zaiblog | Google Linux: Soon?

Google Linux: Soon?

Many users and communities are looking for alternatives these days. They (we) want smarter, cheaper, safer and faster software. Linux has always been the ideal platform for these kinds of things and Linux is also a staple food for servers and clusters. But then again, over these years and despite Linux’s increasing market share and low-cost, most users still prefer Windows or Mac.

Maybe because Linux is a bit hard to use especially for the casual user, however there’s already Ubuntu which I believe is easier to use than Windows XP, so that’s already a good start. Next is support for games and drivers are a bit iffy and things are quite hard to install or configure at times. Though generally speaking, it seems the main puzzle with Linux is there’s too much flavours to choose from.

Somehow, somewhere, there has to be some sort of unity or “bigger fusion” in order for Linux to prosper more. Try to ask some computing/IT/tech community or even your friendly “computer guy” regarding the topic, perhaps the most common answer would be: if there’s anyone who can take on Microsoft, it has to be Google.

Google recently launched their Linux-based mobile platform called Android. Most geeks believe Android doubles as Google’s “training camp” for a “bigger” Linux-based operating system and then they will enter the desktop platform within the coming years. Google is also very enthusiastic with Linux because 1) its well-established 2) open source and possibly 3) most programmers and geeks are fluent with it. It’s just a matter of repackaging, polishing, streamlining, etc. to make it work better for the mainstream audience. Dell and HP are already selling PCs with bundled Linux. That’s already a bit of proof that manufacturers are also willing to cooperate for better options and variety.

From some news a few months back, the venue for the first conference of the Linux Foundation (with members such as IBM, Nokia, Oracle, Dell, Intel, NEC, HP, Fujitsu, AMD, Sun Microsystems, Toshiba, Red Hat, Alcatel-Lucent and the list goes on) was hosted by Google.

According to Wikipedia: The Linux Foundation (LF) is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007 by the merger of the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and the Free Standards Group (FSG), it sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading GNU/Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects, and standardizes GNU/Linux by providing unified resources and services needed for open source to successfully compete with closed platforms. It is an organization which “accelerates the growth of GNU/Linux by providing a comprehensive set of services to compete effectively with closed platforms.”

That’s another verification that something big is in the works. Are they planning a big move on Microsoft? Hhmmm… The plot thickens.