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Desktop alternatives to MegauploadGoogle Chromium OS has been on everyone's lips for a few weeks, and is finally available for download – only as source code, though. The new operating system developed by Google is intended to dramatically change the way we use our computers today, and definitely move on to the Cloud.
I've tested this very first version of Chromium OS on VMware, and I have to say that my first impression has been one of disappointment. After reading so much about it I expected something else... at least something more than a web browser! Because that's exactly what Chromium OS looks like: a simple, standard web browser.
After the initial shock, the truth is that having a web browser as operating system – or viceversa – is quite a revolutionary idea, with a few positive sides to it. First, everything's done online: you use online apps, you store files online, you work with online documents. Everything is available anytime, anywhere. Second, it makes the system much faster and lighter on resources. Chromium OS hardly takes 10 seconds to boot up, and has been developed with netbooks in mind. Third, the web browser interface saves you the pain of having to learn how to use a new operating system. You've probably been using web browsers for a few years now, so you know how they work.
However, Chromium OS is not a bed of roses. When I said my first impression was one of disappointment, I had my reasons for it. To begin with, this first version of Google's operating system is at an early development stage – so early it's very unstable and crashes too often. The fact that you have to compile the code in order to test it doesn't help either; I could have waited for an Alpha standalone version.
But the most important handicap here is us, computer users. When I launched Chromium OS for the first time I was very confused: there was no Start menu, no file explorer, no taskbar... none of those well-known elements you usually find in all other operating systems. It took me a while to get used to the fact that Chromium OS is totally different from everything I've seen so far. This change of mindset is going to be the most difficult part in Chromium OS: to move from a traditional computer-based perspective to a revolutionary web-based only operating system. A serious challenge that Google has just started with their operating system and which I think will eventually change the way we use computers.
What about you? Have you tried Google Chromium OS yet? What are your thoughts about it?
Well, lets see if I can make my point here because I'm stunned about Google's OS after reading so much and for so long about it. As you may possibly know this new "chromium os" is a browser-like application running on top of a linux system. It is also supposed to be inspired by Google Chrome. Well here comes the nonsense behind all this. Google has not yet released a Chrome version for Linux!!! http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/linux.html If I am not wrong, they have been on development stage for almost one year. I sent them my e-mail address long ago to notify me about the upcoming release but I have already lost hope. Where is the commercial or logical strategy behind all this if any? Are they going to give us linux users a really nice Christmas surprise and come up with a brand new linux distro called Chromium or whatever. If that is so welcome home Google Chromium!!!
Chromium is not for anyone who can differentiate a browser from an OS. It is for netbook users and people who don't know that you just press next all the time when installing software. It may shock vets but consumers new to computing will appreciate the simplicity. that said, my only shock is in regards to the system costs when nvidia has already developed what i think will be the future of small scale devices such as netbooks in their tegra all in one motherboards.
For Google it is important to offer a product to offer users a faster and convenient with web application. Google has provided good data security Moreover, storing data in cloud implies a authentication process to access also use cryptographic algorithms.The business model is based on Google's online advertising and it is unthinkable that this orientation is changed and Google Chrome OS is therefore understood as an additional tool used by Google to convey to the greatest number of users as possible for their advertisements, increasingly filtered and contextualized. well what ever but i am looking positively towards Google. Where there is some incompatibility exist on some computer due drivers for more see http://www.techarena.in/review/18377-google-chrome-os-chromium-os.htm
You can get to the file browser by typing "chrome://filebrowse". You can download files from the internet or from an external drive, and you can open those files by right clicking on them and telling them to open, but they open the text in some kind of terminal environment. Has someone figured out how to send those downloaded files to your google docs to open them??
I don't know how any net type application with apps on some server will work for business. The whole issue is fine in concept if you live in areas that have good quality internet or wifi. Sa a business man and a traveller this in just not a reality in any shape or form. At least with conventional applications on my laptop I can be productive on the plane and I can mail when i get a connection. Lets face it I have a 13 nick Mac book pro it is no heavy weight but is powerful enough to tackle any application. I don't really get the whole net book thing marginally smaller and lighter but just poor performance and the amount of extras you have to cary for full functionality makes it even heavier and bulkier …Why..? Our infrastructure on the net side just stifles advancement like this its like yes you can buy a zoned but can you run it on a dirt track no mater how much performance and innovation you can develop whats the point if it wont run because you do not have the broadband to run it… so why would you buy it . the infrastructure has to be there for any advance in this technology or what is the point.. it will be forever an aspiration but never a reality. Perhaps the tech firms can all club together and put fiberoptic or wireless attains that give us a framework that will allow us to say yes ill buy that because it can work.
I think this is a step forward in computing. Google are big enough to challenge Microsoft in the OS market, which is a good start. As a technician, I would need more then C-OS is offering at present. However, when my girlfriend uses her computer all she has ever used is a web browser, picture viewer, movie player and a word processor, (now all available online). She has no use for anything else. I think this is true of many casual users, and Chromium OS will find a market.
Im sat reading all of these reviews, thinking..... surely one of these lovely HACKINTOSH gurus, can invent a method of DUAL BOOT? surely a computer with CHROMIUM in its startup routine, with an option to get back to say XP, or WIN 7 Functionality (MAC OS, LINUX configurations not being dismissed here btw) would present the user with the best of both worlds. I see CHROMIUM as a vast advancement, in terms of data security.. i mean hey steal my laptop... it has literally nothing on there!!! I understand what everyone is saying regarding the inability to use this whilst travelling, but, with a DUAL BOOT option work can continue and files can be uploaded to the Cloud on completion, at the next available WIFI spot. Again, data is secured online. BACKUP.... well who doesnt own a pen drive nowadays.