Abstract: An Internet-based operating system whereby use of data and application software stored on a server may be selectively downloaded to a client device upon request therefrom allowing server-based applications to be accessed and executed on the client device. Because secure communication may readily be established between the server and the client device, many traditional problems of remote data access are overcome. Application software, typically Java code, provides an inherently virus-proof programming language. The end user, operating a client device may access a wide variety of application software with no need to purchase, install, and maintain the software on his machine. Using an easy-to-use GUI, a user selects an application, opens existing or creates new files. The application executable code is identified by a link embedded in a stream of markup language, typically XML. The operating system allows complex applications to be executed on thin clients having limited memory/storage capacity.