The Beginning Of The End For Windows?

[JoeCool]

Could This Be The Beginning Of The End For Windows
As The World's #1 Operating System?

Here's the bombshell Google announced on 7-07-09:

Introducing the Google Chrome Operating System (Google Chrome OS)


From Google's FAQ's on Chrome OS:

What companies is Google working with to support Google Chrome OS?

"The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba."


Here's what TechCrunch had to say about this stunning announcement:

Google Drops A Nuclear Bomb On Microsoft. And It’s Made of Chrome.



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I predicted this about 4 years ago (to a few of my colleagues) stating that, one day, the web would be our operating system (and also home to all of our apps) driven by Google in an Open Source browser. Our hardware, whether a laptop, a desktop, a netbook, or even a cell phone, will soon be just dumb terminals, with our hard drives used mainly for local file storage.

Things are going to get real interesting about this time next year.

Oh yeah, one more thing... Google is making this totally Open Source. Can you imagine how many apps will be written worldwide for this new operating system?


Best Regards,
~ JoeCool

P.S. "Do No Evil." We shall see, Google.

[Gabe77]

I can't wait. This is definitely something to look forward to.

What's next? Google buying Microsoft?

[Johnathan]

Well, a lot of people talked about it 4-5 years ago, not just you

If Microsoft stands still, then yes. However, you have to remember that there is a lot of 'backend' development (software projects) designed specifically for the windows OS... However, as that changes (i.e., if profitability is solely in web apps vs enterprise apps), then yes, eventually it will get to that point.

But I think developers are getting tired of having to switch languages/os's every few years, so the ones that will really be adopting the 'new' technlogies are mainly the younger crowd.

[Matt Jutras]

I personally think it's a big as threat to Windows as Linux is/was. Or Apple for that matter.

Yeah some people will get into it, but not enough to make a big dent in the Microsoft fortress.

[CmdrStidd]

I am all for watching the old warhorse crash and burn just like their software keeps doing. More power to Google Chrome!! I can't wait for it to come out for desktops as well so I can finally be rid of Vista and its trashy makeup.

Plus, as a programmer myself, I am looking forward to writing some of the apps for that new OS. I think it will be a blast!!

[Scott Ames]

I'll never use it.

[Kris.Sm]

this picture is soo coool...google rocks..i being using chrome for sometime and much better than the IE...looking forward for the OS of google. the future..!!!

[lklein]

Hope it works out, but isn't it internet based?
Also won't Google know everything about you including what you had for breakfast? LOL

Lambert

[Scott Ames]

Originally Posted by lklein

Hope it works out, but isn't it internet based?
Also won't Google know everything about you including what you had for breakfast? LOL

Lambert

They gather too much info now. Ever use Chrome and see what kind of history is kept? I wonder if they keep that history on their end too? I don't really like it.

[spsfinest212]

I never just buy a new OS. I just buy a new computer and stick with whatever is in it which will always be windows.

[Victoria Neely]

Originally Posted by Scott Ames

They gather too much info now. Ever use Chrome and see what kind of history is kept? I wonder if they keep that history on their end too? I don't really like it.

I'm not going to use it for precisely that reason. If I switch to another OS, it will probably be Linux.

But the cartoon is pretty darn cute. It's the *glee* expression in the third panel that really does it.

[Sid Kaplan]

Originally Posted by Scott Ames

They gather too much info now. Ever use Chrome and see what kind of history is kept? I wonder if they keep that history on their end too? I don't really like it.

Good point Scott. And congratulations on your 4000th post!

Sid

[bgmacaw]

There are far too many privacy questions when it comes to Google for it to gain widespread use, at least with some major changes in their "Don't be evil but know everybody's business" business model.

[CDarklock]

The surprising fact about Amazon and Google and Microsoft is that they're not really competitors. None of them is going to dethrone the others, because no matter how successful one of them might be, the other two simply aren't in that business.

Amazon does shopping. They're pretty much the best there is. Microsoft and Google will never beat Amazon at shopping, and they're not even trying.

Google does advertising. They're pretty much the best there is. Amazon and Microsoft can't possibly beat Google at advertising, so they're not even trying.

Microsoft does software. They're pretty much the best there is. Do you honestly expect Amazon and Google to try and beat Microsoft at software?

Pull the other one.

It's like worrying about whether Joe's weight loss site will impact the revenue of your golf site. Yes, I'm sure many golfers would like to lose some weight, but they're still golfers.

[RichardDean]

Hello It's Linux... Been around way before Google owners were even born.

Some make it sound like it is this new OS never seen before

There is tons of great Linux Distros all ready that kick the **** out of MS

Just check out DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

At he time of writing this check out number 23 gOS comes ready with (wine) WineHQ - Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and Mac OS X and you can run windows software like PhotoShop with no problems.

