Workspot

Workspot
www.workspot.com

Workspot was the first GNU/Linux desktop Web Service, i.e. it provided Open Source personal computing without computer ownership. Launched 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 GNU/Linux'. It eventually began to charge for a remote, web-accessible, persistent desktop, and several desktop collaboration features. Workspot won Linux Journal's Best Web Application award for 2000. It is currently not active.

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 and Noble, Amazon, Metro Traffic etc., as well as client-server software for OmniSky, Palm and others.

Workspot released AES encryption patches for VNC.