I object to your comment about reinventing the wheel. I think in this case it's more like making the wheel easier to put on your car.

I know the Linux guys hate to hear this, but to most users, running fewer programs makes things easier. Pretty much every computer I've ever seen comes with a web browser installed so a web based solution requires almost zero effort for the user. Plus you have firewalls to consider.

As for securing it, that probably would be easier with something like SSH.