neuron - 11:07 am on May 2, 2004 (gmt 0)

The google OS will be a throwback to the early days of computers, where it was thought there would be one huge central computer which would be accessed by dispersed terminals.

Imagine a PC that would allow you to log into your "account" from any browser. There, your hoarde of files, email, software, photos and whatever else you decided to contribute would be waiting for you to work with, to do whatever it is you do with your data. Built on a Kazaa-type every client is a server data distribution, you might be able to commit a certain amount of hard drive on your own system that would give you roaming storage on other systems, you could have massive amounts of data available to you from anywhere in the world, and no one could stop you from accessing your data through a secure channel, and when you closed your session, you would no longer have that data on your person and it would all be securely stored away from your person.

I don't think it's an issue of will it happen, just a matter of when. I think google is in the best position to take advantage, to be there for the transition. M$ is becomming a juggernaut and will grow more sluggish over time as a victim of its own entrenched code distribution. Google has no such weights holding it back.

The implementation of the internet in other countries, particularly in asia, is quite a bit difference than what we americans experience, where most of us have PCs in our offices and homes. In China and other nearby countries, most people don't have their own PCs and so there are many internet-type cafes where people can access the internet. Already, many, many people in these countries store large amounts of information online and access it and manipulate it in an online environment. Some governments, like China, which seems to like to play an active role in monitoring content accessed by its citizens, may largely be responsible for this implementation or it could simply be passed off as a culteral heritage. I dont know. What I do know is that this has been coming for some time now and google is about to make off with the basket, the baby and the fried chicken. Don't think it's some surprise and remember where you heard it first.