using many of the same apps on the iPhone as on my computer – any computer for that matter – and I’m not locked in to Outlook or any other specific piece of software (besides iTunes).

I’m tired of being locked in. In looking at the business the other day I realized that we rested upon a nasty little precipice. We have the two most important functions of the business locked in to proprietary software (well, I just don’t like the hoops you have to jump through with QuickBooks). It scares me. Now I’m merging my personal and business contacts in to Highrise and teaching Joe (Dad/Boss) how to manage his customer relations through that.

A little later I’m going to be writing about what software is need for my industry, and how it relates to software development in the future. Oh, and is it really software? Stay tuned…

What are your favorite Web2.0 Apps?