Channel 9 Forums - Coffeehouse - Google OS

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:25:13 GMT

"Many believe Google's next step will be to use its unmatched processing and storage capacity to invite people to house things on Google's network that they normally keep on their computer desktops, such as documents, digital photos, spreadsheets and songs. All those files would be accessible from any Internet-connected device and easily searchable using the technology that made Google famous. That could mean trouble for Microsoft. The more you can do on the Internet, the less important your PC becomes. Gates has been worrying about the Internet making Windows less relevant since 1995.

Full Story

I found this very interesting - although the article talks mainly about technology and servers - I believe it is the trust factor that is going to come more and more into play - as a serious contender for MS. I mean - how do you fight a company whos mission statement is "Do no evil" ? Especially if your reputation is of the biggest baddest conglomerate around.

Simplicity and Friendliness are 2 "technologies" google has that MS just doesnt seem to get.

If Google provided sometype of "Cutomise my google os" feature - I dont think Id have any need for windows.. except to run apps like photoshop/corel/frontpage.

Thoughts?

Coffeehouse - Google OS

themaffeo — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:32:20 GMT

From my limited and probably completly wrong understanding, if Google tried to get into the OS market, It would be through more of a 'Dumb Terminal' architecture (terminal runs a simple os that provides framwork for connecting to google servers and displaying content).

If this was the case, I would see this as being a larger contender for MSFT than Linux. Mom and Dad (or Grandma and Grandpa) want a computer that works like a tv; Turn it on, press a few buttons and you get the stuff you wanted. A terminal, connected to a high speed connection could be very usful to people who only turn on their computer once a week to check their email.

Of course, the issue google will have with any sort of network storage, regardless of delivery format, is will people feel safe giving personal information to a company that is first and formost a search engine.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

themaffeo — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:35:48 GMT

As an addition: If google ever *did* go this route, you can be sure MSFT would move resources into the same direction. In fact MSFT has been trying to expand beyond the standard 'PC' paradigm for some time now. (PocketPC, TabletPC, Windows Media Center, WMA, etc).

And people wonder why I think msft stock is a good buy.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

thatis — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:40:08 GMT

Just an OS isnt enough. they would have to provide Goggle-Office too. i think that is a bit much even for Google and all their prowess. to continue in that direction what about google-photoshop and all the supporting stuff like google-type--come to think of it this is almost undoable when you consider all the additional stuff people do with their computers. storing stuff is a very small percentage of what most people actually do.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

EvilMonkey — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:40:29 GMT

Forgive the simplistic view, but if Google is offering me the ability to store all sorts of documents, images, files, etc., how exactly does that take the place of my OS? Sounds like a great file server, but i still need an OS to run apps that let me DO something with these files, right?

Coffeehouse - Google OS

cjbreisch — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:47:05 GMT

jamie wrote:

"I believe it is the trust factor that is going to come more and more into play - as a serious contender for MS.

Am I missing something? Did you just call a company that records every search you make and every link you follow as a result of those searches, and never expires that data...trustworthy?

From a trust standpoint, there's no contest between MS and Google. The Redmond gang wins hands down.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:52:06 GMT

I think we all know by now that what ever some other high profile company is doing - MS will be doing it too.

This is a good thing. The big slow MS steamroller slowly taking popular stuff - developed elsewhere ( except clear type) and "rolling it in".

They dont really have a choice - i mean - MS cant just go out and say - Hey look - we changed the whole interface to windows with a central page that your apps interact with! ( it would break everything and some people wouldnt like it - although i would).

No - they are stuck - taking what works and making it - for the most part - work better - or at least with more things.

My point above was do i want to pay 120$ a year for 15 megs of spam ridden msn email? or nothing for a gig?

Still waiting to see how ms and yahoo respond to that.

Lastly - the perception factor - mentioned above: Google spent the last 5 years with ONE graphic on thier site - with the LEAST adds of any big company - with the best search and simplist interface.

