[Info-vax] VMware

[Phillip Helbig undress to reply]

In article <qspii2$v47$1 at dont-email.me>, Dave Froble
<davef at tsoft-inc.com> writes: 

> > Virtual desktops are a thing. Your "desktop" no longer is a box under your
> > desk, but a VM in a datacenter somewhere. You connect to it via your laptop.
> 
> I detest laptops, tablets, and smart phones.  But that's me as a 
> developer.  Not going to happen on devices with non-friendly input devices.

Not really relevant here.  You can also connect via a normal PC (a.k.a. 
fat client).  Think of an X-terminal; you have a nice screen and 
keyboard and mouse and whatever you want, but that is just a front end 
to the real application running elsewhere.  You get something which 
looks like a normal PC interface with the start button and everything; 
it's just not running locally.

> I do use a tablet as a book reader, and sometimes as a moving map 
> navigation device when flying.  I admit that such devices do well for 
> users of technology.

For reading a PDF file, for internet while travelling, etc., tablets are 
fine.  Ebook readers are even better for ebooks, but not really relevant 
here.

> > It runs a standard image. If it is badly broken, it gets automatically
> > reimaged on request with the standard image.
> 
> A powerful argument.
> 
> > Saves power, hardware and more importantly: support costs.

Right.  That's why people do it.

> But you still got the laptop, desktop, or other user interface.

But that is just a front end, with no real meat there---no storage to be 
backed up, no software to install, etc.