Pondering about the chromebooks

General Discussions
#1

I just saw a commercial for it, and while it seems all good an fine I see one major hole in it. I really hope there is a way to come around this, but that would be figthing the purpose.
The whole OS is a browser. That’s fine, but what about software? As said in the commercial: You can do everything on the web. That’s only partially true! You don’t find Photosop running somewhere in Flash or Java, do you? Or Sony Vegas? Or 3Ds Max? Or even MS Word? Well, maybe there is some applet-writer that supports the Word-format, but that’s probably the top. What about all the good software? :open_mouth:

I’m aware of some photo-editing software that runs in Flash, but I really doubt it is that advanced. Java, Flash, and Silverlight is the most advanced technoligies right now for the browser, and nobody uses that to power really advanced and expensive software.

  1. They would get a myriad of connections downloading HUGE files every time someone visits.
  2. Costumers can’t work offline.

Chromebook promises no virusses. That means no download aswell to me. Java applets need to download the classes and resources everytime they load right? That’s why most people use a cache, but that’ll be impossible with Chromebooks because of no downloading?

No matter what, this is just protecting the user a little more. We still need servers, and harddisks in them. And they’ll be open for the world to attack and what-not. Not saying they’re to a bigger risk though.

What have I overlooked about this “great” idea?

#2

I already have a Cr-48, the test Chrome OS notebooks Google gave out for testing purposes :slight_smile:

It is mainly for people who’s entire lives are on the web. There are lots of online document editing services, the most notable and popular being Google Docs. It is also possible to download apps, which is why Google also started the Google App Store. On this app store, you can download Flash games, HTML games, and extensions. The only bad thing about this Google Chrome OS, is that Java support is still murky. There isn’t a JVM installed and most likely will not be an “official” one supported by Google :confused:

It is possible to download anything. What they probably meant is that since Chrome OS is Unix, there will be no viruses (for now) that can harm your computer. Plus Chrome has a quite a complex defense and self-checking mechanism where it doesn’t even trust itself.

External hard disks and a few file types will be supported, most notably all the popular image formats, text files, and I believe .doc files will be automatically opened in Google Docs.

The best thing about the Google Chrome OS is that it’s so fast and lightweight. It is best for on-the-go web browsing, checking emails, etc… not for coding, image editing, or other CPU-intensive and external program-dependent activities. Startup time is about 8-12 seconds, sleep and wake-up is 1-2 seconds, and shutdown is 3-5 seconds!

#3

The chromebooks are meant for people who need to browse the web, play flash games, and use Google Docs (which supports Word/Office formats BTW). They are severely limited in what power applications and games can do, but I don’t think Google is worried about that.

I think you’re misunderstanding how they handle no viruses. Linux and Mac can pretty much guarantee no viruses, too, and they let you download. ChromeOS must allow some content because how else would it get the HTML or JavaScript or images needed for basic pages. Flash apps and Java classes fall into this same criteria. Likely you just won’t be able to download large amounts of persistent content onto your computer.

#4

I need to try it actually… OK, so the Chromebooks are not a miracle that will ruin everything about modern computers, and how things are settled now. Good to know.

#5

Agh accidentally clicked “appreciate”, well free appreciation for you :slight_smile:
But no way, this does not replace modern computers, but is trying to replace popular netbook OS’s like Windows 7 and Linux.

#6

There’s a whole new generation that doesn’t use computers like old geeks do. These people only require Facebook, Gmail and playing some flash games. It’s a shame really, computers have been turned from being a learning and experimenting tools for geeks to a simple to use tool for non-geeks.

#7

Yes how sad and true :frowning:

#8

It’s just alternative. Some motherboards already implemented this kind of OS when you boot in 10s and get only a browser has opened to you. I take this OS as solution when I don’t need to boot up hundred MB of Windows into RAM just to check email or post on JGO. Even “normal user” (non-geeks) need still “normal OS” :smiley:

#9

Huh. People actually cold boot often? Crazy!

#10

Hahaha, I don’t remember the last time I cold-booted my Windows 7 computer! :stuck_out_tongue:

#11

Depends on the machine. I have an old hot noisy PC so do cold boot 1-2 times a day is normal for me. Boot up morning, shutdown, go to college, boot up again, shutdown again. :smiley:

#12

And your OS doesn’t support sleep and/or hibernate?

#13

I think the the thing(terminology difference) you were looking for is the difference of 2 type of users

Consumers vs Creators.

Consumers use things like chromebook, ipad, iphone, etc… ( They consume things, the internet, media, email, games, etc…)

Only people like us, who hang out on this board and others, use photoshop, compile code, make sound, make games, do 3D or 2D CGI need the use of more powerful computers.

Although even the “consuming devices” do offer minimal content creation such as, minor video and photo editing(very minor!) and perhaps very minor word composition(writing papers, more then a paragraph)

the VAST majority of the userbase is and always will be consumers.

but anyways…
There are photoshop like tools in applet form (albeit not as powerful as Photoshop / PSP / gimp)
there are 3d modeling tools in applet form (albeit not as powerful as Maya or 3DS MAX)

my 2 cents

#14

The problem is, though, is that Java Applets are still not supported and Google hasn’t really said if they are… :confused:

EDIT: Aha http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2148693/will-chrome-os-support-java-applets

#15

Okay, I just tried Chromium OS today… Wow… It’s so bare! There is litterally NO options, and I think it leaked somewhere, because it only got slower and slower. Bluh. Had hoped for something a little nicer :clue:

#16

Where did you try it?
And of course it’s “bare”, it’s just a browser :stuck_out_tongue:
It’s just like the iPad, except the apps are in Flash or HTML :slight_smile:

#17

It does, it winxp anyway. But since I changed my HD it always crash on wake up :expressionless: The HD suddenly stop and restart so it became cold booting again.

I wonder why they don’t support applet? and why don’t they use android?