The Google Operating System, and why it’s virtually here already
The biggest thing stopping users switching to Linux is the unfamiliarity of the enviroment. It’s a steep learning curve to change from Windows to Linux. Changing to a Google operating system isn’t going to have that though, because we’re using all its components already.
It’s the google operating system, and even though it runs on Windows, it’s almost here. All it needs now is for google to go a step further and release it as a culminated project that doesn’t need windows to run on.
Google have just released google sidebar. It lets you search your entire computer, agregated news, tells you what’s popular on the net, takes notes, tells you the weather, and alerts you of new email. Let’s mark that down as the equivalent of a start bar in windows. Google also released their Instant Messaging Program today, with chat and voice support.
Desktop/Startbar - Check
MSN Messenger - Check
Google is also funding and heavily supporting the mozilla foundation, makers of the Firefox Browser, Thunderbird Email Client and Sunbird Calender program. Gmail adds to this with promises of unlimited storage and easy searching of mail.
Desktop/Startbar - Check
MSN Messenger - Check
Outlook - Check
Internet Explorer - Check
Picasa, now in it’s second version is google’s image editor and allows easy uploading of photos online, it’s just like Windows Paint, but not horribly featureless, hard to use and lame.
Desktop/Startbar - Check
MSN Messenger - Check
Outlook - Check
Internet Explorer - Check
Paint - Check
All of the above are free. Combine them together and your on your way to an Operating System. A free one, with features to not rival, but outdo microsoft, linux and apple in almost every aspect. Even put in a brand new operating system, people will be familar with how it runs already, the reason why most people aren’t switching to Linux.
Microsoft spends hugs amounts of money protecting itsprograms from piracy… but release your program for free and you don’t have that problem. That’s what I see google doing, releasing its operating system for free with a few targetted ads in it. Imaging loading up photoshop to have a window pop up asking if you’d like to download free templates. Imagine typing to someone on your instant messenger that you were going to Sydney on the weekend, to have your operating system ask you if you need somewhere to stay. Imagine talking to someone about cars you were thinking of buying, to have your operating system mention to you that if you bought a different type, you’d be able to get to work faster through an alternate route it would show you on satellite imagery.
It’s the google operating system, and you’re starting to use it already!
Z said,
August 24, 2005 at 11:08 pm
hmmm…
I’d like to see where this article was actually drawn from. I’ve read a lot lately about the ‘concept’ of a google operating system, but sorry, not the an actual google OS -that is a while away.
However google is being referred to as a worldwide OS by many now, as it is already capable of much, can work anywhere there is internet and operates off more then a 100,000 servers -which apprently use a linux OS. Google is considered by some to already be a form of world wide OS, see
http://www.kottke.org/04/04/google-operating-system
…everyone can have an account on this world OS, and use it to search and store, create information, on a immense collective computer ‘hive’.
In general, the term “google OS” is used to describe the reach and application of google elements, NOT the advent of a complete bootable Operating System.
Sorry, i do not mean to dissagree with the scope of googles future usage -which is undenibly huge, but just that it is unlikely to turn to making complete OS for some time. However, it is certainly on it’s way there, and perhaps in a half dozen years time google will have constructed an internet based OS. In the meantime google will probably work at turning the web browsers function into an OS, running it much like a desktop.
I do look forward to the day when there is some kind of google OS which is not entirely internet based and does not need to run on top of another OS ie. not “virtual”.
That is all.
-Z
Z said,
August 24, 2005 at 11:13 pm
oh i should say if and when there was a complete google OS, it will probably use UNIX, and use linux as google servers do now. The source is already very developed and is free.
Administrator said,
August 25, 2005 at 2:35 pm
This one was written by me.
If I don’t link to a source of an article… it’s mine :P
Chris said,
August 25, 2005 at 2:39 pm
Picasa’s not an image editor; it’s a photo organizer. It and Paint have virtually nothing in common.
Interesting idea, though.
serialmc said,
August 25, 2005 at 2:50 pm
ok. all the feats. are windows based, but more goes into an o.s. than features and programs.
google kernel - (not checked) not today……
then again ????
Mark said,
August 25, 2005 at 3:17 pm
I feel that Google will probably shy away from competing with Apple and Microsoft on the operating-system front. Why bother? If everyone uses all of their software, they have little to gain by writing device drivers and hammering out code for memory management. I think Z has it right — Google is becoming a worldwide server, and is systematically turning all the Windows boxes out there into dumb clients.
Then again, we already knew that the people who use windows boxes are dumb clients.
