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Analysis: Is Google Chrome OS bad for Linux?

Google's new Chrome OS will be based on a Linux kernel, but how will it affect other distributions?

By Nicole Kobie, 9 Jul 2009 at 12:15

But Jump told IT PRO that the Google name won't be enough to convince consumers or retailers. "I don't think the brand name will be enough," she said. "The user interface Linux had wasn't good enough... nor was hardware compatibility good enough."

"Unless they get those two things right, the same thing will happen to [Google] as Linux," she warned.

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5 comments

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Linux Confusion

People just do not understand the concept of "Linux". Linux is purely a kernel, a tool, from which operating systems can be built. This ignorance is confirmed by Gartner analyst Annette Jump who claims that "The user interface Linux had wasn't good enough... nor was hardware compatibility good enough." Linux does not have a user interface and the second part of the statement is pure garbage -- let's talk about drivers and Vista.

She goes on to say: "Unless they get those two things right, the same thing will happen to [Google] as Linux".

We should stop listening to these so-called experts. It really is a case of "X" being the unknown quantity and "spurt" being a drip under pressure. Just put the two together.

Our company has already built it's own Linux-based OS. Yes, it uses a Linux kernel but I bet that the Google OS will look and behave entirely differently. That is the nature of open-source software.

By 6tricky9 on Friday Jul 10

Agree with Linux Confusion

Agree totally with 6tricky9, it's hilarious to read so called tech knowledgable experts totally not get 'Linux'. A Linux distro is the kernel surrounded by a lot of other applications and tools. The correct term for many distros is GNU Linux due to many of the tools origins. Google Chrome will be a 'Linux' distibution, it will feed the kernel improvements it makes back into the main linux kernel tree, linux distro's will only get better as a result and many linux users have prefered distros because they relate specifically to what they need, everyones a winner. And as a long standing linux user (8yrs)I couldn't give a fig if Linux beats Windows to netbooks or any other PC/device.

By dyffy on Friday Jul 10

Linux for the masses

The tech-savvy types who use Linux now are not going to abandon their favorite distros for Chrome en masse. Google isn't looking to take over the open-source market, they're aiming for a wider market. Chrome OS is going to get the kind of promotion that Linux has never had up to now, and will give Linux a huge boost; and you can rest assured that the interface will be totally friendly to Windows users.

By greenknight32 on Friday Jul 10

More M$ FUD from Gartner Group

Of course, any 'analyst' who claims that "The user interface Linux had wasn't good enough.." is clearly either misinformed or speaking from a hidden agenda--but when that person is employed by the Gartner Group, the agenda is not all that hidden, really. All they do is shill for Microsoft.

I think the strategy here is "divide and conquer"--convince Linux geeks who might otherwise be enthusiastic about Chrome that it is somehow a bigger threat to Open Source software than Microsoft. Pure disinformation and rubbish...I, for one, welcome our Googly overlords.

By earthwirehead on Saturday Jul 11

New from Google

Browsers need to be more powerful, more stable and more secure. For this reason, the new Google’s Chrome OS is release. The big news on the software front these days is about the Google operating system that is beginning to debut. It's good to know that you can get the Google operating system without needing <a rev="vote for" title="Google Operating System to Compete With Windows 7" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/Payday-Loans/">payday loans</a> and the unending amount of registration that comes with Microsoft products. The Google operating system is being released as a competitor to Windows 7, and the Google OS, or Chrome OS, bears the same name as the internet browser they released last year, and best of all will be free. It is set to begin debuting on netbooks, and its primary focus is online applications. Press for it has said that they geared it to plug the gaps in internet security of most OS packages.

By EllenV on Monday Jul 13