Thin Client

“A thin client is a computer system used to run applications
where most of the actual processing is done on a remote server
linked over a network. The local machine – the thin client
– is simply used to display the results in a way that is as
close as possible to what you might see when running the program
locally. These local machines are also called a slim or a lean
client.

“Thin clients are not new. They’re actually one of the most
basic concepts in modern computing. We used to know them more
conventionally as dumb terminals.

“Such systems consisted of a teletype or CRT, connected to the
computer in question via a coaxial cable. The terminal had little
capacity of its own except the ability to print and send text.

“Printers could execute certain auxiliary functions depending on
their make and model, functions such as sending characters to
punched tape or performing overprinting. CRTs could also perform
certain display-manipulation commands—move the cursor, clear
a line, insert or delete text, etc.—but these things were
heavily device-dependent.”

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