Posted on 09/14/2010 11:53:38 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Could 2010 be Linux' breakout year? Linux is already making huge waves in mobile computing, with the rise of the Android operating system, the momentum behind Meego, a bevy of Linux-powered netbooks, and an army of Linux-toting tablets on the horizon. With Web-based computing becoming the norm, flexible and robust Linux could finally become the OS of choice for device manufacturers.
For over a decade, Linux watchers have predicted that one day the open source operating system will become the dominant player -- and yet that day never seems to arrive. Already, of course, Linux has a very healthy share of the server market and a growing place on the desktop, but it's the rise of Internet-connected devices like smartphones, tablets and netbooks that may finally catapult Linux into the mainstream.
Why? Because users of these convenient, portable devices don't really care what operating system they run, as long as their devices offer downloadable apps and fast access to the Internet. The rise of cloud-based computing, where users access applications via the Web, has also driven an uptake in Linux. Some 80 percent of an average computer user's time is spent within a browser, and if all of your applications and documents are stored online, there is little need to run a huge operating system and install programs locally on your machine.
(Excerpt) Read more at technewsworld.com ...
fyi
Meh. I see Google making a move instead
That's true. If all your application and documents are stored online, your time should be spent with a psychiatrist, not tending your PC.
But the new Google stuff is Linux based, so it’s a distinction without a difference.
I’m a fan of open source but can’t deny that Apple has done pretty damned well by taking a different approach.
So maybe it comes down to the definition of “open”. Apple defines it as an open playing field for app developers and content creators, and then cashes in by being their channel to market via iTunes.
Linux defines “open” more broadly and while it appeals to the inner geek in all of us - do the mass markets care? Or will they still buy an iPhone just because it’s “so cool” and easy to get the apps and content that they want?
Seems to me both will survive and do well, but will appeal to different customer segments.
If your data’s in a cloud then your butt may be in a sling. I’d be wary about what I put “out there.”
The Linux part is okay.
That's funny!! For a minute there I thought I was crazy, or behind the times because I don't do this.
“Linux defines “open” more broadly and while it appeals to the inner geek in all of us - do the mass markets care?”
From what I’ve been hearing & reading, yes. Many app developers are ticked with Apple’s arbitrary approval system & the fact that there is a whole HUGE untapped market that can’t be approached. The Adult Entertainment
Industry.Apple keeps everything at a PG level.
Can you imagine the field day Google would have going through everyone's data? Not to mention that many, many companies think they're being good citizens by turning over data to any government employee on the basis of a mere request, without assuming their bosses (we) want the data kept confidential and insisting the government jump through the hoops put in place to protect our Constitutional rights to our own information.
Oh, and don’t forget risk of data loss and/or dispersion of it in the wild due to a possible bankruptcy of the hosting company, not an unheard-of thing in the tech sector.
Or something as simple as losing interest in continuing to be in the app/data hosting business (although in that case, they’d probably at least give you adequate warning to rescue your data, assuming it can be read with other apps).
And what kernel do you thing Google is using?
I haven’t looked into these services, but are you saying that they actually store your files unencrypted? I mean, encrypted with a key you keep strictly in your possession?
Here I assumed that software on your computer compressed the data to be saved, and then encrypted it before transmission and storage so that it would take NSA or better resources to decrypt it without your key.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
"I mean, not encrypted with a key you keep strictly in your possession?"
Very well indeed. And both Apple's OS X (derived from BSD) and Linux (Android on mobile) are flavors of Unix. There are presently dozens of different versions of Unix. That is one its characteristics: it morphs into many different versions.
Linux defines “open” more broadly and while it appeals to the inner geek in all of us
It is precisely the "openness" of Linux (and its derivative Android) that will allow telephone carries to create their own versions of Android. Android will fragment, just like Unix fragmented into many versions.
Seems to me both will survive and do well, but will appeal to different customer segments.
I think you are right. Both will do well. But iOS (based on Apple's OS X) will not fragment any further because Apple controls it. The Android platform will fragment. Every carrier will add their own branded extensions. And the buying public really won't care as long as the phone gives them a good experience.
Hard disk died in my laptop, so, I downloaded Knoppix latest version and I am running the laptop off of a CD, with a couple of thumbdrives for storage.
It works ok for cruising the net and Open Office stuff.
I would still rather have a hard disk in the beast.
Every one of these devices either is a Linux computer or contains a special purpose Linux computer as part of its systems:
Cloud storage is not so great when the ISP isn’t working.
Ping
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