The Networked Desktop

Once upon a time, host-based computing was the model most frequently followed when arranging for people to access computer resources. Many computer users accessed a single host computer, and they all had the same system resources at their disposal (software, printers, etc.). UNT still has host-based computing - on Jove, Sol and the Academic Mainframe - and probablyalways will. There is a definite place for this type of computer usage. A new model of computing - client/server - is becoming the method of choice for savvy personal computer users everywhere, however.

With client/server technology, you no longer have to login to a hostcomputer to gain access to E-mail services, the Internet, and/or othersoftware you are interested in using. Instead, you can use software thatruns on your desktop computer. From your desktop you can send and receiveE-mail, use your favorite word processing program, access information thatis stored on various file servers on campus, and surf the Internet withease. The software that runs on the desktop computer is called client software, and the desktop connects to the various servers via networkingtechnology.

The big advantage of the client/server model is that you can make fulluse of the capabilities of your desktop computer. Whatever methods you aremost comfortable with in terms of screen displays, icon and buttonappearance, and mouse usage are always there for you on your networkeddesktop. This issue of Benchmarks focuses on topics which mightmake it easier to connect your desktop to the Internet and use it to it'sfullest extent. Enjoy!

Table of Contents Next Article

If you have any problems or questions about this server, contact us assoon us as soon as possible. You can send mail to the following address:www@unt.edu