Sure, that sounds like a dream come true in the terms of usability, but you know what the first question is that comes to mind to anyone who might want to migrate: "does it run MS Office?", "does it run Quicken", "Deerhunt"!?
It would be great for you and me, but Google would have a hard time getting it through the masses.
I'm sure they didn't develop a UI from scratch just so they can run it with their cluster controlling OS
There are major differences between a desktop OS and a super reliable cluster OS. That is why Linux is a perfectly acceptable OS for clustering, but not so much for the desktop. You don't think that they're loading all the USB, audio, video, modem, NIC drivers or a dozen different CODECs every time a cluster node gets booted up?
Sure, maybe they could put it out and together with Linux and Apple erode some of Microsoft's dominance.
However, it seems to me that the payoff would not be so great in the end. The consumer would just say: "Why would I pay 300 bucks for a GoogleOS, when I can get Windows for 150?" No matter what Google offers, Microsoft can undercut it.
And in the end, Google is for the most part OS independant. Their focus is on using the Web, what could they possibly gain by having the control of the hardware on a user's PC? This way Microsoft has to deal with all the drivers and security issues, Google just rides for free on top of it.
I don't think that the limit is the sky. I think the limit is the fact that Microsoft OS is installed on over 90% of world's desktops. Even Apple is struggling agains Windows and they already have a superior desktop OS, and penetration in audio/video and design markets. Heck, look at even Linux. It's free, it's useable, it's secure. And it took Linux a long time to be considered a viable desktop alternative.
I like Google's services, but I don't think they could pull off a profitable OS.
While I think it's a good idea to add a "simple" feature like that, it might not be useful if the mini is just sitting on the middle shelf of a home theater system.
This is awesome, and I know I may be late in replying to this story, but at the rate we're having breakthroughs in solar energy, in a few years the power will be too cheap to meter!!
The PC is NOT sitting by the TV. The PC is in the PC room. The Airport Express 2 is sitting by the TV. (And Airport Express is about as big as any standard Apple power plugin.)
That's the whole beauty of it -- the PC is wirelessly streaming audio and video to the TV through the proposed Airport Express 2.
One thing nobody seems to be mentioning is that such a box would already have cable running to it. Apple could roll out a service, much like Xbox live, and pump movies on demand down a nice fat cable line.
Oh yeah, I only use windows for games too. And I don't do much of that anymore either.
I dislike the Reboot setup on OS X as well. A friend of mine does the "Force Quit" from the Apple menu and kills it like that and then reboots later. I try not to test my luck in that way.
10.2 to 10.3 was not a minor upgrade. (There's nothing minor about Expose, but if you're not using it it might look just like eye-candy. Also the speed improvements are amazing. There were also over a 100 other features which I can't recall.)
10.3.4 to 10.3.5 is a minor upgrade, and you do get that for free.
I use SP2 at work, and do like it. (And by "like" it, I mean I don't really like it, but it's better than SP1.)
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Don't mistake my sarcasm for flamebait, but does this then mean that ex-commies will have to ferry our capitalist asses to space?
Sure, that sounds like a dream come true in the terms of usability, but you know what the first question is that comes to mind to anyone who might want to migrate: "does it run MS Office?", "does it run Quicken", "Deerhunt"!?
It would be great for you and me, but Google would have a hard time getting it through the masses.
(But here's hoping they try!)
I'm sure they didn't develop a UI from scratch just so they can run it with their cluster controlling OS
There are major differences between a desktop OS and a super reliable cluster OS. That is why Linux is a perfectly acceptable OS for clustering, but not so much for the desktop. You don't think that they're loading all the USB, audio, video, modem, NIC drivers or a dozen different CODECs every time a cluster node gets booted up?
Sure, maybe they could put it out and together with Linux and Apple erode some of Microsoft's dominance.
However, it seems to me that the payoff would not be so great in the end. The consumer would just say: "Why would I pay 300 bucks for a GoogleOS, when I can get Windows for 150?"
No matter what Google offers, Microsoft can undercut it.
And in the end, Google is for the most part OS independant. Their focus is on using the Web, what could they possibly gain by having the control of the hardware on a user's PC? This way Microsoft has to deal with all the drivers and security issues, Google just rides for free on top of it.
Waiter:What'll it be? ...
You: 25,600 possible answers.
Waiter:Come again?
You: About 1,190,000 possible answers.
I don't think that the limit is the sky. I think the limit is the fact that Microsoft OS is installed on over 90% of world's desktops.
Even Apple is struggling agains Windows and they already have a superior desktop OS, and penetration in audio/video and design markets.
Heck, look at even Linux. It's free, it's useable, it's secure. And it took Linux a long time to be considered a viable desktop alternative.
I like Google's services, but I don't think they could pull off a profitable OS.
I think I speak for all of us when I say AWESOME!
Kudos to the hackers though..
While I think it's a good idea to add a "simple" feature like that, it might not be useful if the mini is just sitting on the middle shelf of a home theater system.
For a second there, I thought this was submitted by my boss, to test me, but then I remembered my boss doesn't read Slashdot!
They just talk with sales reps.
hehehe
This is awesome, and I know I may be late in replying to this story, but at the rate we're having breakthroughs in solar energy, in a few years the power will be too cheap to meter!!
The PC is NOT sitting by the TV.
The PC is in the PC room. The Airport Express 2 is sitting by the TV. (And Airport Express is about as big as any standard Apple power plugin.)
That's the whole beauty of it -- the PC is wirelessly streaming audio and video to the TV through the proposed Airport Express 2.
This will give me enough time to send them my registration check!
The consumers?
We're not spoiled with the Windows drivers, but rather with the installation method.
The only thing that gets spoiled from Windows drivers is the OS itself. (You might start noticing blue mold on your monitor every now and then.)
I fail to see what RIAA and MPAA have to do with art.
Joking aside, you're absolutely right.
One thing nobody seems to be mentioning is that such a box would already have cable running to it. Apple could roll out a service, much like Xbox live, and pump movies on demand down a nice fat cable line.
maybe the discovery of the new lithium superlion batteries helps them?
didn't you read about them?
does anyone have any HD solutions for OS X that ignore the flag?
pfft. my new ibook is 10 times faster...
pretty much. slow day at work...
although, i feel bad now that someone has modded me funny on an incorrect posting...
Oh yeah, I only use windows for games too. And I don't do much of that anymore either.
I dislike the Reboot setup on OS X as well. A friend of mine does the "Force Quit" from the Apple menu and kills it like that and then reboots later. I try not to test my luck in that way.
Because we all know how great of a memory and process manager Windows is.
If Windows managed the memory of a robot, then the robot would truly have shit for brains.
10.2 to 10.3 was not a minor upgrade. (There's nothing minor about Expose, but if you're not using it it might look just like eye-candy. Also the speed improvements are amazing. There were also over a 100 other features which I can't recall.)
10.3.4 to 10.3.5 is a minor upgrade, and you do get that for free.
I use SP2 at work, and do like it. (And by "like" it, I mean I don't really like it, but it's better than SP1.)
No offense, but i haven't RTFA since '98.
Now my CPU can slow down if I'm working it too hard.
This has got to be the best idea since hoola-hoops!