Reinventing the Operating System

Most software is going to be on the web in 20 years, if not sooner. The model makes far more sense that the model we have today. We will all rent software one day, coming full circle from the early days of computing. Always-on internet at high speeds is not far off, and technologically feasible...... yet 98% of computers are slaves to Bill Gates' OS? ...it will be a longer term transition, but I believe eventually we will be securely connected to the net and "rent" software, and someone like Google will step in and reinvent the operating system for these reasons. It makes too much sense for the consumer and the developer.

Most computers are used for 2 things: 1. email + 2. finding info on the web. Long-term, I am hopeful and eager to see software make a big move towards mostly-on-the-web paradigm... i.e. seeing someone like Google work with an open source community like Linux to develop a scaled down operating system that was based upon: 1. security and 2. interacting with server software. I believe this will happen.

While Windows was a blessing at one time (not having to write software for multiple OS's) it is now overkill in most cases. When speeds get increased on the internet, application developers only need to write software for 1 thing --- the browser. Interfaces can take on many forms with the capability of FLASH (and AJAX) to richly customize the interface into any imaginable possibility, and interact with server-side code.

The potential merger of Google + ADBE + MACR could create a paradigm that will be positive for consumers & developers, and be revolutionary in the software world.

-Mark Holton

Adobe/Macromedia vs. Microsoft

Microsoft is behind in search, as far as technology is concerned, they are behind in programming for the web. Macromedia's ColdFusion MX is so far ahead of .NET in terms of ease of use as a programmer.

It is my hope that Microsoft does not win this battle with Adobe/Macromedia over the long term, as Macromedia has shown they can make very user friendly and robust tools for the creating on the web. A healthy competition here would be great.

"Adobe System Inc.'s (ADBE) proposed merger with Macromedia Inc. (MACR) (MACR) appears
to be creating the potential for a new clash with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT), CNet
reports. Microsoft's (MSFT) release last week of its Acrylic graphic-design software
and its demonstration of the new Metro document software could start a new turf
war between the two companies. Adobe's acquisition of Macromedia (MACR) and its popular
Flash software creates a big target for Microsoft (MSFT), News.com reports. (MGB) http:
//news.com.com/Microsoft+and+Adobe+to+square+off/2100-1012_3-5751793.html?tag=
nefd.pop"

Google and FireFox SPECULATION ON "GBUY" EXTENSION

It would be a foolish political move to alienate the open source fanatics... and Google is not foolish. The media often times lacks a real clue -- they take the easy assumption that they're hiring browser guys to create a browser. No thought or knowledge goes into that assumption.

Since Google is not going to make any money on a free browser, why reinvent the wheel? This makes it a foolish business assumption on top of a foolish political move.

But if Google can PARTNER with a pool of fanatical and talented developers, then they have free labor and much more importantly MOMENTUM. Plus these FireFox guys admit to media they will be working for FireFox at the same time. All signs point to partnership.

While Microsoft has market dominance with IE, there is no way that Google would ever approach them with regards to partnership, as they are a clear competitor in search, albeit a VERY WEAK competitor in terms of the technology. Ironically, Microsoft just released its weak and very late search technology today. However inferior, Microsoft has substantial cash flow and means, and have proven they enjoy taking over ideas which are in their sphere of influence, and having browser market dominance gives them leverage Google wouldn't want. FireFox is the perfect choice because it has momentum and is frankly a superior browser technology. (If you haven't tried FireFox, download and try printing a webpage from both, as one of many examples... not to mention the tabbed format FireFox has, the many extensions, etc)

