Google Chrome OS

[SidT]

Google has released its OS, but I heard it has a lot of issues (not necessarily bugs). Any opinions?

[CRGreathouse]

It's before its time. The idea has merit, but won't be workable until both infrastructure (faster network connections everywhere) and the Web itself have developed further. Google docs is nice, but I'm not prepared to give up a real spreadsheet program for it. Five years from now? Maybe.

[wragh]

a nice change from the apple and microsoft domination. i hope it turns out to be good.

[Clankfan]

Is that it's totally web based. You'd be trusting Google with your personal data. While Google wouldn't look at it (hopefully), a hacker might hack their systems. And you couldn't control their security habits. Plus, if you decided to get rid of it, Google would still have your data. Besides, there'd be no programs for it. Chromium OS is the same as Google Chrome with a login screen and all your data would be in the hands of Google. No games. No development software. No installation media or restore media. You'd have to type the math problem into the search box for a calculator. And it's only on netbooks Google deems appropriate.

[shynthriir]

Is that it's totally web based. You'd be trusting Google with your personal data. While Google wouldn't look at it (hopefully), a hacker might hack their systems. And you couldn't control their security habits. Plus, if you decided to get rid of it, Google would still have your data. Besides, there'd be no programs for it. Chromium OS is the same as Google Chrome with a login screen and all your data would be in the hands of Google. No games. No development software. No installation media or restore media. You'd have to type the math problem into the search box for a calculator. And it's only on netbooks Google deems appropriate.

You hit the nail on the head. Chrome OS will be somewhat big on NetBooks for awhile, but for the desktop and normal laptop market, I don't think Google will be able to dominate. The concept behind sharing all your data with Google won't agree with companies purchacing computers for their employees, let alone most of the population. But for simple tasks, such as what NetBooks are designed for, Chrome OS has a chance of catching on where Linux was not able to (mostly because from a user-friendly standpoint, Chrome OS won't be as intimedating as people make Linux to be).

[julien]

Does Chrome OS come with a on-the-fly encryption module ? This might be a (partial) answer to the privacy issue (I personally use an on-the-fly encryption software on my own laptop with Windows 7 in order to avoid data theft if my laptop is stolen someday).