Comments on: Comfort zones: Windows vs. Linux

The comfort zone for consumers will determine whether operating systems like Google Chrome prevail over Windows.

[mt71449]

Perhaps one issue with folks' "Linux comfort zones" is that many identify "Linux" with older iterations of Linux based operating systems that are 5+ years old. But devices running today's Linux based operating systems are already very popular with consumers of average technical knowledge!

Think webOS from Palm running on the Palm Pre and Android from Google on HTCs/Tmobile G1/Tmobile MyTouch. These popular devices are all running Linux based Operating Systems.

Also many purchased the Asus Eee PC running only Linux, and OLPCs running only the "Sugar" Linux based OS, even though Windows XP versions were available for these models. These Linux variants were made to be so simple that even children could use them.

Few are the consumers who care about how much the Windows name meant back in 1995. Today's consumers admire and adulate devices like the iPhone, running Unix derivations, much much more.

Heck, people care so little about Windows that perhaps people would even buy netbooks running the iPhone OS ! Let's add to this: I'm willing to bet that even Facebook could shake up the PC and smartphone markets by releasing a Linux based Operating System...

[brentrbrian]

Comfort zone? Education zone is more like it.

What is comfortable about spending time and money fixing infected machines?
What is comfortable about upgrading systems every time Microsoft makes a "new" OS?
What is comfortable about spending $250-450 on Windows + Office for a $250 computer?

[inachu1]

I will hop onto the linux band wagon when the OS meets the following goals.
1. Cleans up the section of their version of the control panel.
Really now! The control panel items are all over the start menu programs thing.
Kinda like a messy room.
2. The video MUST be fully 3D compliant and works with most 3D games.
3. The OS get native active directory compliant.(heh yeah riiight)
4. Ability to easily get the clock out of military time.

[odubtaig]

Well, for starters you might want to learn the difference between O/S and application.

The "video" (as you so qauintly put it) has been fully "3D compliant" for years as ILM, Autodesk, SideFX and others can testify. It is also not the responsibility of the O/S to bring the games, that's the job of those who write the games. You know, EA, CodeMasters, Ubisoft, Rockstar. Tell them.

It's like ******** at the car company because Pirelli don't make radials in the right size for your car.

[yllanos]

ChromeOS could be important for the industry.

However, one of the issues i find with the concept is videogames. People won't be able to run PC videogames when the OS is supposed to arrive into notebooks and PCs, unless there is a major shift in the industry and in the underlying technology.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to ChromeOS, but for the moment, DirectX rules and O3D is awful and sucks.

[odubtaig]

Do you mean Direct3D and OpenGL by any chance? Truly, I must observe the opinion of someone who can't even name the APIs (or which is used by the PS3).

Scuse me while I crease up for a bit.

[a_flores]

The very reason I cannot convert into Linux is that I have to use MS Office, Photoshop, and so many other programs which runs in windows. If any free OS out there that accept all my windows applications, that's the time I leave Windows.

So, likewise Chrome OS. If it cannot accept my windows applications, then goodbye. If it runs cloud computing, it means Chrome OS is simply far away from my reach even if it is free. I live in poor Asian country, Internet is still out of the reach of many ordinary people. I even do not have internet connection in my own house, except in the office.

Thanks. Xie xie.

[mt71449]

look up wine

[pithenumber]

wine (sadly) doesn't always work

[bhodges00]

Sadley Windows doesn't always work either

[fgsdfgdsfgdsfg]

For its number of flaws, I'll stick to Windows. Thanks but no thanks google. i'm all set with cloud computing, i'm all set with having to have a broadband internet connection to be able to boot my machine. I'm all set with having to have a broadband internet connection to access my documents. I'm all set with having to have my private data kept on servers that i have no control over and have no idea who has access to.
thanks but no thanks. windows for me.

[galeso]

Will Chrome OS force you to store information in the cloud or can you keep it on your hard drive?
I know the programs will be in the cloud/web or downloaded from the cloud/web.

[Dango517]

Nope!

If Linux wants to be successful:

1) Begin by making it easily down loadable from the web. (My guess is they do "not" have the infrastructure necessary to accommodate 50 million users. Like the OS developers those servers that download the OS are volunteers.)

2) Make it user friendly. Linux must abandon it's "way" overly touted elitist user mindset and make their OS simpler to use..

3) With these two things done. Turn to hardware manufactures and package this OS with new machines. Lets see I'm buying a PC; would I want one OS or two on it? Hmmm, one or two, one or two? No brainer .......... yet it's not happening. Why? (Unfair advantage here between the OEM and some entity. Linux will need to get this changed in the courts.)

4) Get people to use it early. A major champaign is needed within Linux to get first time users on their OS. It's not the brand first time users choose, it's the OS they use first that keeps them coming back. (See 3 above)

My guess is they will get none of this done. Why? ................. If you want something to "not" get done send it to a committee and those "O" so smart Linux users may not have this figured out yet.

Of course in the grand scheme of things it could be their not supposed to succeed. Question is is this okay for some or a crime?

[solius1234]

I very much welcome another OS besides MS. I personally have been running Linux on my laptop since about 2 years ago. My friends at teksapienshosting.com the fastest webhosting company in the world heavily rely on Linux and they convinced my to share. The only think I regret is why I didn't do it before. Not paying for OS, Applications, antiviruses and putting up with viruses and malware has made my life so much easier and productive that I can't help but welcome the idea or Chrome OS. On the other hand, the downside I see is that Linux will have more competition. Let's see how it plays out. I believe Chrome will be very successful!