Fake Google OS

garthv · 11-09-2005 2:58am #1

Im sure most people know about the fake Google OS stories that have been floating around. When I was first shown the link I actually thought to myself (until I found out it was a fake) that this was a brilliant idea.
Google are one of the most user friendly and expanding net based companies out there and I one for would love to see a Google OS. Would Google be able to do it?Would you buy it if they actually did?
I know I would....

CuLT · 11-09-2005 3:04am

Tbh, I'd say they are working on one.

It'd be terribly googlish of them to apparnetly laugh at the thought and then bring one out at some point.

We wouldn't need to buy it

GoogleOS would have a free basic version and then an advanced version for a reasonable sum

garthv · 11-09-2005 3:09am

Aye I wouldnt think they'd charge for it really,
If they are working on it I'd say it'll come out on Aprils Fool day again:),
Good oul Google!

flogen · 11-09-2005 10:39am

I think we'll see a google browser before we see a google OS, but with all the Google - MS battles going on, I'm sure they'd love to steal some users from Gates.
Their new staff member (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4228910.stm) is worth noticing, surely they didn't get him on board just to tweak their adsense tool!

Oh and another thing, if google did make an OS, they would have to ensure that it was extremely user friendly from the ground up, in other words installation. If it's like Linux they could have a problem, they'd need it to be a simple install and reboot, and there you have it. I would love to see all the google tools I use intergrated with my OS properly, though.

CuLT · 11-09-2005 1:04pm

flogen wrote:

Their new staff member (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4228910.stm) is worth noticing, surely they didn't get him on board just to tweak their adsense tool!

OMFG! It's Internet Pioneer!

I have oft dreamt of his quests along the information superhighway!

(sidenote: I love how his name is "Cerf")

Jammer · 11-09-2005 1:24pm

CuLT wrote:

Tbh, I'd say they are working on one.

It'd be terribly googlish of them to apparnetly laugh at the thought and then bring one out at some point.

We wouldn't need to buy it GoogleOS would have a free basic version and then an advanced version for a reasonable sum

It would have to based on some linux core...so a free version and pro perhaps, a la Suse

KeRbDoG · 11-09-2005 1:24pm

flogen wrote:

I think we'll see a google browser before we see a google OS, but with all the Google - MS battles going on, I'm sure they'd love to steal some users from Gates.
Their new staff member (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4228910.stm) is worth noticing, surely they didn't get him on board just to tweak their adsense tool!

Oh and another thing, if google did make an OS, they would have to ensure that it was extremely user friendly from the ground up, in other words installation. If it's like Linux they could have a problem, they'd need it to be a simple install and reboot, and there you have it. I would love to see all the google tools I use intergrated with my OS properly, though.

Anyone ever installed Ubuntu (based on Debian)? Easy install and 95% of the time everything works after the reboot

Google OS eh? If they did launch an OS, and it was based on Linux, then all your windies games/apps wouldnt work. Only your Linux based apps/games, of which there are few that majority of people use.

Rollo Tamasi · 11-09-2005 4:41pm

ah yes but it would be in googles best interest to create a cross platfrom OS. Now that would be cool!

Laguna · 11-09-2005 5:31pm

Yes, if someone actually came up with a cross platform OS, so we didn't have to be forced into buying Windows if you want to play games/buy certain Windows only software then YES, that would be the day my faith in the advancement in computing would be restored!

Khannie · 11-09-2005 5:47pm

You can emulate windows quite well on linux. It's just not user friendly enough for the masses yet. I reckon 5 years down the line and it'll be a viable alternative for your average computer user (with windows emulation).

If google did release a linux distro, I reckon it would help the linux cause no end.

Laguna · 11-09-2005 6:35pm

Yeah man, I really resent having to buy Windows as I mainly play PC games.

Rollo Tamasi · 11-09-2005 7:37pm

the next few years should see windows getting a right kick up the ass. Especially with the Mac becoming more popular and Linux looking more like a viable desktop OS with Madrake and Suse.

Lord Oz · 11-09-2005 7:38pm

If they did make an OS, would they make all their sites and programs exclusive to it? Programs like GoogleEarth and even googles web search engine itself. And extra google ads for users using other operating systems.

The Real B-man · 11-09-2005 8:19pm

i think it would be good for internet cafes just for surfing checking emails etc. but not for everyday use

aidan_walsh · 11-09-2005 8:28pm

Lord Oz wrote:

If they did make an OS, would they make all their sites and programs exclusive to it? Programs like GoogleEarth and even googles web search engine itself. And extra google ads for users using other operating systems.

No. That would be very, very bad for them if they did.

