Thin-client computing has an obvious appeal. Thin clients let IT managers leverage their investment in building reliable standards-based network infrastructures. They can deliver a software environment that approaches the four-9's--that is, the 99.99 percent reliability of the public phone system--and they can do so for less money. And while much has been made of the falling prices of desktop hardware, real savings are achieved by reducing IT staff overhead.

Thin clients offer better security, improved reliability, more flexible deployment and upgrades, and, most important, less opportunity for users to tinker with their computers. All the TCO (total cost of ownership) models are in agreement here. But are you willing to inflict such change on users who love their PCs? Maybe you should be, but not so fast.