I am a lover of computing and becoming a big fan of Linux. I stumbled onto this Linux distro and read a lot of reviews calling it the “Google Operation System” – which is wrong. The “g” stands for “green” as in low emissions, cost of ownership and applications. Here is my review!
Information
There really isn’t that much info on this distro other then a few details:
- It’s based on Ubuntu 7.10
- It uses the Enlightenment (DR17) window manager for it’s shell. This reportedly lowers memory usage and CPU speed requirements1 (most Linux distro’s use GNOME or KDE desktop).
The tagline for gOS is “An alternative OS for the masses“. What does mean exactly? I imagine the “masses” refers to most users out there (think non-tech types like your Dad or Grandma).
The Desktop
Upon boot, the user is treated to a bare, but pretty desktop. There is a Google search applet, an analog clock, the computer’s drives and the OS’s primary feature: A Mac-like “Dock”. I actually like the desktop a lot, it’s clean and very easy to navigate! The lack of clutter lets the user do exactly what they want to do, check their email, IM, surf, etc!
gOS is still in the Alpha phase – it works great but I seem to have stumbled onto a little bug: When I single-left-click on the desktop, the context menu opens. It could be a feature, I don’t know! 
The “Dock”
This is were most of the use will take place. On this “dock” are icons linking to various useful Web 2.0 services from Google and a few others. There are icons for Google Docs, Gmail, , YouTube, Meebo, Facebook, Wikipedia and more. In addition, there are some non-Web-based apps, likeFirefox, Skype and Gimp. The way this is all set up, the user won’t really know which of these apps are local or based in “the cloud” (Internet based).
The problem with all of these cloud-based apps is that they all require their own login & authentication (not the case with the Google apps as they all share a login). Although you could set up the same user name & password and tell each to remember you.
The $199 PC
PC manufacturer Everex has started selling the gPC (Green Personal Computer) at Wal-Mart. I think this is a great step forward for Linux – in terms of saturation. This move allows for the “masses” to access the web, write term papers, watch and burn DVD’s and stay in touch with friends cheep and easy – and, because it’s powered by Ubuntu, they’ll have access to thousands of free applications from the Ubuntu repositories!
The thing I don’t really like is that users don’t really know that they’re using Linux – but I guess that doesn’t really matter to them, they just get a working PC for cheep. Plus, they could always reformat later. Though I doubt if the 1.5 GHz, 512 RAM can push the prettiness of Compiz-Fusion…
Support
gOS does have a community and support forum setup. I perused it a bit and there are a ton of n00by user questions, but I guess that’s the point of a support forum, right?!
Download
You can download gOS via torrent, just burn the ISO to a DVD and boot the live CD. You can test drive the OS and/or install it if you wish. Remember, this is Ubuntu Gutsy, so installation should be a breeze! I ran it virtually in Ubuntu using VMWare Server.
Concerns
Being a geek, I’s rather have way more control over my documents and email, but that’s just me. I would rather have local copies of everything so I can back them up myself (and not rely on someone else) but the average Joe may not care. Also, because this OS runs most of it’s apps online, an Internet connection is required. I question whether someone buying a $199 PC from Wal-Mart can afford a monthly broadband connection (of course they could use dial-up, but how rich would their experience be?).
Opinion
I must say that I would rather someone run a full Linux distro. I am a huge believer that you should learn as much as you can about everything – expose yourself to as much as you possibly can so you can be as informed as possible. I think that this OS might be a little too “stupid simple”. Although, I think the PC is a great alternative for someone who wants a PC but can’t really afford one (the least expensive Dell is $349).
Your so called bug is a feature in Enlightenment and most mouse oriented window managers on Linux and Unix, with the exceptions of KWin and Metacity and such.
Is it? So you get contextual menus on both right- and left-click?
hey that looks pretty sweet
looks cool. i got a feeling google might go into OS sometime in the future. maybe they could tie up with linux and provide free OS for our PC.
Also, some Google employees do use a modified version of Ubuntu (among others) internally: Goobuntu. I doubt that Google will release an OS of their own, they already provide enough internet based services (docs, mail, IM) that there isn’t really a reason for them to great their own.
I am waiting for you to change your theme line to “GNU/Linux Tips, Tricks and Hacks.
Like they say “Just do it”. Everyone will follow you and then GNU/ Linux will have a new group of followers.
Saman,
“Masses” now has access to a pretty loaded PC and notebooks with enough memory and CPU speed that gOS doesn’t make sense – well, if that’s the only incentive they are promoting.
