The Google Linux desktop has arrived

Source: http://blogs.computerworld.com/the_google_linux_desktop_has_arrived

Google has been slowly, but surely, displacing Microsoft as the number one PC technology company. Google has done it by misdirection. Instead of taking Microsoft head-on in desktops, Google first consolidated their hold on Web search and only then started moving into Web-based desktop applications. Then, in 2008, they made their first direct strike at the desktop with the release of their own Web browser: Google Chrome. Now, Matthaus Krzykowski and Daniel Hartmann, founders of the stealth startup Mobile-facts, have found that you can take Google's smartphone operating system, Android, and use it as a desktop operating system.

In fact, the dauntless duo found that it took them only "about four hours of work to compile Android for the netbook. Having done so, we (Daniel Hartmann, that is) got the netbook fully up and running on it, with nearly all of the necessary hardware you'd want (including graphics, sound and the wireless card for internet) running." In short, they found that Android was already a desktop operating system.

This didn't come as a surprise to either of them. They'd been expecting Google to use Android for more than mobile phones for months. What I find a bit surprising is that it was already so easy to port Android to a PC. Heck. I could have done it, and my coding skills are really rusty.

Specifically, the two got Android running in desktop Linux mode on a netbook, the Asus Eee PC 1000H. This is a pretty standard netbook. If you can get Android to run on it, you shouldn't have much trouble getting it to work on any desktop.

What's even more interesting though isn't that technically you can get Android to work on a desktop. Android is, after all, a Linux operating system and it's always been easy to move Linux from one platform to another. No, what I think is telling is that they found that Android has "two product 'policies' in its code. Product policies are operating system directions aimed at specific uses. The two policies are for 1) phones and 2) mobile internet devices, or MID for short. MID is Intel's name for 'mobile internet devices,' which include devices like the Asus netbook we got Android running on."

In other words, Google, not just some technically adept users, is already thinking about using Android as a desktop operating system. Krzykowski and Hartmann don't see Google making its desktop move very quickly though. They believe that Android-powered netbooks, thanks to Android's already existing hardware partners in the Open Handset Alliance, could arrive as early as spring this year.

They don't expect that to happen though because "One important part of the ecosystem would be to have a set of well-functioning applications (an office productivity suite, for example). Google is mostly leaving applications development for Android to third parties (applications which run in the browser like Google Docs being the notable exception). At the rate things are going, we don't see enough of these third parties developing applications for Android netbooks in the next 12 months."

I disagree. I don't see it taking 12-months at all. While it is true that Android's applications are written in the JVM (Java Virtual Machine, Dalvik, instead of Linux developers' eternal favorites, Gnu C or C++, Android already includes a set of C/C++ libraries. So, porting GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) shouldn't be that difficult. After that's done, bringing over OpenOffice 3.0 or the like would be trivial.

But, why bother? Google already has a host of Web-based applications that run great on Chrome. With Windows continuing to lose ground on the desktop, Vista a non-starter, and Windows 7 being rushed out the door, I could see official Google Android netbooks appearing in say the middle of the year. With Microsoft beginning to stagger -- will or won't Microsoft lay off employees this month? -- 2009 might be the perfect year for Google to take Microsoft head on.

gOS Space 2.9

Good OS (gOS) and Everex introduced the limited edition MyMiniPC running "gOS Space 2.9", a special version of gOS Linux made for MySpace users, featuring brand new MySpace Apps just weeks after the MySpace API launch. The MyMiniPC targeted MySpace users with it's glossy white case, 3D desktop, and a media center dock stacked with MySpace and Web 2.0 folders for News, Photos, Videos, Music, TV and Movies, and more. All in a system one and half inches tall and weighing two pounds.

gOS 2.9 Space is however also a generic Linux distribution, and is a debugged and extended version of the older gOS V2 Rocket. It can be downloaded as an .ISO that can be burned on a DVD (it's slightly too large for a CD), or can be put on another external boot-able medium like a memory stick, or a Secure Digital card reader acting as an external USB drive, with enough capacity. The DVD will also soon be sold from The Good OS store on their web-site.