I think even apple - another company known for "friendliness- although high prices and closed technology - is also missing the boat here..

people like google. they like the word. how it looks and sounds. It just won most valuable global brand btw.

and it is for all these reasons.. i wish you luck - but how can you annouce:

NEW! Longhorn is here!
- Friendlier!
- Only ONE graphic!
- Faster than light
- Now with COOLness
- Includes TASTE!

RE: above post - they WILL provide a simple google office that MOST people will love for its SIMPLICITY

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Joe Average — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:52:23 GMT

Hmmm... I wonder what Google is up to. Something the (Dutch) telecom operators are doing now? Giving away hardware (mobile phones incase of the telcos, PCs in case of Google) for a subscription based service...

Is that whishful thinking nowadays?

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:53:12 GMT

"From a trust standpoint, there's no contest between MS and Google. The Redmond gang wins hands down."...with 2 aces up it's sleeve and a pointed gun under the table

Machines read the google mail not humans
I trust google - you can argue all you want with that statement - but i belive they wont be "evil"

I will admit that "not guaranteeing your messages will be deleted" somewhat disturbing - but they have said they are reviewing aspects of the service.

Too soon to tell

Coffeehouse - Google OS

redvamp128 — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:43:06 GMT

Well here is something that possibly you may or may not have seen. So have fun with it

http://www.msntv.com/pc/whatis_default.aspx

Coffeehouse - Google OS

CplCarrot — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:45:07 GMT

Is this not a similar concept to the AOL one which supplies its "own" browser, email client Etc etc. This speculation just takes it one step on to include the "basic" WP and Spreadsheet functions as used by granny.

I can see a split between users who just want the very basics and users who use digital images, video and "power" tools. I see Microsoft targeting the second group and conceding the first group to users who find Open Office too complex. Lets face it its the second group who are more likely to have and spend money.

Just my 2p worth

Charlie

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Joe Average — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:07:38 GMT

redvamp128 wrote:

Well here is something that possibly you may or may not have seen. So have fun with it

http://www.msntv.com/pc/whatis_default.aspx

Who is going to pay $ 21.95 a month for watching a couple of webpages, send a few e-mail of chat a little.

Most webpages are not WebTV ready, so they render not all that great on a screen like that. Then again, a TV has a resolution of 320 x 200, or something like that.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:16:27 GMT

i agree with joe

I think youll find google will not go the "charge your customers" route.

If google did provide the above service you can bet it will be FREE

you know... like the INTERNET

* it would also be less cluttered and faster ( **and this is from a graphics guy - even i have come to love the elegance and simlicity that is google

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Joe Average — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:17:57 GMT

But not entirely free of ads

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Jaz — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:22:21 GMT

themaffeo wrote:

If this was the case, I would see this as being a larger contender for MSFT than Linux. Mom and Dad (or Grandma and Grandpa) want a computer that works like a tv; Turn it on, press a few buttons and you get the stuff you wanted.

I feel that you're living in the past. i'm not sure how many people want this anymore. I feel that it'd be less than 1% of computer buyers.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:36:12 GMT

true.

just like tv.

* but the ads would be relvant to what your watching and would be unobtrusive ( no flashing animating - NO graphics)

Coffeehouse - Google OS

themaffeo — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:46:05 GMT

Jaz wrote:

I feel that you're living in the past. i'm not sure how many people want this anymore. I feel that it'd be less than 1% of computer buyers.

I (naturally) don't think so, =) but its entirely possible.

However, I can guarantee you that the principle is sound.

Making the ridiculously complex ridiculously easy is our job as software developers.

The true question is, what do we, after removing all ‘techie’ sort of applications use our computers for? What percentage of our non-development time do we spend on the internet?

If we, as “guru’s” use a small percentage of available applications a large percentage of the time, how much more so the user who doesn’t know the definition of ‘web browser’?

In any event, a move to make life simpler for our users is generally a good move. And will be widely welcomed.