I can a get a Dell desktop for about $300 and run Fedora or Suse Linux?!
Thanks for sharing – I didn’t know about gOS.
Usually I’d spare myself all the trouble by paying more but the key word I found there was ‘green’, so that might change my mind if given the option.
from what i’ve seen people on the net are making money nowadays by introducing free products first. just look around everything is ‘free’ yet these free service provider company are still profitable. google has a lot of free application tools and keep creating new one but they are among the richest company in the world. but somehow people need PC to get access to their free tools.
if you look at the PC OS industries Microsoft is the major player. Most of new PC are installed with their paid OS with their MS Outlooks, MS Office and also their search function. Google already has that. so don’t you think they can combine with free Linux OS and bundle their packages in a PC. So no need to install this and install that which sometime could make your PC haywire. they could create new brand PC or they combine with other existing PC maker. All profit oriented company have the ambition to dominate. The more money they got the more eager they want to dominate. So let see what will happen.
Interesting thoughts… While I do agree that having all of your services & apps come from one company would make life easier, that’s certainly not the goal of Linux. Also, I must stress again that this distro is not from Google, they have nothing to do with it (according to them).
Linux is still associated with geeks – it is still difficult to install, manage and use. Windows – expensive, but worth it!
Honestly, Linux is a breeze to install – much easier and quicker then Windows is. As for the easy of use, Linux is simple there too! Installing apps takes just a few clicks (if it’s in a repository, if not, it’s a little harder – but not impossible).
At first, I thought the learning curve for Linux would be really steep, but it really isn’t. Every thing is right were you need it! You should burn a Live CD and give it a try!
That is great. I submitted your story on hugg: hugg.com/node/5005 Now if that will only spur software writers to support that OS as well. I’d love to be able to run anything on Linux that is available for Linux.
Hugg? Wow, it’s amazing where some of your stories will end up!
This distro is really Ubuntu, so any Gnome app should run!
gOS is the free open source operating system from the google ,it is based on Ubuntu 7.10 that is fiesty fawn.With gOS we can get all the google tools there is no need to install google application. This is first step of google into a open source community. I am going to download gOS 1.1 and install it on my system and start playing with gOS
Thanks for such nice info.
Actually, gOS is not from Google! Also, Ubuntu 7.10 is named “Gusty Gibbon” and is the successor to Feisty Fawn. Lastly, there really aren’t too many Google apps that you can download other then Picasa, Google Earth, etc.
Speaking of Google Apps for Linux, you add the Google Repositories to your Source List.
Linux… wow what a turn around!!
Ive used Ubuntu for quite a long time now but I have not been able to get rid of my windows install… there are still some apps for which there is no alternative on Linux… that distro looks quite nice… doubt Ill get round to trying it though… Ill just stick with what I have for now…
Xubuntu is worth a look if your after performance… I quite like that.
Cant believe you can get a PC for $100… the cheapest are a lot more than that here… tho partly due to weak dollar…
Anyway, look forward to your next nix post
I agree with you, there are a few Window’s apps that I just can’t give up, namely iTunes and Dreamweaver.
Dreamweaver… I have that installed but have not used it in a long time… I never found it to good for dynamic sites…
Actually, the past two versions of Dreamweaver were very good at dynamic sites! That’s was I use for all of mine!
Seems like a great option for the people who want a computer, but don’t have a ton of money to spend. It also looks like a good system for those who aren’t that “techy”
Great option as a cheap computer. Go GNU/Linux.
you been tagged.
http://bloggingthemovie.com/nofollow-link-train-contest/
The prefix “g” is the attempt to cash on Google’s name. Most of the people first assumed it to be from Google (unless rectified)… the “Dock” is another step towards it, containing most of Google icons…
I am a Windows devotee but I have become a rather large fan of Linux myself. It’s just not as susceptible and unpredictable as Windows. I’ll have to give this Green OS a look.
Richard´s last blog ..How To Tell If Someone Has Blocked You From Skype
I was wondering when they would start coming out with Linux computers. You would have thought it would have been done by now. At least tried out??
Wow.. linux. That would be awesome! I never seen this in walmart though. When was this?
I guess this computer didn’t do too well, since it’s 3 years later and I’ve never heard about it or seen it : /
A linux PC, that would be FAST! I wonder where you can get one of these, I don’t see them around.
Sweet, looks like a nice computer for being so cheap