The Real B-man wrote:

i think it would be good for internet cafes just for surfing checking emails etc. but not for everyday use

Why so? Not at first, perhaps, but given time to mature and develop a user base would you think that same restriction would continue to apply?

flogen · 11-09-2005 9:36pm

If google could make a cross platform OS which took the best of Windows and Linux, encorperated google Desktop search from its core, along with some blogging software, google maps, gmail and desktop search bar tools etc. with all the other innovation they have up their sleeves.. that would rock. it's probably miles away, but if there is a company that wil make a free OS that can do all the above, I'd put big money on Google.

smeggle · 11-09-2005 9:39pm

Laguna wrote:

Yes, if someone actually came up with a cross platform OS, so we didn't have to be forced into buying Windows if you want to play games/buy certain Windows only software then YES, that would be the day my faith in the advancement in computing would be restored!

Be nice to see it happen but I wouldn't hold out any hopes myself. I don't think they'll even look in that direction but you never know, plenty of rumours about them doing it.

I'd say if they do it will be compatible but not based on any exisiting emulation like windows, Linux or mac. If they do it they'll do in in there own enevitable style as they allways have. And they know they wouldn't get far if they made there own current stuff 'Google Only' and shut it our from the rest. That would do them more harm than good and what would be the point as it allready works across platform anyway?

Still, will wait to see - if it will happen, doupt it myself though as I don't think they have any need...

pickarooney · 12-09-2005 1:46pm

Reminds me a little of BeOS, not sure why. That was a cute little endeavour, pity it died.

stevenmu · 12-09-2005 2:19pm

I can see them doing a Google branded linux like others have said. They've already created a huge brand that's popular with non-techies, techies, and the MS hating crowd. Especially now that they've gone public, they'll start to leverage that brand more and more, a Google OS with Google Office and a Google Browser integrated with the Google Desktop, which takes you by default to Googles webpage. It's going to be promoted and installed everywhere possible by those who hate MS's monopoly, and ultimately create a bigger monopoly than MS ever was.

Rollo Tamasi · 12-09-2005 3:41pm

stevenmu wrote:

It's going to be promoted and installed everywhere possible by those who hate MS's monopoly, and ultimately create a bigger monopoly than MS ever was.

I'd much prefer to be part of a google monopoly more so than the current ms monopoly, at least google know what they are doing, they are creating some nifty programs such as google talk and google earth as well as a pretty decent email service and the best search engine...... I've taken a look at IE7 and MS Vista in the last month and they are both pure cack! Bring on Google and give MS a kick in the Gates!

aidan_walsh · 12-09-2005 9:21pm

Aside from the scale and scope of development needed for the products mentioned being not at all comperable, Vista and IE7 are early edition betas that aren't nearly at a point where they can be used everyday. The only reason half of Google's services are still in beta is so that they have a convenient excuse to pull them down if needed, or so that they can change their minds about the direction of the product if they like.

I'm not saying they don't know what they are doing, because clearly they have a lot of good stuff, but that doesn't sound a lot like a company with a clear picture of where their product line is going, now does it?

garthv · 13-09-2005 11:50am

Google are keeping them in Beta so they can fully test them out to all extents( and to pull them out if they go wrong of course) . This means that when Google release a program all the kinks are worked out and its a proper alpha verison whereas microsoft just release a product as soon as possible and work out the kinks from there...

Gone West · 13-09-2005 1:27pm

gary, bet you a pint that google wont release an OS.

They hire scores of specialised OS people to work on, build, upgrade, improve and R&D their custom OS which they have running on their 1000s of machines.

harney · 13-09-2005 2:58pm

I think that if Google released an OS there would be alot of people reaching for tin foil hats due to the amount of potential information Google could hold on them.

Having said that it might be quite interesting. Maybe they could inprove on something like ReactOS The website is undergoing an overhaul at the moment, but it looks like an interesting prospect.

Stark · 13-09-2005 3:09pm

Maybe they would release a Google customized version of a Linux distro but never their own OS.

Google write great pieces of software because their software projects are generally of the scale that they can be done by compact teams of highly skilled programmers. I don't think they're equipped to handle something as monstrous as an operating system. Their software also tends to be high on "coolness" but low on frills - Google Talk being a perfect example.

Basically Google is a company of geeks. They do cool stuff that we just love to play with, but I don't think they could undertake a large scale project that would require rigorous attention to industrial software practices, the kind that Microsoft has.

stevenmu · 13-09-2005 3:40pm

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

I'd much prefer to be part of a google monopoly more so than the current ms monopoly, at least google know what they are doing, they are creating some nifty programs such as google talk and google earth as well as a pretty decent email service and the best search engine...... I've taken a look at IE7 and MS Vista in the last month and they are both pure cack! Bring on Google and give MS a kick in the Gates!

The thing is, onece upon a time MS had some pretty nifty apps too, the problem with them these days is that since they became a monopoly, there's very little need for real innovation but they need something to make people upgrade so they add bloat and invent new buzzwords and marketing terminology to make people think they need the new version for all it's enhanced widgets. If Google ever becomes a Microsoft styled monopoly, they'll suffer the exact same problems and we'll be right back to where we are now.

Syth · 13-09-2005 9:05pm

The original article wrote:

It is based on GNU/Linux with a HURD/Googled kernel

Cause that makes sense.

Fake Google OS

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