Business Idea #0001: Internet Computing

We're moving closer and closer to complete online data storage. Yahoo, for example, allows us to store stuff in My Yahoo Briefcase. There are literally hundreds of other online repositories that allow us to store and retrieve files online for free or for a small fee. There's a download that allows us to turn our gmail account into a "virtual hard disk", which appears under the My Computer tree or in the Windows Explorer tree. We can drag and drop files into this virtual hard disk, delete them, move them, do everything we do with our physical hard disk.

Storing data online is tremendously useful. I can, for example, create a PowerPoint presentation, store it in My Yahoo Briefcase and then run it from a potential client's computer. I don't have to carry a notebook or even a CD around. I don't have to worry about backing up my data. The online repositories do that and they are far more disciplined and dedicated when it comes to regular backups and mirror sites.

How about taking it to the extreme?

Why not do all our computing online?

Let's say there's a server that offers this facility. All we need is a net-enabled PC (one brand is called a Net PC) that can run a browser. The server has all the software and we pay as we use. No more buying software we don't need just because it's bundled with other software or because we might need it once in a while.

For example, how many home computer users actually use Excel? They may need it occasionally but most of the time it's just sitting around on their hard disks, occupying space. The same goes for specialised software like photo editing software or audio creation software.

Now, if all this software were available for use on a remote server via the internet, we need never worry about upgrades or software crashes or reinstalling software or compatibility issues.

Hardware will become cheaper, software piracy will vanish and everybody will win.

There, that's business idea #0001.