"This computer is a massively distributed system of processors with billions, billions of displays, exabytes of storage, and it's spread across the entire planet. Your phone or laptop is just one part of this global computer, and its Primarily purpose is to Provide a convenient interface "-. Paul Buchheit
In December 2010, Google finally brought the first units to its already long-awaited browser, operating system ChromeOS out. 
ChromeOS What is actually
ChromeOS is basically an operating system, as Microsoft Windows, Apple's OS X or Linux. It is not - as the Chrome Web browser - software that runs on another operating system. Unlike the other above-mentioned operating systems - and also in contrast to mobile operating systems like Apple's and Google's Android iOS - offers ChromeOS as Operating system, its users only a Web browser as a single application on. In other words, the Web browser is the operating system. There is no way to program, or 'apps' in the classical sense to install, even the storage of local data and files only to a limited extent possible.
ChromeOS here is a Google-initiated, as well as both fundamentally forward-driven Open Source project, which combines technical aspects of a Linux kernel with Google's renowned and successful web browser Chrome. In the original announcement of the project in 2009 called Google as the target platform for its new operating system or netbooks, ie small classic PCs low power. Made in 2010 with the triumph of iPads on one side and the Android platform on the other (mobile) side must be the original focus, however, changed.
The essential properties of ChromeOS
When the properties of ChromeOS to distinguish it from other operating systems, was summed up in one sentence, one would perhaps speak of a reduction to the essentials . Where the most interesting question is what Google has for the essentials. But we're going to first of all the individual points from:
There is only one program, and this is the web browser
The fact that users ChromeOS install any programs in the classical sense on their PC can do is probably the most radical break with all of today's popular operating system paradigms. Although rabbits are old IT objected that the so everything had been there before, only it was then called 'Terminal'.
The break is clearly even more radical when one considers that a company's system administrators can install programs. On a ChromeOS PC is installed in no case more than what was included with the operating system, and this is the web browser.
What are the consequences?
Well, on the one hand, of course, that I my only under Windows running favorite image editing program ChromeOS use on a computer can not.
And I catch a computer virus anymore. And not a Trojan. And I do not need to update every day any of the installed applications. And no program, the registry would have the chance to pollute or to leave any artifacts that paralyze my system gradually. Would that be nice.
The only thing that can be used on a ChromeOS are websites and web applications (more on that later). And here is the single most serious issue arises in a planned ChromeOS changing: there are programs (or in the worst case, poorly written web pages) to me to use a specified Operating system to force?
If you look at today personally observed, so most of the time spent at the computer on the Web: all the Google services (GMail, Calendar, Docs, Maps, Reader), Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, e-books in Amazon's Kindle page and so on. In the area of business is increasingly the issue of cloud computing, that is the relocation of services and data to external server environments, relevant. In most cases, Cloud Computing is here accompanied by the introduction of web-based user interfaces. Even the classic enterprise applications like SAP now make up at least for part of the web-based user views are available.
The interesting question - for everyone themselves must answer - it is therefore to identify the use cases, the (still) can not take place on the Web. The approach taken in this text's argument is that there is a substantial number of usage scenarios where the use of ChromeOS is already possible today, and where the use because of the other benefits of this approach would actually be compelling.
Automatic update of the entire system
The second key feature of ChromeOS the automatic update of the whole operating system. The method of automatic and silent update Google has perfected in recent years, especially in its Chrome Web browser. Only Thus it was possible to bring Google to its product in little more than 2 years up to version 9 and to combine it with any version fragmented landscape back. There is probably no other product which can point to a similar version of coherence.
The automatic updates have important advantages:
- A much faster development: similar to the Chrome Web browser, even small improvements spread quickly. This especially for safety improvements. Imagine a global operating system environment in which only parts per thousand shares of the installed operating system base not with the most current version . Work
- The updates will be a digital signature that is already enshrined in the computer firmware, checked for integrity and can not be forged in this way.
You can always rely on the reliability of the computer that is standing before you. Also covered no maintenance expenses for the operation, since the device itself holds up to date and there is always a built-in option gives the computer back to a defined initial state to bring.
have security at all levels
The two previous points already the major vulnerabilities of today's closed operating systems: neither can compromise one's own computer programs installed yet, the actual operating system being attacked (at least not for long). Even these properties would have to present botnet operators and virus writers actually leave the hair on end. Which is good.
remains as a gateway for more attacks, the Web browser. There does, however, from the Chrome Web browser, known and proven sandboxing, which was probably one of the main reasons - in addition to automatic updates - of which the Chrome browser was in his rapid ascent never slowed down by glaring security problems.
To complete the security concept remains just one point:
shift of their own data into the network and the synchronization of user preferences
ChromeOS is - as it - not for the storage of personal files on the computer. The idea is the complete transfer of all data in the cloud, while on the computer ChromeOS essentially only in the use of Web applications resulting data is stored. These data will be stored on the computer and can be read again after a successful login.
