[Californian]

I have to admit that virus thing is true. I have never gotten a virus, and gone without AV software for months now. I just try not to download suspicious software (incl. from TPB, which I use regularly*), and I'm fine. If I get one, I'll just reinstall Windows. I don't care though; I'd rather use an OS that I can shut down without waiting a year to boot up (and why is there such a long startup timeout in Win. by default?). Also, I have crap for battery life, so a less bloated system that isn't always on would be nice. Finally, I only use web-based apps anyway -- no MSOffice, nothing (except Picasa, Google Earth, Google Desktop, Google Talk, etc.). I am, as someone termed it, a "Google citizen", but really just a fanatic :).

[TechieXP]

I agree...the last time I native ran anti-virus was with Norton 3.0...wow how long ago was that...somewhere in the Windows 98 days? When I moved to Windows NT based OS's with Windows 2000 there was no need for anti-virus. NT is much harder to crack open then the eggs known in the 9x family. Also viruses wasn't that huge of a deal as internet usage was only starting to get popular. Which really didn't happen until dialup went too 56k and DSL.

I use to think only stupid people get viruses...but then I found smart people can get them too. The smart people who say it will nver happen to them...but put themselves in a place where it can and will and usually does.

True all you have to do is be a smart computer user.

Also I found iut funny the other guy talking about how Linux can be compiled to run on scant spec'd hardware...Windows can too...its only bloated when you need huge application support. When a foundation needs to have Sears Tower like support...then it needs to be big...or bloated as you all say. Do a bad job and it ends up being like the Tower of Pisa...or the Grand Canyon. Windows CE is proof MSFT could easily do what Google is doing now...maybe there isn't enough money or manybe bec it wasn't a good idea in the past. Needs have changed in recent years. Since both Apple and MSFT have made millions (Apple) and billions (MSFT...they should have been taking us to this point along with there desktop counterparts. For a 3rd party to try this makes the both look bad.

[alamj2000]

Google Chrome OS is a definite battle with Microsoft OS. Since Google have already dominated the business in search engine, email platform, mobile platform and so with the image that have already created Chrome OS will be a definite success as compared to Microsoft.

Alam
http://www.xrangegifts.com

[ajayjain789]

Just like the Chrome browser, I guess the Google Chrome OS would be a very light OS with very limited capabilities namely those of accessing the web and manipulating the related aspects. As Google itself states, it considers the web as the central platform and the cloud as the storage space. So the maximum potential of the OS would be limited by the latest improvement in the web technologies (internet speed, online security, etc.)
As an aside, there are privacy concerns as well. When the main OS is web-centric and the data is all going outside passing through it, some people will invariably be concerned about the issue. The Chrome browser, for example, uses a unique ID with each of its instances, and sends it to Google whenever gets connected. Who knows what they might have put in the OS?

[protozee]

I allready have this feature on my Asus P5Q Deluxe motherboard, its called
Express Gate for a quick way to the Internet without booting into the OS
YouTube - ExpressGate powered by Splashtop http://bit.ly/sNtCc

You said this
"The only plausible use I can see for Chrome OS on your home computer would be under a dual-boot scenario to get on the Web quickly without waiting for Windows or OS X to start up".

[Flanders]

Google's obvious thirst for any data in which they can "organize" and "catalog" is alarming. Migrating millions of user's entire computing experience to the cloud will give them an unprecidented amount of information that will enable them to organize, catalog and streamline their data parsers - even to the point of recognizing patterns in human thought and inquiry; thus enabing their search engines to anticipate OUR individual question based on data collected about OUR thought patterns from previous searches, OUR images stored in the cloud, videos WE have posted, bogs and documents WE write, the spreadsheets WE keep, the music WE listen too, etc. By keeping all this data in the cloud, they own it and can use it for their purposes. Don't think that it can't happen - Google is smart, their engineers are smart, and they are directed by their creed to organize the world's information - and we, as a society, aren't prepared for it.

In regards to Microsoft and their desktop OS, Chome will pose no real threat. Truth be told, Micosoft is already poised to counter. If the home market bends to thin/cloud computing, they'll modify their EXISTING Windows Standard or Embedded OS's to leverage the trend, rely on EXISTING hardware partners to package it in a cheap OEM solution to be sold through EXISTING retail channels. These are all things that google will have to establish in order to hit mainstream.

[Californian]

Ooh scary! Maybe Google's servers will start taking over the world! Oh no, they're self-aware! Really, what is the big deal? Who cares if, as you proposed, it "anticipate[s] OUR individual question"? Doesn't that just speed up search and, thereby, acquisition of knowledge? I'm all for it! If the ads served up are for exactly what I want, isn't that just fewer clicks and less ambiguity? I, for one, would love it if all the world's information were organized rather than scattered about illogically.
And you are totally right that Google needs to get to OEMs to have any significant market share. No one even knows what an OS is, let alone how to put a new one on their computer!

[kjnelan]

Oh... I'm sorry... Azure is only for servers? I had better take it off my laptop then.

Seriously, we need honest unbiased reporting. This one sided crud really should stop and reporters really need to be admonished for their lack of factual evidence.

[compute4him]

If you don't mind sharing.. Which Linux distro do you use? And, have you ever used PCLinuxOS or gOS?

Donald

wewe, on 08 July 2009 - 06:35 AM, said:

I use a Linux distro daily and experience no limitations in my computer life. No anti-virus, no hassles, and elegant. The same can't be said to the poor Windows user I need to visit this afternoon to try to resuscitate his downed XP machine.
MS is doomed.