gOS space is loaded with new MySpace features, but all the old Google applications can still be used too. As a Linux distro 2.9 is much more complete than 2.0-beta, and less buggy. gOS Space is less "light" (using a small amount of memory) than older publicly available versions, as its based on a combination of Ubuntu 7.10 the Gnome windows manager enhanced with Compiz fusion and the Avant Window Navigator, a Dock like launcher, that has been enhanced with Stacks. According to Good OS there is also Enlightenment (window manager) code used, but it's still unknown for what. In any case gOS Space needs about 384MB of RAM to work reasonably, the same amount as straight Ubuntu 7.10.

The gOS Space dock shows off some of the newest MySpace Apps: “Super Mood,” “Super Graffiti,” “Super Quotes,” and “Current Time.” With Super Mood, users add super sized emoticons and personal updates to their MySpace profiles; with Super Graffiti, users draw pictures on their friends’ MySpace profiles; with Super Quotes, users select fun quotes to display on their profiles; and with Current Time, users add digital clocks to their pages that display their local times in different colors. These MySpace apps can also be found at http://www.pimpmyapps.com.

In addition to MySpace Apps, the gOS Space dock introduces expandable icons: “MySpace,” “News,” “Photos,” “Videos,” “Music,” “TV and Movies,” “Work,” and “Fun.” Clicking the MySpace icon expands to shortcuts for the entire MySpace navigation bar, similar to (if not exactly like) the MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) Dock and Stacks.

GoogleOS? No, it's gOS Rocket (Linux distribution)

gOS is an easy-to-use, Ubuntu-based distribution designed for less technical computer users. Its main features are the use of Enlightenment as the default desktop and tight integration of various Google products and services into the product.

gOS is a Linux distribution created by 'Good OS LLC', a Los Angeles-based corporation. The company advertises it as "An alternative OS with Google Apps and other Web 2.0 apps for the modern user."

On January 7, 2008, a demo second version 2.0 of gOS named "gOS Rocket" was released at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. However, the definitive second version of gOS will probably debut mid February 2008, together with the launch of Everex's new CloudBook which will use gOS 2.

gOS Rocket is based on the Ubuntu 7.10 distribution. It uses the Enlightenment 17 window manager instead of the usual GNOME or KDE desktops, to create a desktop that has similar usability as a Mac with OSX. This is possible because of the flexibility of Enlightenment. Enlightenment acts both as a X window manager, and as a desktop environment, which helps to keep memory requirements low. Therefore Rocket works on systems as low end as a 350MHz Pentium II with 196MB Ram. But a typical gOS system would use as a minimum a 1GHz Pentium III with 256MB RAM.

Based on the idea of cloud computing gOS leans heavily on on-line applications built on Web 2.0 and AJAX technology so it also does not use much hard disk space for applications. The whole system fits comfortably in less than 2 GB. Also many of the documents created with Rocket, such as Google Docs documents, can be saved on Google servers instead of on the local hard disk, so Rocket can work with very small hard disks. In gOS Rocket Good OS introduced the use of Google's "Google Gears" technology which promises to make Google's web applications usable without an internet connection. Currently, Google Reader is the only Google application that is supported, though other web applications such as Remember the Milk have added Google Gears functionality.

gOS Rocket's primary features include a Mac OS X-like Dock called the iBar, containing icons to launch the following programs: Firefox web browser, Rhythmbox audio player, Xine video player and Skype for Internet telephony. Other programs can be added to the iBar as well.

There are also icons to launch Firefox to specific web-sites and web applications for Google Mail, Google Talk, Google News, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Product Search, Blogger, YouTube, Facebook, Meebo to online chat with Yahoo! Messenger and .NET Messenger Service users and Wikipedia. The rightmost icon is for Faqly, a system developed for Rocket to offer a built-in online community based help system, or you can use the official forum.

