Workspot

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Short description: Former Linux web service

Workspot was the first Linux desktop Web Service, i.e. it provided Open Source personal computing without computer ownership.[1][2] Founded by Greg Bryant, Gal Cohen, Kathy Giori, Curt Brune, Benny Soetarman, Bruce Robertson, and Asao Kamei,[3] in 1999, it was the first application service to make use of Virtual Network Computing. Workspot also hosted a free Linux Desktop demo using VNC: 'one-click to Linux'[4] It eventually began to charge for a remote, web-accessible, persistent desktop, and several desktop collaboration features.[5] Workspot won Linux Journal's Best Web Application award for 2000.[6][7] Badly hit by the dotcom crash, it ceased activity by 2005.[8]

Workspot was based in downtown Palo Alto, California during the dotcom boom, and funded its free desktop service through wireless contracting: they may have been the first mobile web app shop, involved in creating the first mobile apps for Google, eBay, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Metro Traffic etc., as well as client-server software for OmniSky and Palm.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Workspot released AES encryption patches for VNC.

Workspot's domain and name was sold in 2013 to Workspot, Inc.[citation needed]

References

  1. Gulker, Chris (February 28, 2000). "Immortal Machines". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/everything-you-ever-wanted-on-an-immortal-machine-709736.html. 
  2. Cohen, Eileen (April 10, 2000). "Linux-friendly ASP surfaces". CNN. http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/04/10/linux.asp.idg/index.html. 
  3. Tina Gasperson, linux.com (January 23, 2003) Workspot Linux
  4. Lord, Timothy (March 20, 2000). "Workspot Offers Free Web-based Linux Accounts". Slashdot. http://slashdot.org/story/00/03/19/2347203/workspot-offers-free-web-based-linux-accounts. 
  5. Varghese, Sam (January 30, 2003). "Available Now in a Browser Near You". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/30/1043804458991.html. 
  6. "Linux Journal: Linux Journal and LINUX Business Expo Post Winners of Second Annual Penguin Playoffs". Linux Today. http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2000111601606PRCY. Retrieved 5 May 2013. 
  7. Marti, Don (November 29, 2000). "Spotlight on the Winners: WorkSpot". Linux Journal. http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5365. Retrieved 5 May 2013. 
  8. "Happening People". Eugene Weekly. September 18, 2008. http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2008/09/18/news.html. 
  9. "Workspot selected by Omnisky". Businesswire. July 25, 2000. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WorkSpot+Selected+by+OmniSky+to+Deploy+Wireless+Internet+Service.-a063663600. 
  10. "Omnisky selects Google". Google, Inc.. May 3, 2000. http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2000/05/omnisky-selects-googles-award-winning.html. 
  11. "eBay goes Wireless". eBay, Inc.. October 4, 1999. http://pages.ebay.com/aboutebay98/releases/9910.html. 
  12. "OmniSky: Google's first mobile product". http://www.gregbryant.com/omnisky/index.html. 
  13. "eBay's first mobile application". http://www.gregbryant.com/ebay/index.html. 
  14. "The first Location Based Service". http://www.gregbryant.com/lbs/index.html. 
  15. "Barnes & Noble Mobile Initiative". Barnes & Noble. May 2, 2000. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ir/press/archive/2000/050200.asp.