So if you have not tried any Linux OS's yet it is very easy to make a bootable CD or USB stick and try it without installing anything or messing up or hurting your IBM compatible.

So take a look at what your missing by not using linux

Richard Dean

[RichardDean]

Here is a screen shot of MY desktop Linux Made it look like a Mac


You can get Mac looking Distro or make your own custom one very easy also the gOS is one of them.

4 Linux Distros Which Look Like Mac OS X | Internetling

Richard Dean

[misterwrecker]

I never realized that google has the same colors as microsoft. It reminds me of that quote from The Pirates of Silicon Valley, "Good artists copy but great artists steal."

[SurviveUnemployment]

Originally Posted by spsfinest212

I never just buy a new OS. I just buy a new computer and stick with whatever is in it which will always be windows.

You sure about that? That's the kind of complacency kills huge companies.

"The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba."

If I could buy a computer with the Chrome OS for a couple hundred less than the same computer with Windows, I can't think of any reason to go with Windows.

[SteveJohnson]

Unless and until the Big G can get their OS packaged with new, off-the-shelf computers destined for clueless land, they'll never take the OS market from MS. Never happen.

Only geeks do Linux. Only geeks know what a distro is.

Google may have a great OS. But the vast, vast majority of people will never see it.

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Nope, it will not be the beginning of the end for Windows. I'm using Windows 7 and I will tell everyone something: it kicks major ass. With Windows 7, it appears MS has finally gotten it right... and I hate to admit that, because I'm a pretty strong MS detractor.

[AtomicFlipper]

Google's mistake will be to go after the desktop. It just can't win when it comes to the desktop.

It has far too many technologies to catch up on when it comes to the desktop.

I can see people saying in 20 years about Google what they do now with Microsoft, just, it will be related to the Internet.

We see it now with Adwords.

[Andy]

First off Google is NOT going to by MS. Google will simplly take over MS after they buy the US Gov.

Second off. I second anyone whom is shaking at the thought of Googlizing our entire elives.

Third off, MS doomed themselves when they made Vista licensing sooo tight you have to have Bill Gates personal permission to swap out DVD disks. (Oops - thats not until SP3 - sorry)

Forth off, the Next Big OS - no matter who introduces it (it should be me, but I have neither the technical knowhow, nor the marketing muscle to make it happen) will be centered around a flash drive. That's right, the computer of the future will hang from your neck or your keyring. The technology is available now. There may already be someone tinkering with an OS on a flash drive. Imagine this...

Instead of lugging around a laptop, you plug your flash into any usb port in a kiosk, at work, at home. Up boots your OS just the way you like it. You have access to everything you need and it's all secure on something you carry on you. Plus it's easy as pie to store a copy online (secured) so if it pukes - you just buy a new $10 flash and download your OS copy.

Something to think about.

God bless,

Andy

[RichardDean]

Hello,

Steve

Linux is not for geeks anymore, sure a decade ago people would be shaking
when they heard that word.

Most might not even know that the majority of webhosting sites are Linux.

Few years back Walmart was selling computer with lindows
Microsoft vs. Lindows - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well with this Google OS we will see how good they edit Linux.

JoeCool said " Oh yeah, one more thing... Google is making this totally Open Source. Can you imagine how many apps will be written worldwide for this new operating system?"

They have to.....

Richard Dean

I don't use or did not look, I bet chrome was open source also Just a guess I
don't know or care or use it.

[RichardDean]

Andy said "Instead of lugging around a laptop, you plug your flash into any usb port in a kiosk, at work, at home. Up boots your OS just the way you like it.

Again it is called Linux I have several distros on USB and they write and save to the USB. The geek I am I also have windows on bootable USB.

Linux is great OS look into it.

Richard Dean

[SteveJohnson]

Richard, I don't mean to argue, but I challenge you to show me one person who has installed and is running a Linux distro of any flavor who is not a geek.

Most people don't know that webhosts run Linux. Most people don't even know what a webhost is.

You and I and most of the people on this board operate in a rarefied atmosphere - we actually have a clue as to how websites work.

[Steven Carl Kelly]

There's already a tool out there that will allow you to carry around essentially your PC on a USB thumbdrive: Windows, Linux, whatever. You plug it in and that machine becomes your PC until you unplug it.

[pretter]

Linux is already out there for years now, when it comes to OS, it will be harder to switch from windows because of the technology around it... most applications are for windows. So unless this barrier is gone, I can't see windows dying out just yet

[RichardDean]

Steve

Just don't let Linux scare you, The desktop can look just like windows
you can run Windows software and Virus are far and few in between.

Get a off leased PC you can get these cheap make a Linux computer
you will like it, very user friendly.

Richard Dean

Hope this opens eyes to try Linux

[RichardDean]

pretter

I have a new Vista computer ( meaning newest equipment ) And boot off my Linux USB it installs every driver I need and runs faster and better If it was not for my wife I would just install it and be done with the USB.

