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Chrome OS, Present and Future
Many readers are submitting stories related to Google Chrome OS. ruphus13 points out a GigaOm opinion piece about how, if users end up rejecting its current cloud-only focus, the nascent OS may succeed as a netbook secondary operating system alongside Windows (in company with secondaries based on other Linux flavors, including Android). Engadget reviews a Chrome OS on a USB key setup that is claimed to offer eye-opening performance compared to running under virtualization. And an anonymous reader notes the 0.1 beta release of ChromeShell, which installs a "Chrome OS-like" environment that boots to the Chrome browser in ~3 seconds; users can switch to Windows later as desired.
Am I the only one wondering why you guys think Chrome is so interesting? Really, I doubt they could change one of its fonts without it making headline news around here.
Every time this speed comparison between Linux and Windows is done, it is done on newly installed systems. My experience is that after six months of running by a regular (read non technical) user, the windows system will be bogged down by all kinds of crap that make it unbearably slow.
After six months of use, it seems a safe bet the chrome OS computer will run at the same speed as the first day. After a year, the windows user will need to find someone that reinstalls his system or at least cleans it up a bit. The chrome OS user will not have noticed any problem whatsoever.
No viruses, no trojans, no crapware, no slowing down with use, no windows registry, no backups to care about. That is very convenient for your regular user.
Also consider that this is a netbook operating system. For most people needing a full desktop experience a netbook is not enough anyway (too small keyboard, too small screen), so why bothering running Windows on an underpowered box? what people will do is keeping a desktop and a netbook. The netbook will be used to book movie tickets, read the news, check email, watch news...(you don't want to wait for four minutes for windows to start just to check your email). The desktop will be used for word processing, games, work applications (if they do not run in a browser), power users, programming, design, egineering...
With arm netbook prices between 100 and 200 bucks, the netbook is a no brainer.
When his defense asked, "Which computer has Jon Johansen trespassed upon?" the answer was: "His own."
So you've surveyed most users and have the evidence to make that statement? If what you say is true, why isn't the world just running Linux and a web browser on everything?