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Web OS, ajaxWindows Launched
BigRedFed writes "Michael Robertson, of mp3.com fame, Linspire.com fame (or infamy depending on your view point) and more recently, ajax13.com has released another interesting piece of web software. ajaxWindows they are calling it and it's an almost full fledged web based OS that you can use to transport around your documents and mp3 collection to any device with an internet connection and a full web-browser."
That didn't end too well for microsoft last time.
Right you are. This is not an operating system, and its backers don't pretend that it is. Not even TFA article refers to it as an OS. It's just the usual Slashdot summarizing.
It's really an Ajax-based GUI API. Referring to it as an "operating system" is dumb, but consistent with the way most people deal with OSs. When you hear people moan about the demise of Amiga or NextStep or Be, they almost always talk about some cool GUI feature or application, not about the software or hardware platforms the GUI is built on. And yet it's the software and hardware platforms that ultimately distinguishes one system from another. A GUI can be implemented anywhere.
But people talk about what they know, and what most people know is the GUI. So to most people, the GUI is the OS.
This sucks worse than most similar sites I've looked at.
The server running slowly showed up some serious cracks in their design. First off, they're calling this AJAX? It _pauses_ while downloading stuff. Some core code is _not_ asynchronous.
There are a number of problems with the user interface. At one point I was prompted with a browser window about trusting the site without any comment that this would happen. When I said I didn't trust it, I ended up with a box on the screen that obscured other windows, even when they were supposedly in front of it in z-order. Assuming the content would have been implemented with Java, I don't see how this is ever going to be different, even if I had decided to trust it (Java applet components cannot have HTML-rendered components in front of them; basic browser limitation).
When I told it to add a new application, it crashed. No components worked.
Many elements of the user interface are blatant ripoffs of other people's designs. The add applications dialog uses an almost identical layout and icon set to Microsoft's similar control panel application in Windows. The icon for their "synchronize" application is a direct rip-off of Palm's HotSync icon.
And finally, when I closed the desktop window, it crashed Firefox. I couldn't switch tabs, and couldn't set the focus to any controls. I had to kill it and restart to post this message.
For what is worth this guy is the one that is *really* bringing linux to the masses (or users) in Mexico, by selling cheap computers (at wallmart; Elektra shops [they sell home furniture and electronics providing 2, 3 or 5 years financing]). He is the kind of people that Linux needs, and although you might not know; Lindows is now based on the same Ubuntu distribution.
I am currently using Ubuntu 7.04. But if you askme what is the reason why I am not using Linspire, the answer is because I just got to the Linspire page *after* Installing Ubuntu in my PC. But, for my non-freedom-advocacy-crazy (similarly to almost all the PC end users) needs, Linspire seems really appealing.
Ubuntu is an African word meaning 'I can't configure Debian'
The name Ajax wasn't really invented by them.
Its slogan was "Stronger than dirt!", a reference to the mythical character Ajax.
I wouldn't exactly say the backers aren't referring to it as an OS. Right on the front page it reads, "ajaxWindows is a virtual operating system". They also refer to it as an OS in the demo video.
IANAL, but here is what I read in their "http://www.ajaxwindows.com/en/privacy.jspprivacy policy":
[snip]
Second, we collect personal and personally identifiable information such as your name, email address, physical address, telephone number, credit card number and information concerning software downloaded, products and content purchased, accessed and/or downloaded through our products and services.
[/snip]
[snip]
Choice/Opt-Out Back to top
We do not disclose an individual customer's personally identifiable information to third parties for third-party direct marketing purposes if we have received and processed a request from that customer not to have his or her personal information shared for this purpose. You may submit this type of opt-out request by sending an email to: information@Ajax13.com with the words "Opt Out" in the subject line, or to the following mailing address: Customer Service, Ajax13, Inc., 5960 Cornerstone Court West, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121. In addition, we also allow you to decide whether you want to receive further marketing information from us. If you do not want Ajax13 to send to you announcements or special offers by email, please email us in the same manner as described above with the word "Remove" in the subject line. Please allow up to two weeks for your request to be processed.
[/snip]
Looks like they can sell your info to spammers unless you opt-out. If you wan't to try them out, do not give them your "good" email address.