Other installed programs can be started through menu's, among the most important are the photo and picture editing program the GIMP, the document viewer Evince, and the OpenOffice.org office suite. More programs can be installed using the built-in Synaptic Package Manager.

Linux: Hasta la Vista, Microsoft!

It's faster than Windows, it fights viruses – and it's free.

Unless you use an Apple Mac – or you're a particularly dedicated geek – your computer almost certainly runs a version of Microsoft Windows. There's little choice in the matter; almost all consumer PCs come with Windows already installed. Can you be bothered to change that?

But now, this stranglehold has been broken. Dell, one of the global giants that supplies businesses and homes with PCs, is selling some of its PCs with Linux, a rival operating system, already installed.

Linux makes your computer run quicker, it doesn't crash, it doesn't catch anywhere near as many viruses, and it's free. For a decade, it was available only for people to install themselves. But now, the geek's favorite is coming to the masses.

Dell's two Linux machines are the 530n desktop and 6400n laptop. Their prices are low, partly because the version of Linux they run is free. Also, Linux doesn't work your PC as hard as Windows does, so you can get the same performance with cheaper, or older, hardware.

Many in the know prefer Linux. Michael Dell, Dell's chief executive, is presumably not bothered by cost – he's worth USD15.8 billion (2007). And what does he run on his home laptop? Linux Ubuntu. He also chooses Mozilla's free Firefox web browser and the free software suite OpenOffice. And that's part of the problem for Microsoft. Linux isn't just a threat to Windows; its users will also abandon Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office, too.

Linux Ubuntu comes with everything you need. There's a powerful office program with desktop publishing, an e-mail/organizer, a web browser and instant messager. You can use your iPod with it, too.

Windows, on the other hand, is continually under assault from the nasty side of cyberspace. And the software bundled with it is more basic. You get Internet Explorer and Outlook Express for web browsing and e-mail, a notepad, a paint program and a word processor, along with various media applications. If you want more software, you have to pay for it.

Linux already powers everything from supercomputers to mobile phones. Google runs more than 10,000 Linux servers. Amazon.com switched to Linux and saved a cool USD17m. The French National Assembly has started using Ubuntu on more than 1,000 computers. And since the blockbuster movie Shrek, the Dreamworks studio has been using Linux to render its 3D graphics and special effects.

Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a student in Helsinki. It was released to his computer community, who made improvements. In 2003, Microsoft put Linux high on its risk list. "The general economic environment is risk and driver No 1," said John Connors, Microsoft's then chief financial officer. "Linux and non-commercial software is risk No 2." Linux needs to pick up 2.5 million users a year to claim even 1 per cent of the market, but with Toshiba rumored to be pondering a range of PCs with Linux installed, it could be the thin end of the wedge.

So is this the time to make a switch to Linux with your next PC purchase? Should you take Windows off your creaking old machine and give it a new lease of life, courtesy of Linux? The table of comparisons will help you decide.


Ubuntu 7.04 Linux

What's best about it? Should make your existing computer responsive and lightning-fast – switching it on, powering down, and launching programs are all so much quicker than on Windows. And unlike Windows, Ubuntu doesn't slow down over time.

What's worst about it? It may not have every feature you'd like – it's quick because it's stripped-down. Plus you could have difficulties getting Ubuntu to work with other hardware. It's not quite as "plug and play" as Windows.

How much does it cost? It's free! But if you run into difficulties and need technical support you will have to pay for it (unless the free Ubuntu online forums can help, that is). This costs around RM875 a year.

Is it good for music fans? Comes with Sound Juicer, for ripping audio from CDs; Rhythmbox, for organizing music and listening to internet radio (the closest thing to iTunes); Serpentine, for burning CDs; and Sound Recorder for recording anything on your PC.

What about photos and videos? "F-spot" lets you get them from your camera and organize them into albums. Movies and videos can be watched in the Totem Movie Player, which compares well to other movie apps that are available.

