Why thin ain't in anymore
Speed. The thin client solutions that have become so prevalent in the past 16 months just don't have it. Thin clients require high bandwidth to refresh all the data being fed to the screen of a browser or even a PQA (Palm Query Application, introduced with the Palm VII).

Suppose a mobile worker wanted to go from one worksheet to another sheet inside of a workbook and was using a WAP-based or browser-based tool? These types of thin clients would require the host to send a screen refresh over a 9800 connection. Though browser-based tools are great when sitting at a PC in your office on a T-1 Internet connection, adapting these tools to even the most powerful handhelds at the end of a 9600 kbps connection is folly. The smart client approach used in Quickoffice Conference reveals its lean performance agility by sending only the discrete command information across the conference to the peer applications operating in concert.

When typical thin client solutions are used, only a "host" can input and feed information. The other participants have view-only rights. Using smart clients, multiple inputs can be made simultaneously, enabling participants to collaborate as a team instead of "handing off the microphone" one at a time.

Off-line functionality remains the biggest advantage of smart clients. After completing a conference session, all of the users have the application and the file on their devices. Everyone can save the file, make additional changes, print, synchronize the file back to their desktop, etc. With thin clients, the functionality is gone as soon as the connection is broken.

It is our expectation--yes, perhaps hope--that with the proliferation of new devices, many developers will follow our lead in incorporating conferencing technology into their applications. Applications designed for data collection, graphics, complex algorithms and analytics, and multi-player games all benefit from this form of data-conferencing technology. Around the bend, look for dozens and then hundreds of new, smart connected applications to capitalize on the next wave of connected devices' capabilities.

Finally, please be aware that this product is not compatible with Palm.net. It requires a device or accessory that can maintain a TCP/IP connection.

Paul Moreton is the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Cutting Edge Software. Michael Compeau is a five year veteran Palm OS device geek sporting no less than 10 handhelds and cradles on his desk. He's also the VP of Business Development and Planning for Cutting Edge Software, Inc.