Tales from the Techside

Goobuntu Rumors Put to Rest

Earlier today I wrote about rumors that google was going to release an operating system and I also said while I believed this was merely a rumor that it would not be in Google'g best intrest to do so. Google apparently had enough with people asking them what was up and relesed a press statement stating that Google has no plans to release a Google flavored version of the Ubuntu linux client. Though Google did confirm that they do use Ubuntu internally. Oh well guess no cheap Google powered NAS devices anytime soon.

Google denies plans to distribute OS based on Ubuntu

Goobuntu: Google needs to stick to search engines

Like a shotgun blast the releases from Google do not seem to be waning, everything from a search bar, to a welcome to the internet pack (uhmm the jury is out on this one) Google is spreading to every corner of the Internet market. Now if we are to believe the spec piece by the Register Google has its sights on our desktop, not for searching, but to provide its very own brand of operating system. This could and probably is the usual industry gossip but if it is true then Google needs to stop. The main reason I fell in love with Google as a search engine, a service, and company was their unwavering dedication to simplicity.

Their releases up until recently were compliments of the core technology which is their search engine. The search bar a natural extension of the technology, the desktop search again natural extension, Picassa search for photos great, gmail search your email inbox indexed really cool. But then the unrelated releases came such as Google talk (why do I really need a generic IM messenger / generic voip client), and the Google pack again why do I need this, now an operating system.

The question is why I would really want a Google branded Linux based OS when there are so many alternatives. Windows XP is made to be accessible to the masses and though Ubuntu is a great release it fails to reach the level of usability that Windows XP does. Now if Goobuntu is meant to be an extension or replacement for the Google mini or provide server applications and hosting with an integrated search engine technology that could be cool. But aiming for the pc market desktop I think that may be reaching and I would hate to see the innovation, energy, and resources that go into such a release go to waste.

So Google if you are working on such a project then please make it relevant or at least aim it for a niche where the technology and resources could be best utilized. Now using the Goobuntu desktop server to create a quickly searchable highly indexed home network-attached storage (NAS) solution for cheap would be an awesome use of your technology and I would be the first person in line for such a download.

Google at work on desktop Linux | The Register

Future Tech Watch: U3 Smart Drives

A relatively new company called U3 (founded in 2004) has announced an interesting technology that I believe merits keeping an eye on. With several leading manufacturers having signed on board the U3 standard looks like it could possibly be the first industry standard for portable USB smart drives. A U3 enabled drive is identical to a conventional USB storage drives save one noticeable difference a U3 drive comes with several preloaded applications and an application control panel built in.

What does this mean to the average end user? It opens up a world of portability. For example instead of being dependant on having an application at an office when giving a presentation a Salesperson could bring their U3 drive with them and not have to worry if the company had PowerPoint or not.

To me though security is where this technology could take off. From on the fly encryption, biometric controls, portable firewalls, antivirus and security solutions the possibilities for extending personal security are endless. Imagine going to a cybercafé and launching your own secure browser or firewall application. As a security professional I look forward to having all the essential tools of my trade at hand without needing to download them one at a time.

At this point though industry support and buzz for the U3 standard is pretty flat the problem is that it is hard to sell users on spending an additional $50 (U.S) for a USB drive with portable applications. Anyone can go to Google and find plenty of sites linking to free information regarding modified portable applications. I believe though with more people becoming interested in portability though U3 could well be a future standard to keep an eye on.

The value is there time will tell though if this standard will be available in the mainstream or go the way of the Betamax. I for one will look forward to the day I can use my portable Outlook to check my email from a cybercafé behind my portable firewall.

Links:

U3 brings the power of portable software to your USB flash drive - make it a smart drive!.

If you’re an early adopter and have one of these drives already click here to get some software for your drive.

Some commercially available U3 drives (links directly to the U3 drives I shortened the links for formating purposes)

http://www.kingston.com/

http://www.verbatim.com

http://www.memorex.com