If the days of stand-alone apps dies, I'll continue to use my existing, old stand alone apps.
I had this argument at Microsoft TechEd last year, in a discussion session on "software as services" versus "software with services". I argue that web-based apps will never be universally accepted, as most businesses and individuals would rather buy their software once than have to depend on a 3rd party:
-Companies go out of business. Even Microsoft will discontinue a product if it isn't profitable (ask Money users).
-The servers/internet connection go down. Ran into this one myself trying to check into an Econo Lodge once; they couldn't even tell what rooms had guests in them, and couldn't check me in. I found a (much nicer anyway) Sleep-Inn not far away.
-Web based apps change frequently, causing retraining and retooling efforts to be continuous.
-The web model pretty much only supports a subscription model, which can cost a lot more over longer time periods. Of course, when I used my copy of Office 2000 still running fine on my laptop as an example I was mocked mercilessly. Apparently I have no pride as a geek to be running anything but the latest and "greatest". I suppose I should not have been surprised at a Microsoft conference.
As for the Google Chrome OS, it actually explains a lot for me. I suspect now that the entire purpose of Chrome was to be a platform for Google's web apps running on their own OS. They now have a complete software solution to sell for netbooks with no dependencies on 3rd parties.