"For the purpose of this article, just like the first one, a WebOS is defined as virtual operating system that runs in a web browser environement. Don't like WebOS? Well, call it OnlineOS, or WebTop if you like. So, here is a review of another 10 functional WebOS', as well as some additional similar services which show promise but aren't launched or fully realized yet." More here.
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Member since:2005-07-06
Sadly, we'll have to go through this period of uselessness to weed out the pointless implementations. Over a period of time, the purposefullness will eventually come out, but only after the "market" has been saturated with crap.
No one actually knows what purpose it will serve and serve well yet.
Member since:2005-11-10
My goat with them is the thought of the sheer number of CPU cycles needed, just to drive a simple clock.
First the Javascript has to go through the Javascript interpreter, which then goes through the browser engine, which goes through the OS rendering engine, which goes through the kernel, which goes through the drivers, which then goes through the CPU.
Potentially millions of assembly instructions just to tell you the time. And some people wonder why software is slow - no wonder with developers who think this is a good design model.
Member since:2005-12-15
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-05-18
Well ... surprise, surprise
http://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/jpc/Demo.html
Just type:
C:
cd prince
prince
(java required)
Member since:2007-03-24
This "Webos" crazy trend will fade out soon I guess. It's just ridiculous. "Where can I download an nVidia driver for YouOS?" Ah ah!
It is so high-level that it is as slow and non-functional as Yahoo!Mail Beta version that uses tons of Ajax to the point of the browser using 90% CPU. It is also using a set of technologies that are not suitable for desktop applications (HTML, Javascript). For instance, why am I able to select the text of window titles?! I'll pass on that, it's a toy.
Member since:
2005-11-10
So how long until we're running a web OS, inside a Java browser, inside a browser, in Windows, in Parallels on a Mac?
The lack of defined market will mean most of these "OS"es (I use that term very lightly) will simply fade away, like entirely javascript sites did in 1997.
The only possible use for a Web-OS would be on a thin client, booting only a web browser in fullscreen and connecting to an enterprise Intranet. - And even then, why so much effort when you actual OS already offers more than any ridiculously high-level OS could.