Identity systems change the client/server decision

brad — Thu, 12 May 2005 05:50:25 -0700

There have been many efforts at internet "identity" systems, such as Microsoft Passport, Liberty Alliance, and a variety of others. A recent conference was held in SF, though I didn't go, but I thought it was time to put forward one important idea.

These days, it's common in designing computer systems to make an engineering decision on where they will fit in the client/server model. Putting functions on a server has many advantages -- it's often cheaper to code, and there is central control, maintenance and updating of the servers. It easily allows roaming and can be more efficient. Tools on clients are more work to code and maintain but can be much faster, make use of client resources and provide much better user interfaces. Often the decision is to work out the right mix of both. The more client tools like javascript become available, the easier it is to take a commonly client based app like Email and turn it into gmail.

Also, sometimes something goes into a server because business rules demand it. You can only make money from it as a service you sell, so you build it that way.

Brad Ideas - Identity systems change the client/server decision - Comments

Identity systems change the client/server decision