Method, system, and program for using a remotely accessed desktop interface and network drive to access a shared file system

A system for accessing a shared file system that is accessible to a first computer, wherein the shared file system includes files in at least one file format compatible with at least one application program installed on the first computer, comprising:

• means for receiving a request from an Internet browser program executing on a second computer for a desktop over the Internet;
• means for transmitting the applet to the browser program at the second computer, wherein the applet is a distinct computer program from the browser program, wherein the applet is capable of executing in the browser program at the second computer and includes:
• (i) means for displaying a desktop interface at the second computer;
• (ii) means for establishing a connection with the shared file system;
• and
• (iii) means for providing access to at least one desktop application program through the desktop interface that is compatible with at least one application program installed on the first computer system, wherein the desktop application program manipulates files in the same file format as the at least one application program installed on the first computer system, wherein the applet and the desktop application program are different and distinct computer programs, wherein the applet transmitted from the first computer to the second computer is capable of providing access to a file in the shared file system to the desktop application program on the second computer, wherein the desktop application program on the second computer and the one application program on the first computer are of a same application program type, and wherein the applet allows the desktop application program on the second computer to manipulate the file in the shared file system in the same file format as the one application program on the first computer.

An article of manufacture for accessing a shared file system that is accessible to a first computer, wherein the shared file system includes files in at least one file format compatible with at least one application program installed on the first computer, the article of manufacture comprising computer useable media accessible to the computer system, wherein the computer usable media includes at least one applet program that is capable of executing in an Internet browser program to cause a second computer to perform:

• displaying a desktop interface at the second computer;
• establishing a connection with the shared file system;
• and
• providing access to at least one desktop application program trough the desktop interface that is compatible with at least one application program installed on the first computer system, wherein the desktop application program manipulates files in the same file format as the at least one application program installed on the first computer system, wherein the applet and the desktop application program are different and distinct computer programs, wherein the applet is a distinct computer program from the browser program, wherein the applet transmitted form the first computer to the second computer is capable of providing access to a file in the shared file system to the desktop application program on the second computer, wherein the desktop application program on the second computer and the one application program on the first computer are of a same application program type, and wherein the applet allows the desktop application program on the second computer to manipulate the file in the shared file system in the same file format as the one application program on the first computer.