Bangalore: A dozen creative young programmers at a Delhi-based start-up has announced the "world''s first Windows-based online desktop." Called Nivio, it helps one to create a full-fledged, but entirely virtual, desktop of one''s own — on the web.

The idea is that the applications we use on our desktop or laptop personal computers will all eventually migrate to the web, they say. Players like Google already offer their users the ability to create and save documents and presentations entirely through a browser. But it''s still piece-meal and in driblets.

The trial version of the beta or advanced prototype offers the full Windows XP look and feel; 5 gigabytes of storage, and all the standard desktop features such as file back-up, virus and spam protection. The free bundle of software tools includes the ``OpenOffice'''' suite, the Outlook Express email tool and the Internet Explorer browser. Also on offer are Acrobat 8 reader, iTunes and Winamp players, Yahoo Messenger, and for ``Open'''' software lovers: the choice of a Mozilla/Firefox browser and the Foxit Reader.

User reaction to Nivio has been very positive. After a free-use period that might extend to year-end, Nivio will be offered on a monthly subscription of Rs399 — with a 50 per cent discount, says founder-CEO Duggal

``It''s a whole new way of personal computing — but we are confident that we will have a million users in India alone by 2010,'''' he said.

The beta version can be accessed at www.nivio.com after a registration procedure.

The company is a recent spin-off from the Delhi -based SMX Corporation, which operates web hosting and allied services through sister concerns in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.