Google Phases Out Windows

[Neikron]

I found this article, and thought some people might find this interesting, especially after reading all the pro-Linux people wanting Telltale to port the games to said OS. This is definitely a step in the right direction, and why I love Google so much.

SOURCE: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1587696/

Google phases out Microsoft Windows use
Web search group Google Inc. (GOOG-Q498.72-6.88-1.36%) is phasing out internal use of rival Microsoft Corp's Windows operating systembecause of security concerns following a Chinese hacking incident, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Citing several Google employees, the FT said the decision to move to other operating systems including Apple Inc.'s (AAPL-Q255.97-7.16-2.72%) Mac OS and open-source Linux began in earnest in January after Google's Chinese operations were hacked.

Internet security firm McAfee Inc. (MFE-N32.20-1.02-3.07%) said at the time the cyber attacks on Google and other businesses had exploited a previously unknown flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, which was vulnerable on all recent versions of Windows.

The FT quoted one Google employee as saying: “We're not doing any more Windows. It is a security effort.” Another said: “Getting a new Windows machine now requires CIO (chief information officer) approval.”

Google said in a statement: “We're always working to improve the efficiency of our business, but we do not comment on specific operational matters.”

Google, which already offers e-mail, Web and other software products that compete with Microsoft's offerings, is developing its own operating system based on its Chrome browser. It will initially target netbooks, or inexpensive, pared-down notebook PCs.

Microsoft Windows runs about nine out of 10 of the world's personal computers.

[Harald B]

Now there's some bad pr for Microsoft. I wonder if that remark about efficiency is a veiled hint about Google planning to make some improvements to Linux now. That would be interesting.

[Friar]

I would have thought they would move to the new Google chrome OS they're developing, when thats finished. Hardly shows good faith on their part.

[The Highway]

I want that Chrome OS, but I don't if most of my stuff won't work on there...

[Tor]

Originally Posted by Friar

I would have thought they would move to the new Google chrome OS they're developing, when thats finished. Hardly shows good faith on their part.

Don't forget Chrome OS is basically just a web browser. I don't think it is meant to be anyone's primary operating system, and it definitely won't be able to replace a full Windows, OS X or Linux desktop. Chrome OS is more of a lightweight, instant-on 'appliance' OS, suitable for small and cheap netbooks or tables; devices that are great for light surfing but not for doing any actual work.

Originally Posted by The Highway

I want that Chrome OS, but I don't if most of my stuff won't work on there...

Considering that you may not be able to install full applications on it at all, most of your stuff probably won't work.

[Neikron]

Originally Posted by Friar

I would have thought they would move to the new Google chrome OS they're developing, when thats finished. Hardly shows good faith on their part.

I doubt that Chrome OS is targeted toward developers. I'd think it would be more of a basic end-user OS, because most advanced users would need specific applications, but those that just need something to take notes in class, check e-mail, and write documents, could achieve this easy in a browser-based OS. Of course, this is yet to be seen, and I'll have to wait until Chrome OS is officially out later this year. If this is correct, it's nothing of little faith, but something that's not targeted at their specific goals. I highly doubt the Google search engine will run off of ChromeOS server edition

[Power46]

One immediate flaw I can think of with the Chrome OS: you have to have internet access at all times. That makes it rather unfeasible for netbooks, as they are designed to be portable, and thus do not have internet access a lot of the time

Another one is that you rely on Google's servers. What if the server is hit with a DNS Attack? What happens when you are still using your computer after 10, 15 years? Will it still be able to be used in any way shape or form?

And finally, one last thought. What happens if and when Chrome OS gets popular? A web-browser-based OS must have many security vulnerabilities, and those that make viruses target the popular OSes. In fact, Windows is technically the OS that is trying hardest to fix security vulnerabilities, as they are the one targeted. In fact, that makes them have the least security vulnerabilities out of all the OSes. The only reason why you don't hear about Mac security vulnerabilities is because Mac is not popular. The Mac OS has been dissected by computer security experts, and has been shown to have many holes in which a virus can get in.

[[TTG] Yare]

How will they see outside then.

[SHODANFreeman]

Originally Posted by Power46

One immediate flaw I can think of with the Chrome OS: you have to have internet access at all times. That makes it rather unfeasible for netbooks, as they are designed to be portable, and thus do not have internet access a lot of the time

Cell phone connection + netbook = problem solved.

Originally Posted by [TTG] Yare

How will they see outside then.

Here is one internet. You've earned it.

[Power46]

Originally Posted by Pale Man

Cell phone connection + netbook = problem solved.

Many cell phones don't have tethering. The average user won't have a cell phone with tethering, which are the people they are targeting. Maybe when that becomes a truly standard feature, it will work better. And you can't say they are targeting the new netbooks, as they have stated that they are targeting every netbook in existence. Those network cards that connect to cell towers are not only in any netbook (to my knowledge), but they are also huge power suckers, and thus removes the battery life advantage. And what about times you don't have a cell phone or have no cell service? Like when in another country? What do you do then?

