@ChromeOS: Looks to me just like gOS (w/different or new windowing system), so why doesn't Google just work with them or fork gOS then put a major effort into making Google Apps world-class. Is this just another "re-invent the wheel"?

@Mono: Enough, already. I know the pros and cons. If I want to use Mono or Mono-based apps, I should have the freedom to do so. And if distros want to include Mono/Apps, they are free to do so, too. If folks don't want to use Mono/Apps, they are free to remove them or free to move to another distro. Same thing with NVIDIA drivers, Adobe Flash/Reader, etc. I'm free to use them or not--so is everyone else.

--dB

X/K/Ubuntu, Mepis, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE user (and, yes, I file bug reports and understand the concept of release early/often/etc, too!)

@dB:
You make a good point about mono, except for the fact that on most distros NVIDIA drivers, Adobe Flash/Reader, etc. are *not* installed by default, nor do the companies behind them constantly and agressively campaign for them to be so.

This is a signficant difference between mono and your other examples, and echoes the "opt-in" vs. "opt-out" debate in other areas.

I don't think any one is saying you shouldn't have the freedom to *use* mono or mono-based apps (if they are, they are way out of line), but I do think lots of people are rightfully upset that mono keeps getting promoted as the default choice by its supporters.

I will not use any application that uses Mono.

Google Chrome OS. This is an interesting situation. I think Microsoft people are flat out against it. The Linux people seem to be split. I don't understand the privacy concerns though. Google must know that any subversion of our privacy will be discovered sooner or later. Then what? "We're very sorry". Any attempt to lock users in will be shunned. Google would have to work at doing it wrong. What could happen is that Chrome OS could bust a big enough hole in Microsoft's desktop fence that some major Linux distros could find their way in. That along with the netbooks and a lot of people are going to discover Linux that wouldn't have. I've always wondered how Microsoft's hold on the desktop would crash and burn. We may be looking at it.

Sorry to appear to be shadowing you lately Richard Chapman, but I agree again.

The value of GoogleOS is not GoogleOS but the damage that can be done to Microsoft's monopoly and the many that will have their minds opened to awareness of and choice in OS/platform. With smaller market share, Microsoft loses leverage. Third parties can't be jerked around as much (eg, kill Linux), and they might even come to the conclusion that Windows support in some scenario might not even be worthwhile. Destroying monopoly levers is very valuable to everyone.

If Google doesn't behave, Linux distro X is a hop away.

I expect Google to work at getting users to use many webapps and keep their data online. They will go for lock-in that way.

As for privacy violations, Microsoft is at the chokepoint to collect significant privacy and usage data from virtually everyone. Google still can only work when you use their services, and they aren't everywhere on the Internet by a long shot (well, they actually have partnered with a ridiculous number of websites).

I agree with the comments that Google is too public to compromise our privacy, but the biggest problem for Microsoft is a shift in user's perception of what a GUI Interface looks like.

A lot of Western country Linux netbook buyers can't understand the interface because it is not Microsoft and take them back, but with the Google GUI interface based on a browser, that problem disappears.

Google has enough current users and popular perception of being the good guys to win over a lot of new home and school users.
In the corporate scene, reducing IT costs and carbon footprints is very important. This new OS with its low resource needs and security costs fits very nicely in an accountants view point of productivity.

I like the idea of a Google OS, as it moves computing towards the long awaited networked computing model promoted by the likes of AT&T, Sun, XEROX and Netscape back in the last century.

All we need to complete the model are massively distributed p2p servers running a private space OS. I wonder who is developing that.

I personally don't think that Google will hoard our personal data within its operating system - it will be the applications on top that I suspect will be based on what they already have in Windows (Google Desktop Search anyone?)

I imagine the OS will have the sole purpose of being a stable platform to tie your hardware to their (or any other company you choose to use) web software. I can't wait for it to open-source cause let's face it, someone out there will give us a work in progress, if not Google.

Well I'm glad to see some people realizing the true value of Chrome OS to the Linux world because many are missing it.

If anything this will help break the idea in so many peoples heads that a computer must look like Windows XP to function properly. With a name brand they are used to people will pick this up forcing hardware and software vendors to quit considering Windows to be the only OS on the planet.

I think the perfect combination of fact and prediction can be found in Rich's Jose's and stomfi's comments.

The little twit that took her netbook back and raised he77 with De77 because she didn't recognize or understand Ubuntu encapsulates the entire problem.

Most people are not computer users...they are task-set mouse clickers. They would no more explore the power of their computer than they would miss an episode of Dancing With The Stars.

I've long since lost my sympathy for lazy, mentally-sludged people. However, I have found that most people under 30 who are given 30 minutes' personal attention will rarely go back to Windows.

Aside from Carla's very real concerns for privacy...let's face it...Google is a Data-Mining machine, she has a responsibility as a journalist to at least raise the point. I think that the year of the Linux Desktop is a phantom bus. People are waiting at a stop that will never see a bus. there will be no "year" of the Linux Desktop...it will be a slow, unstoppable process. If there ever would be a year of Linux...it will start upon the release of the Chrome OS.

And the "Don't Be Evil" mantra...?

That disappeared when they gave up hundreds of Chinese freedom fighters...now either imprisoned or assumed dead.

My friend helios said:
"Most people are not computer users...they are task-set mouse clickers. They would no more explore the power of their computer than they would miss an episode of Dancing With The Stars."

I must say that I really resent that DWTS reference but the rest is true.
Sue me.

So, do you tinker with your TV? How is that new chip in your Rodeo's PCM?
Your driving is just a task-set? All of us "users" ain't computer mechanics.
Some of us computer users are LINUX USERS though. I don't touch any MafiaSoft
equipment. I won't use any Google other than the search thingy.

"User" isn't a four letter word, er maybe it is but users isn't.
Dear friend, I am on your side, if we don't push Linux the whole computer world
will be pushing daisies. But don't push people away just cause we haven't had time to show them the True Path.

Colonel User (Ret.)