This has two consequences: the change from one computer to another ChromeOS is not jeopardized by a ballast of files, as it inevitably arises in any modern operating system. And the loss of a computer such as through theft ChromeOS worry not have one: not only lose any data - which are all in the cloud - yet other people can reach their own data, not even the small part that on the computer cached. simplify final
To switch from one computer to the next ChromeOS the Browser-/Betriebssystemeinstellungen associated with your account and reconciled with each application. No matter what ChromeOS computer to register: always immediately the last used environment is available again. Recall at this point once in the last own moving to another machine, how long it has lasted, until the new computer again 'good' felt? Hours? Days? Often they were weeks ago ...
all attributable to the result of a literal expense-free and uninterrupted interchange of computer hardware.
radical shortened starting times at lower hardware requirements
the design of ChromeOS deleted the Google developers have a variety of existing in today's operating systems components, which slowed both the boot process as well as the operation.
The goal - now apparently reached - is a start of the operating system in a few seconds. Where few seconds here thinks less than 5 seconds and start the operating system the period from switching on the computer to the login screen and not waking up from a sleep state. The starting velocity was the first ChromeOS prototype is compared with that of the iPads of testers.
by the radical slimming down of the operating system ChromeOS is apparently also with significantly lower hardware requirements.
And there are applications for ChromeOS
Even if - as previously described at length - is not possible to install under ChromeOS applications in the traditional sense, offers the browser operating system but a concept that the terms application or App and installation used. Google offers here on the Chrome Web Store a platform through which users can install web Applicationen in ChromeOS. In such an installation is more than just creating a bookmark with a nice icon:
By installing, applications required additional rights such as access to offline storage or the location of the user are paid only once and not again at every access. The Chrome Web Store allows this - as well as the App Store for Android and iOS - the search for specific applications, together with assessments, categorization and examination of a certain seriousness the services.
For ChromeOS users might find it a central point of contact available to new services can be. Of course, also any website / web application are quite conventionally invoked by entering the appropriate Internet address and used.
An interesting point at this point perhaps the Web technologies that support ChromeOS: In addition to HTML 5 will support Flash, but no proprietary technologies or plug-ins that are not available under Linux. This is particularly true for Microsoft's Silverlight. The hardware for running
ChromeOS
to the hardware on which ChromeOS is, can today are not told very much. Basically, a trend seems apparent to less powerful and therefore cheaper equipment.
Another argument for a relatively cheap device could also be in the previously described replacement of the hardware, why should I invest in a particularly extravagant hardware when it is completely indifferent to what device is used for his work? The extremely simple design of the Cr48 devices is therefore possibly due not only its pilot, but as a program.
support is Google on the hardware side, probably by many manufacturers will learn appropriate cooperation in the field of Android can continue here safely. Even Intel has pledged its support and not denied in the face of the old alliance with Microsoft. For device manufacturers can offer ChromeOS at least at the beginning of the chance in the competition by the best available prices to attract attention.
What are the application areas of ChromeOS
After the long preface now to the main topic of the blog entry, namely the possible use of ChromeOS fields, for they are indeed necessary to make the whole thing is really, really big. The investigation of the application areas it is roughly divided into three different areas:
The use of the private sector
The private sector says the commitment to individual personal use, an area in which there compared to corporate environments usually greater freedom, but at the same time purchased often a lot less professionalism in the operation of some point computer.
ChromeOS In this environment, probably at first not much chance to replace the existing first computer. Too vague, still appears as the idea that one of the many gigabytes of digital photos online already could organize their own or purchased is conveniently located Druck-/Scan-/Faxkombination - Google Cloudprint Despite the - can be run on a computer ChromeOS would make sense.
The great opportunity for ChromeOS in this environment, but the trend towards second, third or even fourth PC in one household. Why should the children of an expensive and insecure Windows PC get when they can with a cheap and maintenance-free ChromeOS devices as well or even better and learn to communicate? What is the standing in the kitchen and make a media center serving Netbook worry if you can avoid it? Why invest in a tablet as the iPad, if ChromeOS launches just as quickly, the battery lasts just as long as the device is cheaper and it still has a keyboard?
And just as we now even our not so computer-affinity relationship with Chrome supply as a Web browser, because we can be sure that they are not with outdated versions online and who capture knows what for malicious software, we could convince the next computer purchase really like a ChromeOS computer would prepare us a lot less trouble in the family's internal support. From the huge learning curve for today's MS Windows / MS Office systems quite apart.
Finally, could the superior safety characteristics of ChromeOS and private lives are important to conduct, for example, the online banking.
I would venture to predict that in future be found in a household to a maximum of one computer with a classic operating system, all the rest can be covered by ChromeOS devices.
Use in public areas
Under the use in public areas, all applications are combined, where the interchangeability of the hardware is in the foreground or the possibility of any computer in seconds ChromeOS feel at home . Add to that the not yet named host of ChromeOS function that corresponds to the incognito mode of the Chrome browser, and the use of Web applications in ChromeOS possible without logging.
applications there is heaps to:
- Hotels: A hotel can offer its guests ChromeOS laptops. There is no cost to the devices, and guests can access without Google account via the guest mode to the network.
- airlines: Much like the passengers in hotels can ChromeOS computers are made available by the low cost and the maintenance of freedom can technically untrained personnel spend the devices and problems simply provide a replacement device.
