Thin Client Systems

[skazz]

There are some weird definitions of thin clients here. Most of you are actually talking about server-based computing.

Definitions:

• Server-based computing is the datacenter and software side which is usually required to actually use a thin client system, but server-based computing can be used from any device with the appropriate client (be it a dedicated citrix client or just a web browser). However the thread is asking about thin clients not SBC.
  
• Thin client systems are generally shitty lowest end devices which are basically a network stack, GPU, screen, keyboard and mouse. They have no local OS other than "just enough" to act as an SBC client. These things are useful in certain highly locked down cost efficiency scenarios to complement server-based computing.

So let's think about 2 typical use cases for thin clients:
1. To provide locked down computing devices in public or shared spaces, with no local content. Rip and replace, low cost and low value.
2. To save costs on company end users in a locked down SBC environment. I.e. instead of work laptops.


For me (1) remains a very valid use case of thin clients. However, any company which foists (2) on actual employees is inflicting cruel and unusual punishment. Thankfully Covid happened and almost all companies realized that they have to put secure computing practices into place despite allowing work from home - this must have dramatically reduced the ability of those companies foisting (2) on their employees to stick to that policy, since I highly doubt they could effectively get their employees to take thin clients and monitors home with them.


So let's consign (2) to the garbage bin. (1) is a suitable use case for thin clients. (2) should be just SBC into whatever client device the end user has on hand to use, be it BYOD or a company laptop.

 

[skazz]

I don't understand why (2) is offensive to you.

My work desk has a tiny Dell thin client, which is perfectly adequate for logging into my virtual machine. I don't want a work laptop that I have to schlep on the subway, given that I have a 34" screen, a full keyboard, and a full mouse waiting for me. Are you suggesting that I should instead want a company laptop or have to drag my own in each workday?

I guess my assumption was wrong: I was assuming that any company which provides thin clients also provides a very locked down and restricted SBC implementation which just isn't pleasant to work with.

If you can access your own dedicated virtual machine and don't have to worry about unnecessarily annoying restrictions then I agree it's not too bad. But I'm rather surprised you would actually still have a dedicated work desk in these post-Covid times. So many companies are turning offices into meeting places rather than work places.