What's next after server virtualization? Desktop virtualization

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Desktop virtualization isn't all good

As a software developer who uses "real" desktops and virtual ones, there's no substitute for a real, local desktop. Remoting to another machine (or remoting to a VM) puts a lot of limitations in the way of video responsiveness that realistically impacts my productivity. The video latency has a big impact on things users expect to be fast, like simple text or web page scrolling (not to mention source-code editing and scrolling). To speed it up, you have to turn off important visual features like cleartype (anti-aliasing of displayed fonts) and lower the pixel depth for a poorer display, but still doesn't fix the problem. Also, videos are important, especially for developers (look at all the training videos on the MSDN site, for example) and are not possible over a terminal server connection (or Citrix... same thing, really)), which, BTW, is the best (fastest and most efficient) remote control connection available today... in comparison to GoToMyPC, LogMeIn.com, VNC, TightVNC, etc...

Then there's the privacy issue. If you're using a local desktop and you're technically competent, you know whether or not you're being watched remotely. With a remote desktop (virtual or real), you just have to assume that someone is watching. This puts a huge hamper on loyalty and just overall employee happiness. Sure, employers can install remote viewing software on local desktops, but like I said, technically competent users know what to look for.

I've been using VMWare since it was in beta and have purchased copies for my own, personal use at home and am a HUGE advocate of VM technology. But, you have to be careful how you implement it. There are more wrong ways than right ways. For example, my current work desktop has VMWare *Server* installed and I was provided with a Win2K3 server guest with Visual Studio installed. I *NEVER* use it for many reasons. One, the server product doesn't have a decent, local console. For that reason, I have to use a terminal server connection (all locally) and suffer all the remote problems mentioned above. Second, they've configured my VM to boot with my host and to shutdown with my host. They configured it in such a way that if you shut down the VMWare process on the host, it starts right back up. Reboots take forever. I eventually had to hack it to stop it from booting with my machine, though the host process is still consuming some resources (but only a tiny fraction of what it did, since I successfully disabled the VM).

Remoting (to a real machine or a VM) works in a pinch (and I used it often from home) and it's a good solution when you can't get to the office, but I would not want it to be my primary means of production, unless I had a work-at-home job (then, the convenience of working at home outweighs the other issues... at least, for me). And, if I were working at home full time, I'd find a way to get my work on my home computer and transfer the work when done (or in regular intervals).

Posted by: Digital Video Expert   Posted on: 11/11/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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