Richard Dean

[sbucciarel]

I for one would never trust Google with my operating system. They have huge ambitions to lock up all forms of Internet advertising, gathering as much private information in the process as possible. I don't want their phones, their OS, or anything else they might concoct ... I use them for search and Adsense and that's it, and at that, they probably have far more of my information than I would care for them to have.

[pretter]

Last time I tried linux, was like years ago when I installed madrake 10

It's a whole new world, was exciting, however at the time, I;m sure things have changed a lot now, there were too many software compatibility limitations, even with wine, i think it was called , which allows you to install windows applications.

How have things actually changed now? will do some reading on this, got me curious

[K2SMedia]

13 year dedicated Windows user right here.

Just made the switch to Ubuntu Linux a few weeks ago.

I will NEVER go back to Windows.

Period.

I love this!!

Oh, and for all of those Windows-only applications?

Check out Sun VirtualBox.

It is 100% free and open source. It will let you create a virtual installation of any OS you want (including Windows).

On my desktop now, I have an icon that says Windows 7. I double click it, and a window pops up that shows the windows boot screen. It IS windows, WITHIN linux.

Hope that makes sense.

It is AWESOME!

I have 4 "desktops" or "workspaces" that I can click through, so 3 are Linux, and 1 is Windows 7, complete with my Adobe Suite and other smaller marketing tools and apps that are windows-only.

Wine is a pain in the ass, at least I thought it was.

Use VirtualBox.

If there is enough interest, I'll make you guys a video to show you what I'm talking about.

[pretter]

I'm going to do some digging on linux...

As for Vista, I can't wait to change to windows 7 because of the xp mode.. VISTA is really sick

[pretter]

So does it mean you have windows 7 installed and you just boot the linux? didn't get that

Originally Posted by K2SMedia

13 year dedicated Windows user right here.

Just made the switch to Ubuntu Linux a few weeks ago.

I will NEVER go back to Windows.

Period.

I love this!!

Oh, and for all of those Windows-only applications?

Check out Sun VirtualBox.

It is 100% free and open source. It will let you create a virtual installation of any OS you want (including Windows).

On my desktop now, I have an icon that says Windows 7. I double click it, and a window pops up that shows the windows boot screen. It IS windows, WITHIN linux.

Hope that makes sense.

It is AWESOME!

I have 4 "desktops" or "workspaces" that I can click through, so 3 are Linux, and 1 is Windows 7, complete with my Adobe Suite and other smaller marketing tools and apps that are windows-only.

Wine is a pain in the ass, at least I thought it was.

Use VirtualBox.

If there is enough interest, I'll make you guys a video to show you what I'm talking about.

[Jon Steel]

I tell you this will be interesting. Just like when Microsoft pushed its way in the the gaming industry with the X-Box. Compatibility with other programs/software will be the biggest issue at first. But it will be interesting...

js

[BurgerBoy]

Originally Posted by RichardDean

JoeCool said " Oh yeah, one more thing... Google is making this totally Open Source. Can you imagine how many apps will be written worldwide for this new operating system?".

Right - and a lot of them will be apps to make the system crash and give you the blue screen of death.

Don't you realise how easy it is to figure out how to write programs to take down an open source system?

And everyone grips about worms, trojans, virus, and so forth with windows.

With open source - windows like look like Mr. Clean by the time programmers and hackers get done with Chrome.

[BurgerBoy]

Originally Posted by SteveJohnson

Richard, I don't mean to argue, but I challenge you to show me one person who has installed and is running a Linux distro of any flavor who is not a geek.

Most people don't know that webhosts run Linux. Most people don't even know what a webhost is.

You're right - you hit the nail on the head.

[BurgerBoy]

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

I for one would never trust Google with my operating system. They have huge ambitions to lock up all forms of Internet advertising, gathering as much private information in the process as possible. I don't want their phones, their OS, or anything else they might concoct ... I use them for search and Adsense and that's it, and at that, they probably have far more of my information than I would care for them to have.

You're right. We already have enough BIG BROTHERS watching over our shoulder to see everything we do without adding another one.

[K2SMedia]

Ok, I'm going to make a quick video to show you guys what I'm talking about... Check this thread in an hour or two

[edman]

looking forward to the video...

[Bondtana]

This is great for the consumer. Looking forward to options as a long time pc user...

VISTA SUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[edman]

I second that.. since I started using vista, I think my blood pressure went high lol

[Black Hat Cat]

The Beginning Of The End For Windows?

Yes....just like the Google web browser was the end of Internet Explorer.

I predicted this about 4 years ago (to a few of my colleagues) stating that, one day, the web would be our operating system (and also home to all of our apps) driven by Google in an Open Source browser. Our hardware, whether a laptop, a desktop, a netbook, or even a cell phone, will soon be just dumb terminals, with our hard drives used mainly for local file storage.

