Google, the Cloud and me

A new Operating System is coming. So says Google. Initially to be aimed at netbooks, but with possibly bigger aims beyond that. Can Google be the one that brings OpenSource software to commercial dominance in a Windows controlled world?

For anyone who has followed OpenSource software over the last year or two, rumors of a Google Operating System, based on Linux, aren't new. The fact of their recent of Android, the OS for portable electronics like cell phones, etc.. certainly helps set the stage.

One interesting comment struck me though, as I read one article proclaiming Google's entry into the ring. "

We're definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision," the company added

It got me wondering about Googles position and attitude in the OpenSource community. They want help and support from the OpenSource community to make this new, commercially competitive OS happen.

Google is a big proponent of "The Cloud", referring to cloud computing and provides a number of SaaS apps and services. They say their goal with a new OS is similar to that of their web browser 'Chrome' in providing fast, secure and immediate access to the Internet.

"Chrome", like all web browsers, are glorified network 'clients' allowing a user at a computer to 'browse' the resources available over a network. The Internet is the Granddaddy of all computer networks. With Google providing a whole host of applications over the Internet How does a computer Operating system fit in?

An OS in simple terms, is what allows people to use hardware resources. It provides all the programming for each piece of hardware to interact and be accessible to the user and other services. It is also a basis or foundation to provide installable software.

Now, if they were going to provide 'another old OS" to be used as a platform for installable software, there would be no point in. The market is glutted with Operating Systems that do that task well enough.

However, they have already tipped their hat in the direction they want to go:

Android is only used for mobile phones at the moment, but the software has showcased Google's keen interest in expanding beyond its search engine base.

"Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems," said the company.

All the web-based applications developed by users, Google said, "can be written using your favorite web technologies" and will not be limited to just its new operating system, but on "any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform."

To create an OS that is a platform not for installable software necessarily, but as a springboard for web based applications, is more what they are after. They can streamline the OS to include only those programs and libraries, etc.. that a web browser (like Chrome maybe?) needs to be a top performer. That's pretty much it. If it can boot incredibly fast, have security measures in place and load the browser and be on the Internet they have accomplished their goal.

The only installable apps they have interest in are those that support the browser and security.

Where will this lead everyday computing if it catches on though? Do we trust Google so much to trust our 'private' documents for storage on their servers? Are we sure they will never 'browse through that data to see what they can sell or make use of?

Google shouldn't really be offended by questions such as these because history has shown how people trusting big corporations have been burned and abused before by 'trusting' them.

Google is a corporation that exists to make money first and foremost. It incorporated in part to take advantage of tax laws, remove personal liability and responsibility from it's management and investors and once again, maximize profits. Their deeds are not entirely 'humanitarian' or philanthropic here.

I, for one, will be watching. As long as I have the ability to keep copies of all my files locally and be able to download and upload to any web based service, I feel I can still trust them with the information I choose to trust them with. Should the day arrive when that option is removed "All your data are ours!!", then I will be stepping away from Google as well.