THEORY: It is my speculation and theory that Google is working with the FireFox experts to create a "Killer Extension". (replacing the Killer App) Now, what extension could Google charge a small fee for or a small % fee for that would make it ubiquitous and worth their while to pursue? A company with this wide of a scope doesn't look for niche applications, they look to change the world. What does Google do best -- search for text, products, and services, right? Perhaps they could team with FireFox and create a killer extension that had functionality similar to EBAY but was on everyone's browser? I'll coin the term "GBUY" to go along with their recent GMAIL naming convention. Since Google already dominates search, they could then continue leverage their search position to dominate the commerce through which many internet items were purchased. GBUY could provide a service to not only consumers, but also vendors making it easier to setup and transact all type of business over the web. They already have AdWords which accepts payments from Vendors on a per-click basis, and they already have AdSense which delivers payments to millions of website owners. The payment infrastructure is essentially there, and as everyone knows, the search dominance and capabilities continue to expand (see Google TV, Google Images, Froogle, et al).

Instictively, this might be the clue that shows Google going after such a market and that something is there. You heard it here first.

Holts

FireFox Programmer Hired at Google

http://www.cooltechzone.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=956
http://www.webpronews.com/news/ebusinessnews/wpn-45-20050125AfireFOXintheGoogleHenHouse.html

RavDeep and Rich,

I enjoyed reading your article. However, I personally think the
article's position is off the mark with regards to Google creating
their own browser. Just because something is relatively easy
(creating a browser, or buying out an open-source browser creating company), this doesn't mean that it should be done.

While Google's search engine will definitely clash with many of
Microsoft's markets, Google doesn't want to alienate Firefox users, or
that community. They want to work with FireFox to extend their search
technology's market share. Microsoft is a giant beaurocracy that
slows the pace of Google's innovation. To wait for IE is
innefficient. FireFox, on the other hand, is very agile given their
pool of passionate, open source developers. It also has a tremendous
amount of momentum. For Google to create a browser on their own would
be counterproductive, when they can partner with FireFox and both will
win.

Sincerely
Mark Holton

Welcome and "Mobile Google" idea

I thought this was a better forum to air my thoughts that weren't apprpriate for emails, yet I had to unload. I'll hit the ground running and post one right now...

Mobile Google and Mobile Software Development thoughts

You know how Google's Adwords, and the "Google-bot" has reshaped the web (not to mention raised 1.2 billion in a recent IPO)? Besides the search engine's proficiency, this has also happened because of the success of AdWords, including the use of blogs which generate content, links, traffic... for display more ads.

Someone is going to step in within the next 3-5 years and do the same thing with wireless and mobile technology. For example... there will be a similar "Google-bot" spidering cell phone text messages the same way the bot automatically hits gmail messages... and based on one's SMS/text messages and the internet sites hit by someone's mobile phone a new company could serve up Cost-Per-Click ads that matched that user's interest. A company or the industry itself could dervive a way to determine if a cell phone hit a standard web, and or a mobile web page. It would not be intrusive, and would be anonymous, and would only point you to sites that you have "expressed" an interest in (i.e. by visiting, or through the text in your text messages). Only it will be on Mobile Technology such as cell phones, Pocket PC's, tablet PC's and PDA's (which will no doubt be connected to the web sooner rather than later.) Just like Google can now recommend restaurants, hotels, etc or at least point you towards one in your area, the mobile Search Engine will do the same. Eventually in 20+ years, they will converge, but there will be a time for a company to step in and dominate this market like Google did with their search engine. It might even be Google themself.

Mobile software development is the next big thing. Broadband internet users are increasing, memory is getting cheaper and better performing, processors are getting faster... all of this makes mobile devices increasingly more capable. There will be significant leaps in the amount of broadband users as government on the city and local level (in the US and elsewhere) invest in broadband technologies to stimulate their economies. Within 8 years, highspeed wireless internet will be ubiquitous, and cell phones, Pocket PC's, tablet PC's, all computers and most TV's will be wired (finally!). Software technologies like ColdFusion will make it increasingly easier for developers to make SECURE and ROBUST code on internet and mobile devices that share data in controlled formats with other mobilie devices and central servers. The opportunities lie in creative application development that fill various consumer and business market needs, and software development technologies that are enabling.

...that's just my opinion in 20 minutes or less.