Better hope you never lose internet access then.

[koolphoto]

I think people should dread Google just as much as they dread Microsoft. For both these companies it is about money.

[RichardDean]

Steve
Well people use items that run Linux and don't know it. People drive cars and don't know how to change oil.

edman or UFC BJpenn
What is so bad about Vista, I have not had any trouble.

pretter
You install VirtualBox to allow you to have more than one OS to pick from to run.

I know a few people that run a Virtual OS when downloading torrents
if it has a Virus it don't harm your computer you just delete the VOS
and create a new one very easy.

As for digging on Linux go to Just check out DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. this has the top Linux Programs

Richard Dean


Have a old PC put Linux on it
Try this one Linux XP Desktop 2008

[Kezz]

LOL that cartoon is brilliant! I never noticed that they used the exact same colors before. Very clever.

I personally can't wait for the day that the Windows OS is defunct. Their years of standover tactics, ie. use / sell our products or go broke are just not cool.

That said, as much as I'd like to use an OS created by Google, I'm completely not interested in thin client apps for every single thing. I like my apps and my data safely protected on my own drive, where I determine what happens.

I'm surprised that still no-one has come up with an OS to really rival Windows, especially given the gaping hole in the levels of user satisfaction. It all comes down to one thing only with an OS, and that is, can I use the apps I know and depend on. If I could use all my Adobe products and my games and everything I need, dependably, on another OS I would have dumped Windows years ago. I always wanted to switch to Linux or Linspire (?) but have never been quite game.

I tried Vista but lost about 2 years of my life trying to get it to run smoothly, and rolled it back immediately.

Hopefully Windows 7 is better, as reported. Because I too don't quite trust Google with my information. Every time you install one of their products you have to uninstall "Google Update" which likes to go about its business without your permission.

Time will tell!

[WareTime]

So between Apple and Microsoft we'll be generous and say they only own 99% of the consumer operating system business. Let Linux et all own the last 1%.

How is Google going to break into that market? Do you like to print, like to use scanners, game, specialized software like Dragon Naturally speaking, Dreamweaver, etc?

Until the GOS (Google OS) gets at least 5% of the market no one will make their software work with it, there is no benefit. If the world ran on on web apps this might make sense, but even if it did, Apple and Microsoft both ship operating systems with browsers too. And... get this... you can also use not web based apps to boot.

This is PURELY a play to push Chrome so Google has better information on browsing habits etc to make their search engine better.

Android was developed for phones. This is based on Adroid, there are a lot of needs for a pc that a phone doesn't have, which means all the things Google tossed out of Linux making Android, will have to go back in to make a useful desktop. Oh, and remember where Linux desktop marketshare stands.

[FrankPinch]

The thing is that software builders are building for MS! I don't think it's near the end for MS! Personally, I prefer Linux Ubuntu, it works great, much better than windows! But the machine is well oiled.

On the other hand, Google guys are very creative, so success is an almost sure thing, but will probably get 5-10% of the market within the next years, no more

My 2 cents!

[Kezz]

They're targeting laptops to start with aren't they? Trying to get going with the more lightweight setups and going from there?

I also think this is a retaliation against Bing. They've said, you're going after our search engine, we're going after your OS.

[WareTime]

Originally Posted by Kezz

That said, as much as I'd like to use an OS created by Google, I'm completely not interested in thin client apps for every single thing. I like my apps and my data safely protected on my own drive, where I determine what happens.

I'm surprised that still no-one has come up with an OS to really rival Windows, especially given the gaping hole in the levels of user satisfaction. It all comes down to one thing only with an OS, and that is, can I use the apps I know and depend on. If I could use all my Adobe products and my games and everything I need, dependably, on another OS I would have dumped Windows years ago. I always wanted to switch to Linux or Linspire (?) but have never been quite game.

To your first point. I couldn't agree more. I trust Google less than Microsoft. Think about it, who has shown themselves to be genius at mining mountains of personal data and who is basically inept? I'd rather provide data to the inept if I have to give it to someone. They can't do much with it.

Money money money. Look how much Microsoft spends to develop an iteration of Windows. You'd have to have millions if not > a billion to come up with something new that does what Windows or OSX does and do enough stuff better right off the bat to get people to buy it. It would suffer the same problem as Linux, very few commercial apps, drivers, etc that would make it not better enough to get people to buy it. No company will ever form with the goal of knocking Windows out of the market place. Imagine seeking venture capital for that - maybe if the venture capitalists wanted a write off No existing company will try it either. Adobe won't. They sell product now on two platforms what does having a third platform they have to pay to build get them? There is just no good way to come up with a new OS in 2009, it simply takes too much money and resources for a small chance of success.