Comments on: What Chrome OS has on Windows that Linux doesn't

Because the Web is already a powerful force, Google's OS project has a leg up over would-be Microsoft challengers such as Linux. But it has its own issues too.

[fmusignac]

GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!

[jpmccloud01]

I read all this stuff and ask myself. Don't you get it. There are people out there trying to figure out where computer interactivity is going for the future. Some say cloud computing with everyone using there system, note not PC or Mac, as a dumb terminal, and those who see us completely connected to a home network with the internet as core storage for the general stuff and for security in case of failure. While both are currently in use at this point; the question of how far remains to be seen due to our experience constantly evolving. This Chrome OS just adds to the fabric of that and asks " Is the future this so called "cloud computing" and will open source be the mainstay in the near future? Bye the way isn't Microsoft experimenting with Cloud computing for it's OS and wasn't it not that long ago that they where thought to go in that direction. As a person who uses the latest Chrome browser and for the most part likes how it works on my old Dell 4600 PC running with a 2.4 ghz processor and Nvidia 5200 graphics card and only uses Fire Fox latest for a few apps that even mess up in IE7 or 8; I welcome this new Google endeavor

"Canonical's Ubuntu version of Linux has a lot of buzz as a desktop operating system, but when April 15 comes around, TurboTax doesn't run on it. Multiply that by all software the world needs and the Windows incumbent advantage becomes clearer. "

Have you heard of open source. Ubuntu has one of the most advanced software installers: Just search for an application and you'll find it. And guess what it's free, it's all free, even the OS itself. Now the Ubuntu Linux incumbent advantage becomes clearer.

[ubuntu72]

So what happens when you don't have access to the internet? You won't be able to do anything. The OS basically becomes useless.

[SteveMcQwark]

Look up google gears.

[anubis4d]

If the system runs GEARS, the apps will function and having a linux core I would GUESS it will be an ubuntu with a synaptic installer somewhere, and people would prefer to have an openoffice and a gimp around perhaps. Ubuntu can run trough wine windows apps and many games runs faster than vista.

Google had said the browser is going to be the OS, which is stupid, LINUX is the OS chrome may be the UI. In the meantime WE he ubuntu or other distro´s options will stick to out KDEs and GNOMEs which are very advanced, even windows 7 is taking many ideas from KDE (which had been taken previously from OSX), so what do you prefer a full powefull distro or a restricted Google version? you can do MORE in linux, and you can see it on the palm PRE or the Android platform, or even MAEMO, so you may hate linux but it exist and many people will use it before even notice it.

[DMBoricua]

Haha this is a funny question, since Google Chrome OS is based on the web, what happens if you dont have internet? You wont use the OS? LOL its like, you turn on the computer. Google Chrome OS could not find any internet connections, so it cannot start up. LOL. Another, if you lose connection while on the OS and you try to launch an application, sorry connection went out, the application wont open without it. LOL. Oh, sorry, the internet went down, the OS needs to shut down since it cannot run without internet. LOL!! Its a whole new meaning to using an OS, it would be like running the computer with the OS without the battery lol.

[cougarmaster]

I think when the internet goes down people cant work even if the OS is a windows, linux or mac. People are so reliant on internet being available they tend to lose track when the internet goes down. They just will kinda lose interest in their work.

But what Google is putting out is the next leap into connectivity which I believe what Bill Gates envisions many years ago about having everything centralized and people wont need desktops anymore as long as there is a monitor and an access portal thru which the user gets his/her information.

Now since the speed of technology and accessibility are getting cheaper and easier even in rural areas we still need all this competition until its time to re evaluate the next step in how we humans interact with each other.

[NewEnglander]

And when Google needs help on how to write the OS, they can Google "how to write the OS".

I wonder if that would send them into an Infinite Loop, which would then bring them to Apple.

Go figger.

[DMBoricua]

Haha, bring them to Apple xD

[mt71449]

That is funny

What goes round comes round. If 20 years back IBM had declared that the future of computing lay in time sharing on main frames, they would have been laughed out of court.

[bradyme]

..... *blink blink*.... Chrome OS is based off Linux..... Facepalm.

[jdsohio]

Your title "What Chrome OS has on Windows that Linux doesn't" doesn't make sense. Chrome OS is using the linux kernel and the Chrome OS will be available to the FLOSS community, so anything that the Chrome OS will do will be available to the other linux distribututions so that I will be able to use the Google cloud apps on my linunx desktop of any flavor as well as my netbook runnig Chrome OS.

[jessiethe3rd]

Google's Chrome OS isn't the first operating system to challenge Microsoft Windows' commanding lead. But it's got an advantage that other rivals such as Linux lacked: the Web.

Huh? Didn't Google just say it's running on top of Linux?

[Myshkin57]

So if you have a problem with your internet connection you can't use your apps? That doesn't seem like a good way to go. It definitely won't be the way businesses go. And what if I want to get some work done on the plane? I guess Google doesn't want you to do that.

Anyway, this set-up may work for some people some of the time, but I don't think it will work for any of the people all of the time.

