But this is so backwards. Hardware is getting cheaper not more expensive. Why do I need to limit my resource requirements - what advantage will that bring in 5 years time. I should be able to do most anything low end hardware at that point.

The one resource that isn't getting cheaper currently and where there are likely issues is with bandwidth - so why build a system that increases bandwidth use and dependancies on that.

Furthermore in what way does running stuff through a browser increase resource efficiency? It pure and simple doesn't. I have no stats to back this up but the overhead running an app in the browser vs running on the OS is huge.

It's a return to dumb terminals and mainframes which we moved away from for very good reasons.

(And don't get me started on the fact that most people will trust their important data to 'for free' services only to find that 'for free' = 'zero customer service'. Ever lost a googlemail password?)

It's all madness i tell you.