Google Chrome OS (Operating System)

8 July 2009 Geoff Zeiss
Many people have been expecting a Google OS since the Google Chrome browser was released.  I still use Firefox most of the time, but am finding Chrome increasingly attractive because of performance and stability. In particular I like that each panel is a separate process, so you can shut a hung panel down without shutting the entire browser down.  In June according to Net Applications, the market share breakdown was as follows:
  • Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 65.64%
  • Firefox 22.14%
  • Safari 9.01%
  • Chrome 2.01%
Quite respectable market share for a 9 month old browser.

According to the Google Blog the Google Chrome OS is a light weight, open source operating system initially targeted on netbooks.  I’ve blogged several times about what companies are doing to reduce the time you wait while your computer is booting.  Google appears to be putting a lot of effort into addressing this problem. Chrome OS is designed to be lightweight for rapid booting so that you will be able to be on the web within seconds of turning your netbook on.  It will run on x86 as well as ARM processors and will use a Linux kernel.  Also it will have a completely redesigned security layer to minimize issues with viruses and other malware. Netbooks running Chrome OS are expected to be available in the second half of 2010.

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss has more than 20 years experience in the geospatial software industry and 15 years experience developing enterprise geospatial solutions for the utilities, communications, and public works industries. His particular interests include the convergence of BIM, CAD, geospatial, and 3D. In recognition of his efforts to evangelize geospatial in vertical industries such as utilities and construction, Geoff received the Geospatial Ambassador Award at Geospatial World Forum 2014. Currently Geoff is Principal at Between the Poles, a thought leadership consulting firm. From 2001 to 2012 Geoff was Director of Utility Industry Program at Autodesk Inc, where he was responsible for thought leadership for the utility industry program. From 1999 to 2001 he was Director of Enterprise Software Development at Autodesk. He received one of ten annual global technology awards in 2004 from Oracle Corporation for technical innovation and leadership in the use of Oracle. Prior to Autodesk Geoff was Director of Product Development at VISION* Solutions. VISION* Solutions is credited with pioneering relational spatial data management, CAD/GIS integration, and long transactions (data versioning) in the utility, communications, and public works industries. Geoff is a frequent speaker at geospatial and utility events around the world including Geospatial World Forum, Where 2.0, MundoGeo Connect (Brazil), Middle East Spatial Geospatial Forum, India Geospatial Forum, Location Intelligence, Asia Geospatial Forum, and GITA events in US, Japan and Australia. Geoff received Speaker Excellence Awards at GITA 2007-2009.

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