Run Windows in your browser

Well this is just the biggining ... something like cloud computing where we will have all our programs and files stored on some far away server. Just pay and get acces to some programs files etc no need to instal from home... I have that idea few years back and didnt thing that will ever happend but i think it is near... also new google os will go in that direction for sure.... it is a little bit scary... ... and i dont like it ... and ppl wit sclow internet connection will surely hav a problem ..but future is never sure... :)

Hi there
I think this type of implementation is already available and will become more and more so.

It's called CLOUD COMPUTING.

My main problem with this is that it really makes another possibility for "Corporate Greed" to rear its ugly head again.

Once you are basically "hooked" to online OS'es and services then payment will be via content access -- a really nasty possibility which could lead to some really HUGE bills.

In present times with companies desperate to squeeze every last cent, rouble, eurocent, kronor etc etc this will be a temptation too big to resist and everyone will have to pay a LOT more.

Cheers
jimbo

Good Concept. This will take the users not to own anything but connect via a Web browser to do their job.No more wating for new Windows releases and beta testing. :) or leaking of Windows builds. :)

Generator said:

I wouldn't call it a Virtual OS exactly, more of a clever OS mock-up. It's a very good clever idea for a website nether-the-less.

yeah there was even a version of "vista" going around for the psp. All it is is a bunch of html pages linking to each other.

Looks like you can only use it with certain versions of Linux, I have Fedora 10 and I can't get the Linux Moonlight equivalent to run on my box. Really wanted to see it run on my Linux box to see how it performed. I have Fedora 10 because of my Amahi Home Server install. Runs good on all my windows machines but then again, I already have windows running so it seems a bit inane to be testing it there. I do see a real life use in a corporate environment by virtualizing applications and running them on machines with very basic hardware and a basic Windows environment. Would save a bunch on cost and application upgrades.

I wonder if this could be used as an online sandbox? It could be handy for trying out apps from questionable sources before you download them to your own machine... if the bugs will stay in the online os and not follow the data to your pc.

Hi all
I think most people have missed the REAL problem inherent in this type of approach to computing.

We will have to PAY for access to anything -- corporate greed will not go away -- companies are always looking at ways to generate a new revenue stream oreven better a "cash cow".

We can see this happening already -- more and more websites allow you to read a bit of an article and then say you have to "register" i.e PAY to read the rest of the content.

It's been shown that online advertising isn't effective in spite of humungous amounts of dollars being spent -- most users either avoid it or simply go to other sites.

So charge for access is the next little nasty and could be hideously expensive.

Also how do you do your development. You need a local test environment where you can develop your applications without causing problems for other users.

Remote locations such as data and call centres in India are a big enough problem already and these are just restricted to a few large companies -- but imagine the problems if zillions of people world wide using a "Cloud application" that has a defect in it need it fixed quickly.

( ..........The solution is left to the reader to solve......)

Also another scenario.

Imagine if you need to retrieve an important file from an online backup somewhere and your subscription has just run out at the same time as your credit cards are maxed. Imagine its a Friday evening and your pay doesn't hit the bank until Monday (or tuesday if it just happens to be a public holiday weekend).

The Cloud or parts of it might be fine for people in an office network -- but for home users this is NOT a good idea at all.

Cheers
jimbo

stevieray said:

I wonder if this could be used as an online sandbox? It could be handy for trying out apps from questionable sources before you download them to your own machine... if the bugs will stay in the online os and not follow the data to your pc.

Port apps to a Virtual Machine before installing them on a real one.

OK 3D and Video content is still a problem in VM's but the next generation of Virtual Machine software will have this enabled in the Virtual Hardware.

Audio streaming already is not a problem with VM'S.

Cheers
jimbo