Not since the advent of software development toolkits has a technology captured the imagination of the software development community like browsers. Browsers are being used to provide the interfaces for an increasingly broad range of applications, from Internet sites intended largely for entertainment to large government systems. For example, one large government program is using a browser-based interface to access a database of technical drawings. Browsers simplify the development of any distributed system. Browser-based systems are always easier to install and upgrade.
Browsers have robust and well-considered security models.
Poor performance in browsers is a result of network latency. In some cases a browser-based design may be optimal for example, in the development of a distributed system that is principally hypertext. The problem is that the ubiquity and popularity of browsers is dangerously misleading and leads to a thoughtless, high-risk adoption of browser technology in inappropriate settings. By identifying both the benefits and risks of browser-based designs we hope to educate developers of distributed systems so that they may make informed decisions about the use of browsers in their systems.