[Secret Fawful]

Originally Posted by [ttg] yare

how will they see outside then.

fffff

[jmm]

A few concerns about Google OS

a) Privacy and Security: Will my data and my computer stay safe? Will the OS provide with enough privacy and security controls? Will Google use my files/data for "anonymous usage analysis"?
b) Will it have enough *real* applications to make it usable (or just Google Toys)? Will I be able to perform my regular tasks on the OS and/or it's applications (like editing a spreadsheet)?
c) Clouds, Winds and Thunderstorms... Where will my data reside (for real)? How safe it will be to store data? What will happen to the OS if you have to unplug yourself from the net (e.g.: on an airplane) or if the net is unavailable?
d) Device support. 'nuff said.

Anyway, if it turns out to be a browser only OS I'm not interested.

[Tor]

Originally Posted by Power46

One immediate flaw I can think of with the Chrome OS: you have to have internet access at all times. That makes it rather unfeasible for netbooks, as they are designed to be portable, and thus do not have internet access a lot of the time

I agree. I think Google may have jumped on this concept a bit too early. I think they visualize an ideal world where everyone has reliable wireless internet connectivity at all times (Wifi+3G is a start) but that is not the case just yet. Google might have had more success if they'd waited a few years to release a cloud OS. Right now, I don't expect it to become hugely popular.

Originally Posted by Power46

Another one is that you rely on Google's servers. What if the server is hit with a DNS Attack? What happens when you are still using your computer after 10, 15 years? Will it still be able to be used in any way shape or form?

True, not just Google servers though, it's a web browser so you can use whatever web services you prefer. But yeah, a DOS attack against your favourite web-based service and you won't be able to access it. Thats true today too, every time GMail has downtime a million users cry out in terror.

Originally Posted by Power46

And finally, one last thought. What happens if and when Chrome OS gets popular? A web-browser-based OS must have many security vulnerabilities, and those that make viruses target the popular OSes. In fact, Windows is technically the OS that is trying hardest to fix security vulnerabilities, as they are the one targeted. In fact, that makes them have the least security vulnerabilities out of all the OSes.

I don't agree with your assessment that Windows is the most secure OS, but that's beside the point. Chrome OS will be very minimal, hardly any features besides the web browser, so how will that make the OS less secure than an OS with a web browser plus lots of other features? To my mind, a smaller codebase means fewer opportunities for bugs to sneak in.

But you're using web apps of course, so your data will only be as secure as the website you're using (and that's the case for web apps today as well).

Originally Posted by Power46

And you can't say they are targeting the new netbooks, as they have stated that they are targeting every netbook in existence.

That's weird, I read that they are only targeting specific hardware built by manufacturers Google has partnered with.

Originally Posted by jmm

A few concerns about Google OS
a) Privacy and Security: Will my data and my computer stay safe? Will the OS provide with enough privacy and security controls? Will Google use my files/data for "anonymous usage analysis"?
b) Will it have enough *real* applications to make it usable (or just Google Toys)? Will I be able to perform my regular tasks on the OS and/or it's applications (like editing a spreadsheet)?
c) Clouds, Winds and Thunderstorms... Where will my data reside (for real)? How safe it will be to store data? What will happen to the OS if you have to unplug yourself from the net (e.g.: on an airplane) or if the net is unavailable?
d) Device support. 'nuff said.

All very legitimate concerns, my two cents;
d) It'll probably only support the basic stuff; mice, keyboards, storage devices.
a and c) You probably already use some web applications already--so just extrapolate from that. It's not like "cloud computing" is a new concept, most people have for example used webmail for years. Back in the olden times everyone used dedicated e-mail clients on their desktops, but these days you hardly see them other than in business environments. For private e-mail, webmail seems to be the norm.
b) As far as I know, there will be *no* real applications... so yeah. You mention spreadsheet, Google will probably want you to use Google Docs for that. Google thinks you can do everything on the web.

tl;dr: Yes, it will only be a web browser. The source code is available, so lots of people outside Google have tested it already. You can probably only use a Chrome OS device for whatever task that can be done in a web browser today. I think devices will ship with built-in WiFi+3G (just my guess) and when that connectivity is not available there's not much to be done.

I can't really see Chrome OS have huge success today, though it might work quite well as a *secondary* operating system on a tablet or netbook. I think it might have greater chances to become popular in the hacker/DIY crowd than among normal users. As we've seen with netbooks, a lot of people expect a computer to be like any other computer, so when they find out that a $100 Chrome OS tablet doesn't have the same capabilities as their $800 desktop computer, there will be complaints.

[Debbie82]

The only thing I know about Windows is that it has security update patches every second and fourth Tuesday of the month to fix the problems on IE8 (which I still use, along with Mozilla Firefox).

[Lena_P]

Originally Posted by [TTG] Yare

How will they see outside then.

Now I really DO hope Avistew makes Chibi Yare pink jeans

[Rather Dashing]

Yare's a programmer, he shouldn't WANT to see outside.

[Avistew]

More importantly, without windows, how would I see inside?

[Lena_P]

Hidden cameras.

[Avistew]

Originally Posted by Lena_P

Hidden cameras.

Hey, that's a pretty good idea actually.

[taumel]

Standards are nice, not only from a developers point of view. Without something like a Windows standard things would probably be messed up a lot more. I'm not sure what people expect from ChromeOS exactly but it won't replace Windows anytime soon.