What if I need to use it for work? The powerful free office program, OpenOffice, comes as default with Ubuntu. Many say it rivals, or even beats, Microsoft Office. The word processor is particularly sophisticated. The presentation, spreadsheet and drawing components are equally impressive and easy to use.

Does it crash much? No. Linux is renowned for being one of the most stable operating systems around.

How would I fight viruses? The vast majority of virus attacks are not aimed at Linux. But if you are concerned, the excellent Aegis Virus Scanner comes with the Ubuntu package and can run in the background searching for dubious files or attachments as you work.


Mandriva Linux

What's best about it? Linux Mandriva is a more attractive and fully featured operating system than Linux Ubuntu, but some say it's not as fast. The Beagle search is a big boon, enabling you to search documents, chat rooms, email and contact lists. It's also very fast – and has an attractive, intuitive interface.

What's worst about it? Some users report that Mandriva struggles when you want to plug in a new USB hard drive or flash memory stick – it's not always as simple to set them up as it is with other systems.

How much does it cost? The latest package, Mandriva Linux Discovery 2007 Spring For Beginners, costs just RM235. If you haven't had previous experience with Linux, you may also want the manual, at RM145. The snag: it's 292 pages long.

Is it good for music fans? You can produce your own music with the Linux MultiMedia Studio. To store and play your favorite tunes you use Rhythmbox, which was inspired by Apple's iTunes. It has all the usual features, including streamed internet radio and podcasts.

What about photos and albums? The Photo Album application is included, which does a great job of organizing your snaps and lets you enhance colors and reduce red-eye. It also allows you to view slide-shows and print your snaps.

What if I need to use it for work? Evolution is the Outlook equivalent of Linux and lets you send e-mails and organize your calendar and contacts. Office 1.6.2 is a lightweight but more than adequate office suite.

Does it crash? Crashes aren't common on any Linux system – so long as it is properly set up. If they do happen it is usually down to a hardware problem.

How would I fight viruses? Linux rarely catches viruses, but the free Clam AntiVirus software is very easy to set up and automatically updates so it can look f or the latest viruses. Many Linux users feel comfortable not using any anti-virus software at all.


Windows Vista

What's best about it? Everything looks sharper and more vivid than it does on the outgoing Windows XP. The new Flip 3D application helps you quickly switch between the different windows, and the search features have been greatly improved, too.

What's worst about it? Six months after it launched, gripes continue. Many people still complain that they can't run their favorite programs on Vista, so many others are holding off upgrading from XP until a second edition of Vista arrives.

How much does it cost? Around RM380 for the home Premium edition. If you want all the bells and whistles, go for the Ultimate edition at around RM645.

Is it good for music fans? It's on a par with Mac's offering, and better than the Linux equivalents. The new Windows Media Player lets you rip CDs to your PC, buy new tracks, and link to an MP3 player.

What about photos and videos? All the basics are covered. Windows Media Center also lets you browse your photos, put on slide-shows, play DVDs, watch and record TV shows from the web, download movies and watch your home videos. Or use Windows Movie Maker to cut your own home movie.

What if I need to use it for work? RM475 buys Windows Vista Business, with its fax software, but you could buy a fax machine for that. MS Office costs RM400 – but try OpenOffice, its free rival (www.openoffice.org).

Does it crash much? Microsoft says Vista is the most stable release of Windows yet. Many users, however, are unimpressed – they complain of crashes on a daily basis, saying it may be feature-packed but it's still not safe.

How would I fight viruses? You'll need to buy your own antivirus software, such as Norton Internet Security 2007 (around RM130).


Windows XP

What's best about it? XP is in its final edition, so most bugs have been ironed out – unlike the newer Microsoft Vista package. Many programs don't yet work with Vista (Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox browser, recommends you stick with XP), so it might be wise to keep using XP for a while yet if you already have it.