Let’s look at what they’ve got:
1) control of our data. Since it’s now so easy to search, people will stop using a directory structure to keep everything organized. Without google, then, people won’t be able to find their papers and porn.
2) control of our communication. Telephone, IM, email… pretty much every way in which people swap ideas. Not only that, but all of this information (if they chose) can be use to deliver VERY targeted ads. This increases the ad’s value, and makes Google’s potential for ad-based cashflow climb ever higher.
3) control of our memories. Well, not really, but I have a hard time living without picasa. I only switch back to windows for one thing, really, and that’s picasa. I can edit my photos under linux with the Gimp, but it’s tricky to organize them correctly. I’ve got to give it to Gnome though — using my camera under Fedora Core 4 just got a lot easier.
4) control of our online experience. By dictating how we find information, and funding the program (firefox) that we use to experience that information, Google has a lot of control.
They have a lot of people who rely on them. Options exist, but as long as Google is the best they’ll stay on top. An operating system, I think, is simply a “Google sub-application layer”. If Google ports their applications to Linux/Windows/Mac/BSD/Sun/etc/, they could potentially own 100% of any given market type. That 100% number is something that simply isn’t possible with a bootable “Google Operating Dumb-client System” (a.k.a. GODS)
noframe said,
August 25, 2005 at 3:23 pm
Google has its own web server
GWS - Google Web Server
Checkout how google works and u will understnad the speed and power it holds in the internet and the desktops
KodeK said,
August 25, 2005 at 3:29 pm
Good! Now you have a messenger, a sidebar, and your files are all organized. Now I can click on that .DWG file…and …wait a minute, no AutoCAD for GoogleOS, so I go ahead and click on the .DOC file…wait…No MS Word….Shall I go on? Your articles has lots of flaws. I’m sorry.
Rob said,
August 25, 2005 at 3:44 pm
“Combine them together and your on your way to an Operating System.”
Uh … no. You’re on your way to a nice unified application environment, but that’s so far from an OS it’s not even funny. Unless they’re developing their own kernel, UI, memory management, drivers, and so on (ACTUAL OS stuff…), they’re quite far from an OS. A Linux distro is much more likely, but their lack of Linux releases pretty much rules that out.
I could see them doing a “Google Shell” replacement for Windows’ “Explorer” … a way to truly unify their applications across Windows. But again, even that seems unlikely.
speel said,
August 25, 2005 at 3:55 pm
HIGHLY unlikely…but hey there is a slim chance
kookoo said,
August 25, 2005 at 4:40 pm
I totally agree that all this can culminate to a future operating system. The thing about Google is they have the entire field to play with… At the moment they got quite a bit out there, and they’re working on quite a bit more.
Sure an operating system needs more than the UI.. it needs a way to make data secure, networking, device drivers, etc. But ya know what? Google probably won’t need to worry about that too much cause they could always used LINUX as their backend… especially if they’re planning to make it free.
I actually think Google will be the catalyst to making Linux easy to use for everybody.
awesomeblogs.com » Google Operating System anyone? said,
August 25, 2005 at 5:26 pm
[…] Here and Here […]
vext01 said,
August 25, 2005 at 9:14 pm
hang on a minute…. An operating system is NOT:
An email service
or
A web messanger
or
a search engine?!?!
WTF.
An OS interfaces hardware and software…
lame..
Matt said,
August 25, 2005 at 9:41 pm
Building an entire OS that’s user friendly is a lot harder that you think. Whether or not Google just makes a hack of Linux, doesn’t mean that it will be that easy to get people to switch. Just look how hard it is to get people to use a different browser.
S said,
August 25, 2005 at 10:25 pm
not going to happen… google would become the next “evil empire” and the OS, if u think about it would be one big spyware package… and what people are most worried about is privacy/security…
Not to mention Google wuld go on trial charged with creating a monopoly… just like Microsoft once was…
dloko.blog :: Google Talk :: August :: 2005 said,
August 25, 2005 at 11:23 pm
[…] So is Google looking to take over the world? With the word of a Google OS on the street, it starting to seem so. I must admit I’m feeling a pinch of Google fanboy-ism on me, but take a step back and you’ll see that Google might be getting a bit in over it’s head, no company is perfect. […]
Tim D said,
August 25, 2005 at 11:59 pm
A Google OS won’t make it. But a Google Internet appliance would, IMO.
If google could get some good designers to build an applicance that had the same sexiness as an iPod or Powerbook they would be in business. But as a stand alone OS I don’t think they’d get much market share.
-Tim D.
