Do you use host-based or web-based applications? Have you used any of the Google applications?

Do you use host-based or web-based applications? Have you used any of the Google applications?

What are advantageous and disadvantageous of using applications over the web? What are advantageous and disadvantageous of using applications on the computer?

I have used both host-based and web-based applications.  Some of the web-based applications I use are game applications.  The game developer hosts the content through a web server and players access it to play.  I have also used host-based applications to communicate with friends who hosted servers for games and for voice communication.  Some of the advantages of using applications over the web is that you do not need to download the entire program to make use of it and that multi-user programs are not dependent on the host having a good internet connection.  Some of the disadvantages of using applications over the web is that you may have to install patches and updates often to keep up with the server.  You may also experience lag and latency issues when your connection is not very good.  Some of the advantages of using applications on the computer includes the ability to use the application when working offline and having the complete program accessible.  A disadvantage of using applications on the computer would be the reliance on the host computer that has the application installed, if it has issues than you could lose all of your work.