What's worst about it? Microsoft will end support for XP Home Edition in a couple of years. This means you'll have to ensure you keep your antivirus software up-to-date, but even so, security could still be compromised.

How much does it cost? It's no longer available in most shops, but you can pick up used copies on Amazon, and elsewhere on the web, from about RM350 up to about RM700.

Is it good for music fans? Windows Media Player 10 will serve most of your music needs. It's not as good as the music softeare in Vista or Mac OS X, but you can sync your music collection with over 70 different MP3 players. Smart Jukebox lets you burn music to CDs, rip your own CDs and listen to internet radio.

What about photos and videos? Photos can be viewed and organized in XP's default viewer. Better still, download the free Irfanview (www.irfanview.com), which also doubles as a basic photo editor, and plays movies.

What if I need to use it for work? You can either pay for MS Office (RM400 for the standard edition) or get the cheaper Microsoft Works. Alternatively, download the free Open Office, which zips along on XP and has all the features of MS Office, but doesn't have the Outlook organizer.

Does it crash much? Like all versions of Windows you'll get the infamous "blue screen of death" now and again. One way to minimize this is to avoid loading too many programs, or plugging in too many different types of hardware at the same time.

How would I fight viruses? It's essential to run your own antivirus software. A good option is Avast! 4 Home Edition, which is free (www.avast. com/eng/ avast_4_home.html). Otherwise you have to buy something like Norton Internet Security 2007 (around RM130).


MAC OS X Tiger

What's best about it? It's very easy to use and set up and has all the essentials included: calendar, e-mail and address book, and a web browser. The Spotlight search technology finds lost files in seconds.

What's worst about it? Once you're in the Apple world it's hard to migrate to other operating systems. Apple provides everything - the hardware, software and OS - which tends to lock you in. You can't just install it on a PC.

How much does it cost? The basic operating system is RM575. Since it's so easy to easy to use, you're unlikely to incur any extra technical support costs.

Is it good for music fans? Mac's iTunes still sets the pace, letting you buy audio and video from the iTunes store, rip music from your CDs and burn your own compilations.

What about photos and videos? iMovie records and edits videos, while QuickTime 7 lets you view them. And iPhoto organizes and does some simple editing of photos and other images.

What if I need to use it for work? Networking and four-way video conferencing are bundled in. OpenOffice gives you a good free word processor, spreadsheet and so on. If you buy MS Office, you'll see that Outlook isn't made for the Mac, but Entourage is, and it does the same thing.

Does it crash much? Mac OS is a very stable operating system and rarely crashes. An application might quit but the whole machine won't freeze, so you don't have to restart.

How would I fight viruses? The Mac operating system is extremely secure. Viruses and worms that target Windows are virtually non-existent on the Mac. It also has built-in security settings so you can encrypt data and set various password-protection options.

Dell is now offering Ubuntu

Finally, you can contribute $0 to Micro$oft when you choose Linux on a Dell system. Earlier this year when I ordered a Dell laptop with blank OS in order for me to install Ubuntu instead of Windows pre-installed, Dell insisted me to buy Windows license eventhough I'm going to use Ubuntu. That's sucks! I'm not going to contribute a single penny to Micro$oft... and I called for a cancellation.

The announcements for the partnership and offering are here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/news/dell-to-offer-ubuntu

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/05/01/13147.aspx

Version Comparison

Comparison
Open Source	Microsoft	Google	Apple
Alpha Testing	1.0	Shhhh… Top Secret	Unsubstantiated rumors
Beta Testing	2.0	Beta Testing	Rumors with possibly some substance to them
Release Candidate	3.0	Beta Testing	Copies are circulated to the usual suspects, who eagerly publish reviews describing it as the "most innovating product yet!"
1.0	Varies. Previous names have included 3.1, 95, 98, 4.0, 5.0 or X	Beta Testing	Released to the market place, Steve Jobs goes on record to say that it is "insanely great"
2.0	SP1, 2, 3	Beta Testing	...