Google Says Windows is Torturing Users

Ok. And what software do we have outside of Google Docs/Apps?

When you can give me all the hardware support and software I need, then maybe. In the meantime, I don't want to know.

I personally dont need my IT experience dumbed down to whatever level google consider appropriate.

75% convertible? Best joke I ever heard...

He is right though. Engineers, accountants, graphical professionals, academics and so on aren't likely to get their work done with Chrome OS.

However, for a vast majority of employees computing only involves reading mails, writing a report, browsing the web and then maybe a bit of light spreadsheet work. Guess what? Chrome OS does just that.

Yes, Windows is too difficult for average joe, even though it's dumbed down every single release. Chrome OS offers the simplicity that my grandma needs desperately.

Personally I'm a big Linux fan, they don't dumb that down too much. Just look at Ubuntu or Fedora: every bit as user friendly as Windows or even Mac, but safer, faster and more stable. And did I mention it's free?

Laugh or what, but I like managing my stuff on my PC. Chrome OS just ain't gonna work if your internet is down. I don't like being limited either, you'd have to use a online office application to do some simple word processing and Google Docs is the only decent one. You save files on the cloud which I don't feel its safe or secure. Google Admins can access your files if they wanted to. Poor performance with Flash is another thing, Linux (Which is what Chrome OS is based on) has horrendous flash performance. On the same item, I get much lower CPU usage in Windows.

So now the problem with Linux is that the programs don't offer enough compared to Windows, I mean theres no native Windows Live Messenger, Xfire, PC Games etc. If your drivers don't work out of the box, then its a pain trying to work out on how to make it work.

Everything is named too damn complicated for most users, like Gnotes? Why can't it just be Notes? Rhythmbox? Why can't it just be Ubuntu Media Player? Evolution? Why can't it be Email Manager. Its small things like this what adds up and makes Windows so great overall. Don't get me wrong, I love Linux but theres just isn't enough support. If you got every developer from every disto to make ONE single Linux OS, then that would kickass. For now its too widespread, just choosing GUI is a pain. Gnome, KDE, Unity, LXDC, XFCE... Some Linux application are designed for a specific GUI which creates more compability problems. Mac is starting to do what Windows do now, make everything simpler and less choices. Not everyone needs a billion application for Email and another 5 gazillion for media playback.

It seems that this article is no more than him begging to move to Chrome. Its basically saying "Use our product because most things should work" No matter what OS you use they will always need support. Most of the support I have to do is becuase of bad application programming and not the fault of the OS.
With IT security always in the headlines, most compaies, especially larger ones, would not trust google with the security of their data. Where most computers are locked down for security reasons, having the companies documents stored in "The Cloud" would be the first security risk to be removed. Hell we dont even let out 3rd party partners have access to an email address incase they email out company information.

With regards to the article, I think it boils down to software used and customer trust in Google.

What about systems with bespoke systems for order taking, stock control and multi-user access? How does that work on Chrome, RDP? No point when you can have the power of a full system!

@Anthonyla65, few differing opinions on your post really mate.

Flash works 100% fine in my Linux Mint and Puppy environments, CPU usage is "slightly" higher, but there is no noticeable performance issues, maybe your Linux test install was iffy, or you used a LiveCD?

Native Live messenger, AMSN works fine and unless your using things like MSNplus, which begs the question why!, then there is no issues that would be showstoppers. Xfire, I agree, if this was ported It would be good news for Linux gamers, but I don't think this is in their roadmap. There are games for Linux, but compared to Windows it is a tiny portion, but they are there for the occasional gamer and would suffice many a board computer user.

Gnotes, Rhythmbox and Evolution, complicated? Your joking surely! Gnotes is pretty obvious by it's name and icon and no more a daft name than a host of apps for Linux, Mac os and Windows. Evolution may be odd, but the same argument can surely be used for Outlook, why not call it Office mail client? Your arguments apply to almost everyhting and not purely Linux.

Again, gotta disagree on the Window manager, it can be confusing "if" you decide to choose a different one at some point, but most mainstream distros guide you through install and default to one or another and is as easy as installing any app.

I do agree wholly that if a few of the big Linux vendors got together to make a unified one it would be great, but I daresay it won't happen, hey ho.

I'll just clarify I use Windows 7 80% of the time as I'm a gamer primarily, but I do love my Linux installs and bootable distro pen :-)

I think Chrome is just another to the long list of wannabes to take major market share from Windows.

Peace.

I just don't trust Google with my data, not that I would trust cloud BS from apple of msft either. "Cloud" is just a failed attempt at reviving the huge-mainframe-dumb-terminal model that should have been left to rot in the 1970s.

What sort of 'computer management' is needed for day-to-day Windows use? I can't see where it arises but wouldn't do for another OS (without having functionality stripped out - e.g. "tired of worrying about whether your Windows PC can run games? Try new WhateverOS, no worrying because you can't install games!"). Having Windows update look for new drivers and give me the option of installing them sounds better than Google choosing for me.

Rab1d, I'd actually quite like someone to have a go at putting back a huge-mainframe-dumb-terminal model within the office environment - but I agree I'd not trust Google with it as a personal user.

@k1664 - Flash never worked properly on my old Dell Latitude D600 laptop. I tried various distros over last 2 years or so, dozens of flash versions and patches, all browsers and nope. Won't work.

I can watch youtube and iplayer videos on XP running on this laptop with no problems at all, Linux just won't go over 10-15fps on full screen. And that's after hours spent compiling latest versions and fiddling with settings. How is Mr. Average Joe suppose to do all that?

@fishyfish, no, Average Joe is not supposed to do that, but if they were asking my help I would tell them to install Mint which has working flash on all installs I have done bar 1. The one it didn't work on was a laptop for some reason and all I had to do was remove the non-free plugin and install adobes, full HD on youtube and iplayer, this was a mtter of 6 clicks.

Can't understand why in 2 years you have not found 1 distro, browser combo to work but you have definitely been unlucky as any ubuntu derivative makes the install a doddle.

To be honest, as I use Windows 7 mostly I am not a big battler for mass Linux adoption, I just find some of the arguments a little baseless and as most of my average joe user friends ask my help on every little thing anyway I could just as well support them on Linux than Windows :-)

Still a little gobsmacked by this article to be honest, are people really going to give up full control of data to "the cloud"?!? madness.

Peace.

Google are a bit ahead of the curve on this one. People won't get it, and I don't think it will catch on as quickly as they think it will.