e-junkie is better than clickbank in all aspects. i would personally suggest u e-junkie.

My plan for my next project is that it will be both a web application and a desktop application. And all from the same build system. This is a bit bleeding edge (just a little bit), but my looking at the features included in HTML5 make this possible.

First a little teaser … What’s the one language (framework, run-time) that’s guaranteed to be installed on almost every desktop regardless of the underlying OS? Yes it’s JavaScript. But programming in JavaScript, even with libraries like JQuery and Prototype still leaves a lot to be desired.

So my plan is as follows:

– Use GWT to compile Java to JavaScript and to allow an automated build/test cycle.
– Allow all users to run the application within their web browsers.
– Allow users with an HTML5 compliant browser (specifically browsers that support the Offline Web Application and Web Storage portions of the specification) to run the web application locally on their machine (but still within the browser).
– Create an installer that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux to install Prism and the web application, so that people who prefer a desktop like application can still run one that way.
– Allow the application to synchronize its data with the server when on-line.
– Force the application to verify the registration when on-line.
– Force the application to upgrade to the latest version when on-line.

So … I think that with the possible exception of a slightly weaker defence against piracy, I’ve managed to put together a platform with a single build that satisfies both those that prefer desktop application (and those that prefer web applications but are off-line much of the time so are forced into using desktop software) and those that prefer web applications, but the system still maintains the benefits you describe in both the articles you’ve written on the subject. It potentially has the benefits of AIR and Silverlight, but doesn’t require that additional run-time environments be installed. It will even work on the IPhone/IPad because no flash is required!

What do you think? Is JavaScript our new “run anywhere” environment as others have proposed?

I have read your post for sometime and this is the first time I wrote you. I have developed Windows version of my interactive map software, as well as a web version.

However my results are very different from yours. Most of my customers still prefer to buy the Windows version, even I get more ‘signups’ everyday than ‘downloads’. But the conversion ratio to sale is much higher for users who download the windows version.

My understanding is that many of my customers are actually business buyers, so they would prefer to pay for a ‘license’ which is very easy for them to explain to their management or boss.

The web-based concept is still new to many business users. I would think it would be good for your business (at least no harm), if you keep both versions on your website. As you were giving out both to your users anyway. You can simply state that you will no longer support the Windows version?