Google makes foray into operating system world with new Chrome OS

by Rick Castellini, MCP Special to PRIME Before I left for work early one morning, I caught a quick glimpse of Google's Twitter announcement that it was entering the world of operating systems (software that runs our computers). Most folks in the tech business figured it would be a natural leap for Google to work toward their own operating system, especially after the release of the company's Chrome browser last year. However, I couldn't wait to return home and participate in the techno frenzy. Brushing up on Chrome I spent most of the evening after work that day reading many of the already thousands of responses to the Google announcement introducing the Chrome Operating System (you can read the entire announcement here: http://tinyurl.com/mkt6lv). My colleague, Adam Cochran, penned a nice article at TalkingDigital.org from the perspective of a Google OS wish list. Give his article a read, I especially liked his fourth point. Unfortunately, many of the articles I read seemed to be focusing on what Google Chrome will not be versus what Google themselves already stated it will be. The executive summary of Google's announcement states the following points: Google will release Chrome OS later this year; Chrome OS will be available on products by mid 2010; It will be based on Linux; (It) promises to boot fast and be secure All applications will work within the browser (web based) Part of a new crop of OS Although it is a a new name and player in the field of operating systems, the Google Chrome OS will not really be that new. The following lightweight OS and OS hybrids are available now: Splashtop Moblin - a Linux Foundation and Intel project CrunchBang Linux Ubuntu NBR Cloud OS from gOS (vaporware at the moment) JoliCloud (still in limited alpha release) The future or OS systems I had to wonder if Google will be working with any of the above and retool and re-brand one of these existing systems? Let's face it, consumers want fast, safe, easy to operate computers and cheap, but get brain lock if they don't see a Windows logo. The first netbooks, before they were called netbooks, all came with a small, fast, safe Linux operating system installed until Microsoft muscled into the space and screwed it up. Also to blame are consumers who, overall, have no intention or desire to learn or attempt to learn how to do their computing in anything but a Windows- driven system. While it is true that a small percentage of computer users need Windows for proprietary software, games, and specialty software, all the above systems (and the upcoming Google Chrome OS) can perform the tasks folks work with the most often; word processing, digital photography (including light editing), email, social networking, and of course web browsing. Windows won't and really can't go away any time soon. However, with Google throwing its considerable weight into the operating system arena, I see an opportunity for Microsoft to stop trying to be all things to all people and concentrate, instead, on power users and businesses. Small, nimble Linux and web based operating systems can more than adequately serve the average computer user and even the small business user. I am excited to see how Google's announcement plays out over the next year. What about you? What are your thoughts on Google's announcement and the future of computer operating systems? Rick Castellini is an author, computer consultant, and hosts a nationally syndicated computer radio show from Colorado. Visit his web site at www.HelpMeRick.com for new tips every week and sign up for his free weekly email newsletter. You can also follow Rick on Twitter @HelpMeRick