Google Chrome OS- a different ball game

Google Chrome OS is making waves in the both technical and business community. Released for the developers in last week , there is different types of views about this new Google operating system.Some feel that its just another Linux clone and some feel it will great threat to the MS Windows. But the Google Chrome OS targets a very different Kind of market and users.

Cheap Devices to Connect to Internet

There are some of the users who primary use the system just as a gateway to connect to the Internet. Netbooks are one of this type. But the prices of the netbook relatively high because of two reasons

1. The standard hardware which cost a lot , but used less often Ex: Hard disk space, Graphic cards etc
2. Operating system and other software costs which are primary not useful in Net books Ex:Licencing for Windows Operating system , Microsoft Office etc

But Google Chrome promises to change all this . It doesn't uses the bulky hard disks since all the data will be stored in Cloud . It doesn't comes with any OS licences since Google Chrome OS is an open source and free Operating system.So the devices running Chrome OS will relatively cheaper which gives option to buy theses devices for accessing Internet services

More People means More space to sell Ads

Cheap devices bring more users to the Internet. It will give the Google an opportunity to target their ads to more people . Even they can display the ads in the application inside the Chrome OS. This is where all the business comes from .

Not an Windows replacement , but tries to make Windows obsolete

Google chrome OS is not a Windows replace. It never intended to be . But its primarily focus to make windows obsolete and give the end users to an truly alternative.No more users to depend upon the bulky Windows or less user friendly Linux just to run the browser.

In future we can see more devices running Chrome OS , which will be very cheap and light weight.

So do you think Chrome holds the future?

P. S If you are interested in testing Chrome OS , download VMWare image from here

Introduction to Cloud computing

It is the first article of cloud computing series “Cloud computing – Not only for big boys"

Cloud computing is every where . You can read or see hundreds of articles written about it . But most of them are more focused on technical and buisness details. This series takes a diffrent approach . We try to present the cloud computing in a simple , realastic and in end user point of view.

Rather than explaining what the cloud computing all about, I will try to answer the some of intresting questions I face when I talk about cloud computing.

1. Can you explain simply what is cloud computing all about (Other than what i read in Wikipedia)?

In simple terms cloud computing is “some one do the all job for you ...Just pay him as you use his service “.

Everything is service in cloud computing . You just pay for what you use.

2. What is cloud doing in computers?

Cloud is a methphor for the Internet. Since all the services are delivered over internet

we call this type of computing as cloud computing.

3. Is cloud computing is ground breaking technical revolution of this century?

No. Cloud computing is a not a new techonology revolution. It just using existing technologies in diffrent ways .Thats it.

4. Why there is so much buzz around the cloud computing these days?

There are two reasons for that

1. Cheap Internet access, increasing use of notebooks and smart phones, increased usage of Internet
2. Backing by big companies like Google , Amazon . When big companies talk it makes a lot of noise.

5. Is cloud computing related to satellites?

No. It has nothing to do with satellites.

6. Am I using cloud computing?

Yes. If you are using email,chating or other services over internet you are already using cloud computing

7.If cloud computing is all about Internet , then what is new in it?

The main diffrence in cloud computing is the business model. In earlier we purchased the software and bought its licence,update for patches, upgraded the hardware when the application wanted more etc ...But in cloud computing no more installations, maintance or updating. All are done by the cloud providers . Even you don't buy a licence . You pay for in subscription basis .

8 .Can you give an example of new business model?

If you want to use Microsoft Office first you have to buy the licence and install it on your system and keep updating...License may expire for 1 or two years.

But if you want use Google Docs (a cloud computing word processing suite ) you just subscribe for the serive and pay $50 for one year for one user

So tell us what you think about cloud computing......