Librenix: The Network Computer: An Opportunity for Linux

“Sometimes you will hear of a network computer referred to as a
‘thin client.’ While there is some overlap in usage, the two terms
originated in opposite realms. ‘Thin client’ historically refers to
a small, simple software client that runs only the user interface
for a multiuser application. In an increasingly broad range of
applications a web browser is used, without modification, as this
client tier.

“The term ‘network computer’, on the other hand, is usually used
to refer to a small footprint PC replacement that appears, at first
glance, to serve a similar function as the mainframe terminal of
years past, but with mouse input and a graphical color display. The
fusion of the two terms is probably due to the fact that the
network computer includes a thin client in its firmware. While this
article is nominally about network computers, some of the points
that I will discuss here are actually about the thin client
software that is an inherent part of the network computer (NC)
itself…”

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