Google Chrome copying Microsoft’s early Windows strategy
September 4, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Looks like Bob Walsh at “Webware” sees what I’m seeing.
His quote: “Chrome is to current browsers what Windows was to DOS”.
Of course Microsoft wasn’t calling Windows an “operating system” back then.
They called it an “Operating Environment”….hmmm….sounds like Chrome.
Bob’s article is here:
http://news.cnet.com/webware/?tag=bc
Popular Windows 1.0 video with Steve Ballmer from Microsoft.
(Windows image by Microsoft)
Top Secret Plans for the Google Chrome Browser
September 3, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
After pressure and the mention of Microsoft during the Sept 2, 2008 press conference, Google finally capitulated and gave up their top secret plans for Chrome.
Their explanation?
Google gets to all of their users through a browser. It’s an important part of their ecosystem.
Given that most users think the web is synonymous with Internet Explorer, the competing product given away on almost every computer for free, Google wanted to stimulate competition and help keep the browser ecosystem vibrant.
The more people are using the web and the Internet, the better Google’s business. In other words, any improvement in browsers is good for Google.
If the browser is faster, and people can get in 20% more browsing each day, plus the proportional amount of additional searching, Google wins.
Finally most people don’t know they have a choice of browsers and Google wanted to have a voice in the process.
Sounds good in theory….I still think the fact that most of Google’s business funnels through Internet Explorer is a scary proposition for Google.
Anyone else remember the rumors (and fact?) of Microsoft intentionally sabotaging applications running on DOS/Windows? (if you’ve forgotten…check out this article http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_incompatibility/)
“Is Chrome an operating system for web apps?”
September 3, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
I was expecting more people to pop online with details and thoughts about what was talked about in yesterday’s press conference on Chrome.
One particular question that was asked “Is Chrome an operating system for web apps?”
Google’s answer?
(paraphrased)
“No, it is a basic fast engine to run webapps, suited for a greater and greater sophistication of web apps that are coming.
It’s difficult right now to do sophisticated web apps, Chrome will allow us to do them going forward.”
If drop the word “web” from that answer, wouldn’t the same hold true for doing graphics based mouse controlled applications in Windows versus DOS?
Hmmm…Windows didn’t start out as an operating system either…it was a graphic interface on top of DOS….
