"Earlier this week Everex launched the gPC TC2502, which is a sub-USD 200 PC sold at a major US retailer, but what makes this unique is that it runs the gOS. The gOS (GreenOS) is designed to be a conceptual Google Operating System that is based upon Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon. Though this is not the conventional GNOME desktop environment but an Enlightenment E17 desktop is used that is heavily modified and reflects a green Google theme. The gOS provides easy access to Google services such as YouTube, Google Product Search, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. Also a click away are other web services such as Wikipedia and Facebook. This isn't a pure Internet desktop but Xine, Skype, OpenOffice.org, and other applications are available for this Linux LiveCD. We've been trying the gOS out for a while and it's a rather nice slim desktop Linux distribution that would be perfect for Internet cafes and other public places." More screenshots.
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Member since:2005-07-24
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Stop being an idiot
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The end users don't care how you wrap Linux, until it has the level of hardware and software support as Windows, its not going to go anywhere near the desktop.
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Stop being an idiot. ;-)
Home users != The Desktop
Linux's next frontier is the business desktop, where it works quite well. As an administrator of Linux business desktops, I can speak from experience. The challenges are different. Hardware and software support are factors. But it makes a huge difference whether you have a hundred desktop boxes being administered by one skilled admin, or Joe (I'm so computer illiterate... tee hee!) Stupid administering his home botnet node^W^WPC.
It helps if one is willing to compromise a bit. Crossoever Office running IE, deployed in a small number of strategic locations, goes a long way towards fulling in the gaps which are left. And if I have to deploy the occasional Windows box for a special purpose app here and there, that's really not so bad, since they are still running a Linux desktop via NX.
Member since:2005-11-02
The end users don't care how you wrap Linux, until it has the level of hardware and software support as Windows, its not going to go anywhere near the desktop. Either face reality and fix up the, quite frankly, garbage opensource applications or admit defeat and hand the market to Microsoft.
You just don't get it. The gPC surfs the web with a better interface to all of Google's tools than Win out of the box, has a powerful Office Suite included. Plays movies on DVD and MP3's out of the box. For most home users that is everything they want. You just have to make sure you tell them it won't run the latest Windows games - for some home users that's an advantage. Keeps the kids from wasting their time on your computer.
Actually the gPC sounds like it provides a better out of the box experience than a cheap Windows Vista Home basic system costing a lot more.
Member since:2007-01-22
"The end users don't care how you wrap Linux, until it has the level of hardware and software support as Windows, its not going to go anywhere near the desktop. Either face reality and fix up the, quite frankly, garbage opensource applications or admit defeat and hand the market to Microsoft."
or do what Apple has done
Member since:2005-07-06
You're right. There is nothing stopping, however, someone from grabbing an operating system - lets say Solaris. Have a machine with Intel x3100 + CPU etc. Grab the OS, integrate a desktop, lets say GNOME, heavily with the operating system - to the point that it is actually one and the same.
From there, create a good selection of middleware. Create an iLife and iWorks package. Work WITH hardware companies rather than announcing jihads against companies who aren't willing to opensource drivers. Work WITH middleware companies to get their applications working on your operating system - if it means slipping a few bucks under the table, then do it.
People sit around thinking that making a workable alternative to Windows as some sort of thing akin to landing a man on mars. Its not that hard. The problem is that every time someone comes up with a '*NIX for the masses' (outside of Apple), its either run by an out of touch geek who has no grounding in reality or some MBA wizzkid who is amazed at the most minor enhancements - declaring every alpha/beta a 'Windows killer'.
Edited 2007-11-04 16:32
Member since:2005-07-06
Stop being an idiot; here is Joe average; Joe average takes home the computer, he has some games and applications he wants to load on. The don't work. Sends the computer back to the store because it is 'broken'.
Sounds like Joe is broken. Short of genetic engineering, I don't think we can do anything about that.
The end users don't care how you wrap Linux, until it has the level of hardware and software support as Windows, its not going to go anywhere near the desktop. Either face reality and fix up the, quite frankly, garbage opensource applications or admit defeat and hand the market to Microsoft.
I don't think hardware support is relevant here. The box comes pre-configured with the operating system.
As to "software support", the relationship is backwards. The operating system doesn't support the software, the software supports the operating system. If the vendor for the software package won't port to Linux/BSD, it's not some technical deficiency on their part.
In any case, this product would work perfectly fine in the role the article suggests.
Member since:
2005-07-06
Stop being an idiot; here is Joe average; Joe average takes home the computer, he has some games and applications he wants to load on. The don't work. Sends the computer back to the store because it is 'broken'.
The end users don't care how you wrap Linux, until it has the level of hardware and software support as Windows, its not going to go anywhere near the desktop. Either face reality and fix up the, quite frankly, garbage opensource applications or admit defeat and hand the market to Microsoft.