Mare Nostrum

Straight through the browser

We just published a new project, a web UI plug-in that lets you drag and drop files through the browser. The plug-in is fairly simple Java applet. It's beta quality code, so post any issues or questions you have in the discussion thread for this project.

Why is this project significant?

• It's another way for Macintosh users to get content into the Xythos server. We don't yet have a Macintosh version of the Xythos Drive, but many Mac users just want a way to drag and drop files into the server, without necessarily using the Mac OS implementation of WebDAV.
• It's generally useful. As a Windows user, if I'm working through the browser, I don't want to have to drill into the same folder in Microsoft Explorer to upload several files.
• No desktop configuration is involved at all. Except for the browser's Java settings, obviously.

An aside: We've also been experimenting with a button that would automatically open the same folder you're viewing in the web UI. If you're interested in that customization, speak out in the forums.

Dropping anchor to the desktop

It's interesting--well, at least to me it is--how strongly the desktop looms in the Internet age. We're not yet living in a world where you can move to any kiosk PC or dumb terminal and access all your applications and content. (Though, to be fair, organiations like Northeastern University have made big, big strides in this direction.)

No matter how long you use hosted applications like Flickr, or access content stored on the other end of an Internet connection, at some point, you need to drop anchor at the desktop. For example, I may need to work on a document while I'm on an airplane. What happens then, if I'm completely dependent on having an Internet connection to stay productive?

In reality, many users are so habituated to working from the desktop. Give them the best web-based application, and they'll still want to double-click on files, make changes, and save them back to wherever they live. Depending on the applications they use, they may not have a choice. As good as Google's spreadsheet program may be, there isn't a Web-based alternative to Adobe PhotoShop for graphic artists.

At the same time, I want, as often as possible, to have the functionality of the hosted application available while I'm working I may like what the application does to automatically preserve earlier drafts or versions of a document.

Of course, people can use the desktop badly. Users may not take care to clean up old content that needs to be deleted. They regularly fill up their e-mail accounts with e-mails crammed with attachments. It would be great if the desktop tools suggested better behavior, or in some cases, actually enforced it.

At the end of the day, the users don't care about the technology. They only care about what it does--such as being able to access my presentation from anywhere in the world.

You've now heard a plain English version of the requirements for the Xythos Drive, our desktop component. We've designed it so that it can...

1. Let people continue working from the desktop.
2. Access features available on the Xythos server (whatever flavor), such as versioning, tickets, and the like.
3. Recommend better desktop habits, such as sending links instead of attachments.
4. Let admins exert some remote control over what features are available, or what may be required (such as the links-instead-of-email behavior).
5. Use technology, such as WebDAV, that support how people work without throwing technological grit in their eyes.

That's why we have invested in the Xythos Drive, and it will remain an important part of our product offerings, including both the installable product and the "software as a service" offering, Xythos On Demand. When you hear Xythinians talk about the Xythos Drive, we have this set of assumptions in mind.