Evolution versus Revolution as a Strategy for Thin Client Acceptance: Case Study

Thin Clients have evolved from simple text based CRT dumb terminal devices in the 1960s, into a sophisticated architecture encompassing hardware, software, networks and protocols. However despite this recent evolution the Thin Client model has yet to re-emerge as a relevant design in an IT industry where Fat Clients (desktops and laptops) thrive. This paper describes two case studies performed within the Technological University Dublin School of Computing, focused on the issue of student acceptance of this technology. The first case study provides a dedicated single service Thin Client implementation, while the second case study adopts a process of coexistence with Fat Clients in addition to providing new services to users. This paper examines both approaches as strategies for the integration of Thin Client technology into a Higher Level Educational Institute and through our data analysis demonstrates that while co-existence improves acceptance there are clearly additional factors to be resolved.