Matt said,
August 26, 2005 at 12:39 am
Ummm… It takes a lot more than three programs to make an operating system. In fact, it would take many years of developing a stable kernel, file system, and then programming frameworks to actually be independent from MS systems. Speaking of which, all three of Google’s programs listed run using MS code. All of them would have to be ported to new languages. Also, there would have to be extensive work on providing some type of framework for developers. This kind of thing has taken MS decades. I doubt google will jump into this at all, and if they do, it will be with baby steps.
SP_Rume said,
August 26, 2005 at 1:25 am
No, you’re not on your “way” to an OS, you’re on your way to a collection of apps.
An OS is not simply a bunch of apps developers tie together. An OS is the *platform* for these apps run on. What platform are the Google apps running on (and dependant on)? Windows! Has Google produced ANY stand-alone code that can boot and run a machine without Windows? No.
So, no, this article’s presumptions are completely wrong. Google is making a GoogleSuite, sure, but we have no more evidence than that. Google has written no code (thatwe know of) that circumvents Windows and talks directly to the chip, graphics card, etc.
DL__ said,
August 26, 2005 at 7:51 am
Quote:
Imaging loading up photoshop to have a window pop up asking if you’d like to download free templates. Imagine typing to someone on your instant messenger that you were going to Sydney on the weekend, to have your operating system ask you if you need somewhere to stay. Imagine talking to someone about cars you were thinking of buying, to have your operating system mention to you that if you bought a different type, you’d be able to get to work faster through an alternate route it would show you on satellite imagery.
/Quote
I’ve imagined it and it’s already pissing me off. I don’t want my computer interrupting me while I’m working to offer helpful marketing pitches
KirkH said,
August 26, 2005 at 8:26 am
Google’s going to use a modified version of BSD just like Apple if they’re smart. Rock Solid security, no GPL hassles and the free bit doesn’t hurt. The question is if they’ll allow it to work on any PC or will they pull an Apple.
[v]RAK.H » Blog Archive » Google Operating System, GooOS? said,
August 27, 2005 at 5:01 pm
[…] The Google Operating System, and why it’s virtually here already, talked about what Google has realeased to replace windows programs. The biggest thing stopping users switching to Linux is the unfamiliarity of the enviroment. It’s a steep learning curve to change from Windows to Linux. Changing to a Google operating system isn’t going to have that though, because we’re using all its components already. […]
Z said,
August 28, 2005 at 4:57 pm
wow burn… this is a heavy comment list hehe, i am going to toy around with linux soon.
On that note linux has a unique free kernel which uses desktop interfaces that come bundled with their own free applications (office suites and all), interfaces such as GNOME (http://www.gnome.org) and my favorite KDE (http://www.kde.org) which looks fuckin awesome (graphically and apps wise). Though you can run other apps these interfaces are really the primary experience for linux user not familiar with command lines.
NOW. if google was to fund a truly unique desktop, it could make a fortune i believe. The kernel used is free as long as changes made are shared freely. Inbuild superior internet functions into a desktop and who knows. They could make money by immbedding some non-invasive advertisement system, like they do now in their search engines.
Think about it.
That is all.
TMaster said,
August 29, 2005 at 1:36 pm
If there actually is a GoogleOS coming, don’t forget that:
a) Google seems to be terrified to release products with bugs. All their betas have been stable so far - just lacking a few features, for example.
b) They will have so much competition from “gaming OS” Windows they’ll think twice before they have found a solution to this. Perhaps they’ll release a really, really good emulator at the same time?
Then again, it might very well never happen. I’ve seen them hinting at this a lot (just do a Google). Of course, they can change their mind on this.
Well, personally, I’m going to await Vista, and see if it’s just for the noobs, or that power users can actually still do something with the OS. I daren’t hope for the best, though. (Oh, I’ve also read someone who thought that if Vista succeeded, GoogleOS would fail, but that’s nonsense, imo.)
chanakya said,
August 30, 2005 at 8:10 pm
if google really has full-fleged OS out, Y is google not trumpetting abt it in the media.
chanakya’s son, for example, expressed plain ignorance abt any such OS called google OS
reflux said,
August 31, 2005 at 2:49 am
google is a lot less evil than microsoft
khmerak.com » Blog Archive » Google Operating System, GooOS? said,
October 17, 2005 at 6:22 pm
[…] The Google Operating System, and why it’s virtually here already, talked about what Google has realeased to replace windows programs. The biggest thing stopping users switching to Linux is the unfamiliarity of the enviroment. It’s a steep learning curve to change from Windows to Linux. Changing to a Google operating system isn’t going to have that though, because we’re using all its components already. […]
Mr. Biggelsworth said,
October 28, 2005 at 8:56 am
The reason why there is rumoring of an OS by Google is because we all like the way Googles web apps work and we wish we had an OS that was that simple, useful and easy. This really sounds to me like the disgust of Microsoft is spilling over into wishful thinking about Google. The reality is however that even Microsoft doesn’t bank its bucks on OS development (Windows), it banks them on the Office suite (and Server System), so why would Google. Microsofts push of the OS is really to support sales for those applications (and the server apps that augment them), which is much more lucrative and keeps them in the drivers seat. Think about it, the typical computer might upgrade their OS once, but the office suite is upgraded 3 to 4 times before the computer is chucked. Plus the Office suite is $600, the OS is $100. It doesn’t take the new math to figure out which one is more profitable.
