What iWork.com Doesn’t Do, and What that Means -
With MobileMe but especially with iWork.com, Apple is weighing in on this debate. Their position is that web applications are not replacements to desktop applications, but complements — much like the iPhone is best used as a satellite device to the desktop,1 web applications will extend desktop applications in unique ways, but will not replace them.
Interesting perspective from Kyle Baxter on why iWork.com only offers collaboration in the form of notes and comments, as opposed to directly editing the document. While I do think some of those features are in the pipeline, and warrant iWork.com’s current ‘beta’ title, I think Kyle is correct in distinguishing Apple’s vision for software as a service on ‘the cloud‘:
To use web applications to compliment desktop apps. Not replace them.
Personally, that’s something I’m much more comfortable living with.