[oceania68]

Honestly guys and gals, its no use arguing the ins and outs of any of the above, Google OS is NOT an OS as you would think it, its only a platform inwhich to Install the Google Chrome onto netbooks.... Maybe later it may become a fully fledged OS...

Microsoft has its advantages and its pitfalls like any of the alternative operating systems... Although Msoft has the greater market share, it also has the greater share of attackers and hackers...

Unix/POSIXs have a niche in the fact that they offer FREE yes FREE software that can do all you need... and remember the word NEED. It can rival any app Msoft or Mac can give you, and they offer commercial software before free... Their policy is to make money... as is some Linuxs these days, but still they have a large base of FREEBIES....

On the business end, yes you can work with linux using the freebies, but do you want to? that is the question, what are most comfortable with?, do you want to learn different techniques? You see the apps are out there, its all up to you and how you learn to use them.

The online fad as its known in my circle, is only just that, a fad... but peel of the mask and you will find heaps of issues, there always is, not one of the manufacturers has release something that hasnt had an issue...

You are going to have issues, so understand, nothing is rosy...

Many people like clouding coz it suits their needs, if it does not suit your need, dont do it... simple..

As for online apps, well anyone can use them right now, thru any browser, but Im happy keeping mine on my comps, so I know, that they are still there...

Now I have a question for all of you.... Consider all the above opinions and statements..

Question is, with all the old technology that is yet to be released, (old by means of technology thought of yesterday is old tomorrow) How come all the operating systems, especially MS products, are getting larger and larger and larger, only to do the same thing as what the original can do, and too only add a minor feature or 2? Has anyone ever asked WHY it is getting larger ?

In my opinion, it is only a money making exercise to get you to buy hardware that you probably didnt need in the first place... not to mention to give YOU headaches and stress bcoz of the issues it creates...

Thats the power of seduced marketing.....

cheers all...

[shihiza]

"Canonical's Ubuntu version of Linux has a lot of buzz as a desktop operating system, but when April 15 comes around, TurboTax doesn't run on it."

This is incorrect, and therefore your entire thesis that "the OS with the most compatible programs will succeed" is flawed. I haven't used Linux in a few years, but when I did, I installed my PC games and MS Office with a utility called Wine. Yes, it did require interest and time that the average user lacks (mostly interest). But it won't be long before a Linux release will automate the installation of windows-based programs based on how this utility works (I wouldn't be surprised if it's already been done, or in the works).

[Thad Boyd]

Things I wouldn't know without reading CNet:

1. Linux does not have the Web.
2. It is logically possible for a version of Linux to have something that Linux doesn't.

[rklrkl]

The *only* advantage Google's Chrome OS will have over standard Linux distros is brand recognition. The OS doesn't exist yet and even the critical browser, Google Chrome, is languishing in alpha status for the Linux platform and has to be fully featured and relatively bug-free before Chrome OS can launch.

Linux distros, whilst lacking the Google name, have many advantages over Chrome OS at the moment:

* They can run *either* Web apps or local native binaries - whether the latter will be allowed in Chrome OS isn't clear yet.

* Unless Google lock down the licensing of Chrome OS (i.e. make it closed source or non-redistributable), what's to stop other Linux distros from either directly using or closely imitating Chrome OS features? Other Linux distros will be able to run the Google Chrome browser for example, which wipes out any supposed "advantage" Chrome OS might perceived as having.

* Unless Google commit a huge amount of resources to Chrome OS (and judging by the lengthy time they're taking to port the Chrome browser alone, I severely doubt it), other LInux distros will have significantly more developers overall and be able to innovate (or imitate if necessary) better than Googe. Unless Google can persuade a large number of Linux distro contributors to work exclusively for Chrome OS (again, highly unlikely), I don't see this balance changing in the future.

I think the only way Chrome OS can get any sort of momentum is to get it pre-installed in several major OEM's netbooks and have them prominently advertised alongside the Windows equivalent (this latter issue is something OEMs like Dell refuse to do with Linux pre-installs, for fear of upsetting MIcrosoft). 99% of end-users never, ever install an OS, so OEM pre-installs are totally critical to the survival of Chrome OS, IMHO.

In summary, Chrome OS has a really tough time ahead of it - Linux distros have made small inroads into the netbook arena, but are barely a blip on standard laptops and desktops. Google's brand name may help them push for OEM pre-installs, but will the OEMs go up against the mighty MS and push Chrome OS netbooks as strongly as Windows ones? That's the big question and one I suspect the OEMs will chicken out of and leave the (frankly appalling) status quo as it is.

[bassistguy]

I really wish people would read up on things before they go making "assumptions". Linux has thousand upon thousands of application available for just about anything you would need them for. As an example, the perfect equivalent, if not better alternative to MS Office is OpenOffice.Org (that's just one out of many available office suites for Linux), most of which you can save as an Office document. There are also equivalents for Quicken, Adobe Photoshop. There is PLENTY, PLENTY, PLENTY of software support for Linux, including THE WEB!! I'm sorry, but that part just ticked me off.