1) Simple product encapsulates complex functionality

2) People buy product

3) People recommend product based on ease of use

4) Profit!

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:49:33 GMT

1) Simple product encapsulates complex functionality

2) People get product free

3) People recommend product based on ease of use

4) Company Profits through advertisers/partners!

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Jaz — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:49:47 GMT

the old are getting replaced by the younger remember. the younger are having IT lessons, hell in the USA some schools are doing CISCO courses. pretty soon the only people who won't have heard of a web browser or know what it does will be the poor of 3rd world nations)

Coffeehouse - Google OS

themaffeo — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 22:02:40 GMT

jamie wrote:

1)    Simple product encapsulates complex functionality

2)      People get product free

3)      People recommend product based on ease of use
   4) Company Profits through advertisers/partners!

=) fine have it your way.

P.S.

You forgot to redden the 's' in Profits.(doh!)
=)

Coffeehouse - Google OS

lars — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 22:45:43 GMT

jamie wrote:

" Many believe Google's next step will be to use its unmatched processing and storage capacity to invite people to house things on Google's network that they normally keep on their computer desktops, such as documents, digital photos, spreadsheets and songs.

Just turn over full access to my files to Google and trust them not to peek? Hell no. Not to mention everyone that may be listening to the traffic to and from their servers. Eche*cough*lon...

I guess privacy is a thing of the past.

Not to say that there won't be a market for it. Everyone and their uncle has a Hotmail-account. So why not. The world is full of people who think email is a confidential form of communication.

And online Office Suite. Well, the eternal battle between fat vs thin clients never end. They just invent new names. Anyone remember Sun NetPC and the Java Office Suite?

/Lars.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 23:01:14 GMT

re- trust again..

i do have SOME nice things to say about MS in this regard that I maybe shouldnt have omitted:

- ms really has fought for the user - many times in the past

- ms really does have the best unified set of software out there

but Why does all the cool and good stuff seem to be in MS's past? "We are the **** Beatles of software!!" S. Balmer.

it just seems with the activation, licencing 6, making most of msn's cool stuff only if you pay, introducing and championing DRM NGSCB - while ignoring user revolution in p2p, too much spam, too much ads, helping media companies not customers, lawsuits..... etc etc

Above only to illustrate - thats how you appear to customers alot of the time. the old MS was releasing stuff free daily ( Internet Tools Division) and talking to us, and being open...like this is doing now.

so when google's "bad" list looks something like above - trust could be come an issue.

Your trying to get it back - theyve already got it.

sorry to be somewhat blunt.. im sure many will disagree.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

lars — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 23:06:40 GMT

I know Microsoft has filed lawsuits against some of the worst spammers out there. That has to go on the list of good things.

/Lars.

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Tue, 20 Apr 2004 23:10:58 GMT

true.

you know there are many good things.

it just seems all the press is bad stuff all day in day out..when it comes to ms

your getting more publicity on the negative aspects.. and even the good stuff - are written with a negative angle..most of time

thats a topic for another post "Media MS Bias?"

Coffeehouse - Google OS

SKG — Wed, 21 Apr 2004 01:29:14 GMT

The Internet is "free"?
Not the last time my broadband bill came in the mail...

ut I fall into the camp where, I'd rather pay for NOT having commericals, which is why the G-mail proposition is so scary. Why in the name of all that is 1' & 0's would I want ads in my personal e-mail?

Coffeehouse - Google OS

me — Wed, 21 Apr 2004 01:37:31 GMT

true:

Internet bill = 40$ per month canadian

cable bill= 40$ per month canadian

so i ask - how much is left for msnTV ( 21 a month??) MSN Extra Storage(10 a month?)

David Spade voice: "your model is flawed, look into it"

Coffeehouse - Google OS

Loadsgood — Wed, 21 Apr 2004 05:17:00 GMT

Jamie, now this is a good post.
I think your "fake" post was bad because the fake was at the top. Which ruined it.