- Libraries: This could simply be awarded to the visitors by those already in the previous points, benefits to equipment notes to enable and to get more information.
- Schools / Colleges: Again, the costs could go with ChromeOS so far that the pupils and students, computers can be made available.
- Dining: In coffee house chain is offering a Wi-Fi access to use almost naturally come with ChromeOS could add also the making available of the computer.
- Information kiosks: Information systems were pure or non-interactive ads to operate without further assistance efforts with ChromeOS can
In this field of application may be the breakthrough of ChromeOS in extremely expected soon, since this is about the use by large organizations such as hotel chains or universities that use tens or hundreds of thousands of customers.
Use in Division
In contrast to the previous section, here is the supply of the IT staff of a company meant. There exists a huge range, which extends from the self-employed with quasi-private relations, to the global corporate giants. Let's start small, to: At
is probably the clearest opportunity for companies and organizations that are already real Cloud users and as the Google Apps using. This group has the option of even the Microsoft licenses to use past savings and the right to use their cloud client equipment. In such an undertaking probably almost no internal IT support is necessary.
same applies to schools and universities that participate mainly in the U.S. in large numbers in the Google program for educational institutions and thus will have Google Apps users are. They will also be able to ChromeOS further significant cost savings, but also to simultaneously implement service improvements through the simplification of device usage.
In large companies, by contrast, the existing Microsoft Windows infrastructure will not be replaced completely in the foreseeable future. Too much Are the links to the Microsoft Office world, too numerous specialty programs that work only on Windows. They are at least the knowledge that to want to migrate in recent years for various large organizations attempt to classical Linux PC. Nevertheless ChromeOS is due to its outstanding properties also found his niche now:
- maintenance: In all companies there are computers for the 'general' use, for example during presentations. These can be replaced by ChromeOS. Also, field staff may be a predestined group of users, which are feared to ChromeOS not even the loss of a device would have.
- Security: The BSI has just re-issued a warning to take when traveling abroad only completely empty laptops and cell phones to avoid industrial espionage. This could be a previously ChromeOS not have achieved safety levels and still enable convenient usage.
can also but also in the vicinity of large companies a quick replacement of the normal workstation by ChromeOS be anticipated, because the so-called ChromeOS brings Receiver with Citrix. This software is already widely used for desktop virtualization in Windows environments, enabling the use ChromeOS even if the users have access to certain purposes or Windows computer. For IT departments that would reduce the end-user device support in the extreme case for the release of a computer and the time-consuming operation of the MS Windows infrastructure may be limited to a few central servers.
What consequences should IT companies from ChromeOS
pull ChromeOS Although at this moment not yet available as a complete IT product companies are already well discussed this option in their future strategy to be considered. This may be the use of as much as possible should ChromeOS enterprise applications already chosen are that they:
- are entirely web-based,
- for using any Web browser (or at least Chrome) can be used and
- any operating system on which the browser is installed.
Points 2 and 3 are particularly important: Microsoft introduces Silverlight now using a proprietary browser extension that Linux systems can not be used. A Web application that requires such extensions can not be used under ChromeOS and should be avoided. Another example is the SAP Web client, the shares only for certain browser types. Here one can probably only to the growing Dissemination of Chrome and other browsers are hoping to try and force large providers such as SAP to appropriate clearances.
credit
My assessment was that with ChromeOS one of the first real breaks in desktop operating systems is imminent for a long time, has in writing this text strengthened even further. Too many services in recent years have already hiked in the cloud, much as the web browser is now the main working tool, too complex or too uncertain, most of the other over decades operating systems than one could dismiss were stuck behind ChromeOS vision yet.
The trend is also the cloud from the explosion of mobile platforms iOS Android and promoted, as this today from a productive organization now irreplaceable tools to enforce the collection and provision of all critical applications on central servers over the network in a previously unknown extent. It is therefore considered for the IT operations for other reasons important to the above principles in choosing the products to keep them in view of the variety of devices with which they are confronted suddenly incapacitated.
If ChromeOS actually available in the middle of 2011, this could be the day after the various statistics so moving around the 10% market share of the Chrome web browser by the end of easily double. And after that? Perhaps it is not unrealistic to expect that Chrome will soon replace the Internet Explorer browser with the largest market share and operating systems MacOS overtaken quickly.
And to make something exciting - and so it is worth in a year purely to watch again - I submit the following prediction: if ChromeOS will be published as planned, then the market share of Chrome (whether as a browser or are present as OS) in 12 months at least 25%. The reference here is to apply the Netmarketshare index, in the Chrome end of December 2010, a share of certified just under 10%.
Links
Finally, a few links:
Interesting pages and articles on:
- For Google, the browser Does It All - Article in The New York Times
- ChromeOS & the Future of Medical Computing - reflection on the use of ChromeOS in the special environment of the hospital everyday
- Fortune for Citrix integration ChromeOS
- BSI warning of espionage abroad
- browser market share by Netmarketshare , Statcounter and W3Schools
And then a few more videos:
0 comments:
Post a Comment