Now if Google were to buy Novell (Suse) and Corel … now I’m scared.
a said,
January 1, 2006 at 3:50 pm
test
Nickyt said,
January 5, 2006 at 3:33 pm
I like the idea of a google os but it is going to be tough to beat microsoft. I do see great potential for an internet based virtual computer like utility. One mor thing google internet accelerator works quite whell but what do I know I am only 13 years old.
Thought Leadership said,
February 13, 2006 at 1:23 am
Outstanding Questions for Sun, Intel, AMD and othe
I have been attempting to find the answers to the following questions with little success and figured the blogosphere could point me in the right direction…
paul said,
March 2, 2006 at 11:42 am
I agree it’s not a kernal, but I can’t wait for an alternative–especially one from a company whose moto is “don’t be evil.” If Google does go the linux route and we have a mass market linux OS people other than the nwerdly gifted are willing to use the world will be a better place. Slightly
sniperer said,
May 8, 2006 at 12:58 pm
‘The biggest thing stopping users switching to Linux is the unfamiliarity of the enviroment. It’s a steep learning curve to change from Windows to Linux.’
Utter bollocks, a trained monkey could learn to use any desktop linux distro in a day, just because it’s not spoon fed to you like windows does not make it difficult.
A few google apps do not make an os, as for a google os in the future, i fukking hope not !
johnsee said,
March 22, 2007 at 5:21 pm
HAHAHAHA!
Buddha said,
October 9, 2007 at 8:58 am
Google OS?
With all respect, but MS still dominates the market. Is it possible to beat MS?
imo the only change for Google to beat MS is coming with a new Linux distro or unite all the other distros? Beating MS by setting up a new OS from scratch? no chance, not even if your company is called Google.
Good Luck Google!
farpointstation said,
October 10, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I’ve read all the comment that are posted on this blogspot back to 08-24-05; the “Evil Empire” is still the dominant OS and software developer in the world; but…, I do believe that MS’s grip on the personal PC and business computing marked has loosened somewhat.
I’m reading more comments and infor about Linux, Solaris and other OS platforms. In my opinion, it’s just not right to have one entity in near total control of the Internet and information management. Make no mistake, the boys at Redmond, WA would like to get thier icy grips around the Internet and all the power that comes with that type of control!
Bottom line, there needs to be a user frindly OS that can be open sourced and runs all those Windows applications that we all have on our machines by the gigs! I would pay a reasonable price for a stable OS distro that could be bootable on my HDD; I realy don’t care what the name is, as long as it works and doesen’t drive me to want to chuck my monitor our my balcony door!
PS I’ve just installed an update for IE7 (Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13) and now most of my right-click options won’t work, including ie spell which I desperately need to correct my crude spelling! The “Evil Empire” strikes again!!!
HM said,
December 17, 2007 at 11:33 pm
People -
Core ingredients as mentioned above is a solid kernel - GOOG can pull an AAPL with a free, solid BSD base, without having to marry it to particular hardware.
Look at UBUNTU, it’s working great.
Yes there isn’t a Photoshop & AutoCAD etc on it yet.
The MAIN advantage Google has above all competitors:
Their nerds/engineers are fitter than the rest - they play with Lego, eat right, exercise etc. with PHD’s.
The complexity of Google’s currently implemented, distributed cloud system is way more complex and capable than anything Microsoft’s developed so far.
Apple’s got a solid operating system, but you need to fork out an iMac etc. to run it.
Winning recipe for Google:
Throw some of that genius towards a solid Linux/BSD type distribution, like UBUNTU, but make the current proprietary stuff work in there, while getting teams to catch up & outdo the Autodesks & Adobes. Develop superior filesystems independently, capable of running everything, for free. Get WINE like tech >working
HM said,
December 17, 2007 at 11:37 pm
>working
HM2 said,
December 17, 2007 at 11:38 pm
>working
Jeff said,
June 1, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Two Words $Bottom line.$$$$