I totally agree that some of their top 5 points are merits of linux and not purely google's OS.

Unfortunately an easy to install linux distro (I've used ubuntu) was, even with a special netbook kernel, somewhat slower then winXP. The battery life, that dropped 30-40% when compared to winXP (I actually timed it, so it's not just an error in the timer of the OS ;) ) (even with all recommended tweaks) Also a normal ubuntu install is quite large (> 3 Gb ) (main SSD is only 4Gb).

Those arguments would tip the scale for me personally in the favor of winXP.

So if they have the manpower to build a linux version without those drawbacks, keeping all the advantages ... gimme gimme ;)

Seb

PS. I consider losing the nerdy ring a disadvantage :-D



Thomas Van Parys schreef:
Sofie Van Landeghem schreef:
  
Sebastian Proost wrote:
    
Michiel Van Bel schreef:
      
Sofie Van Landeghem wrote:
  
        
http://tweakers.net/nieuws/61137/googles-chrome-os-gaat-strijd-met-windows-aan.html 
(dutch, though I'm sure there's an english article about this somewhere ;-))

Sofie

  
    
          
from the bbc website:
"The news could also be a blow to the open source Linux operating 
system, which had taken an early lead on netbooks, but then lost out to 
Microsoft's elderly Windows XP."

I'm slightly confused: if google chrome is linux-based (which is said 
everywhere but the bbc-website), how can it be a blow to linux? :/ :p
Anyway, it would've been nice if they developed something completely 
different, instead of making just another linux distro (which it will 
turn out to be I think).


  
        
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/five-things-googles-chrome-os-will-do-for-your-netbook/

Actually if they can actually pull all these things off, I would be 
very happy to drop windows for their OS on my eeepc.

      
me 2!
    

So, actually, the only thing that Google OS is doing better that the 
existing linux distro's is marketing?

Cost: Linux is free

Speed: All the speed eating sits in the desktop environment. Use a linux 
one that isn't too bloated, or use KDE or Gnome without the eye candy 
and 3D effects and you have lightning speed.

Compatibility: Right, most drivers are designed for Windows. So now they 
will suddenly exist for Google OS? I suppose the drivers Google OS will 
support out of the box, will be the ones that linux supports out of the 
box as well, as they will be using the linux kernel and modules.

Portabilty: If you're using Google docs now from any platform, it'll be 
available everywhere. Same if you commit to an SVN. Nothing changes 
there. Except that you might want to use Chrome for linux instead of 
Firefox once its comes out.

New Apps: Awesome VLC player existed first for linux. Still does. For 
music Amarok is the best player around and mplayer, smplayer, etc... are 
there as well. All one by one great media players for linux.


Further, I suppose there will be a 'Google Store' as they're doing for 
Android now, that's just an implementation of package manager (yum, apt, 
rpm, ...)

So yeah... just another linux distro... except without the nerdy ring of 
'linux' to it, but the cool sound of Google.


T.

  


-- 
==================================================================
Sebastian Proost                                       PhD Student

Tel:+ 32 (0) 9 33 13 822                      fax:+32 (0)9 3313809
VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology, Ghent University
Technologiepark 927, 9052 Gent, BELGIUM
sebastian.proost@psb.vib-ugent.be          http://www.psb.ugent.be
==================================================================
"If I knew what I was doing, it wouldn't be called research."
                                                 --Albert Einstein