Google is Working on Their Own Version of Linux?!
According to The Register, Google is working on its own version of of Linux. The Google version is based on the Ubuntu desktop Linux distribution, which itself is based on Debian and the Gnome desktop. At Google, this is known internally as ‘Goobuntu’.
I’m not sure that I’m buying this — it sounds like a wild rumor to me. Why would Google even confirm that they had this project in the works at such an early stage in the game? And really, why would Google even want to get into the OS business? It is no minor undertaking, to say the least. Supporting myriads of software apps, peripherals, drivers, handling security updates, etc. etc….and how does this progress Google’s mission to "organize the world’s data?" You don’t need to be the OS to control the deskop. You just need a sidebar, a toolbar, a desktop search, an email notifier…oh wait, that’s right — Google already has all that. So why bother with the OS? With this one, I’ll believe it when I see it.
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I’m with you on this one Sarah,
I don’t think it would be worth their while going into the OS market, simply because, not enough people would use it.
Linux distributors only keep afloat because of the server market. Linux just isn’t a mass-market home OS just yet.
Google told me (Philipp Lenssen), “We use Ubuntu internally but have no plans to distribute it outside of the company.â€
Well if they were gonna do an OS i think Goobuntu would be probably the best route…basically you have the linux community and ubuntu community to keep the thing upto date and you just add your special tools and google stuff to it. Instead of creating their own “brand new” os. Guess we will have to wait and see.
Jeff
teknokool.net
I know that a lot of their Summer of Code projects were based around making Ubuntu better. This could benefit them if they’re using in internally.
Ubuntu certainly isn’t evil, and low-priced search appliances could get more people online and expand Google’s advertising base.
Probably a wild rumor, but it would be really cool if true.