talkingDigital

If Chrome can achieve these 10 feats, Google will not only defeat Microsoft, but Apple and Ubuntu will fall as the OS of the common man.

Chrome OS may be the OS that proves that the OS doesn't really matter

1. Instant on – Please power up in well under 30 seconds. There is no reason for an OS build around a browser to do anything less (or more).

2. 512 MB of RAM and 1Ghz processor – Give XP users a reason to skip Vista, Windows 7, etc. and give their old machine new life.

3. Make it USB bootable – Chrome OS could be a truly portable OS. Not only will your information be in the cloud, but a 2GB flash drive could turn all computers into dumb terminals. Find an computer, plug in your flash drive, POOF! your home computer is running in the motel lobby or public library.

4. Market Chrome OS as a 90 percent computer – The worst thing Google could do is  try to make Chrome OS a “do everything” OS. Don’t build it for gaming, video editing, etc. Just make it do what 90 percent of people use their computer for 100 percent of the time.

5. Function over fashion – The beauty of  the Chrome browser is its minimalism. RIM has proved to geeks and non-geeks everywhere that technology that works is better than technology that’s pretty.

6. Don’t try to put it all in the box – The world needs to learn how to download and install drivers. Ethernet drivers are the only hardware drivers that Chrome needs to support during the initial install. All other drivers could be posted in an easily searchable database. A nice side effect of this, might be a desire from companies to create more standardized drivers.

7. Off-site backup – I hate the idea of subscribing to Microsoft Office online, but I would gladly pay $10/month if I had 100 gigs of off-site backup where my entire system could be backed up regularly. Read the rest of this entry →

I am going to make this rant short, but accurate.

The week the Palm Pre was announced, I did what many gadget geeks do, I visited the Sprint Store and asked ********, a girl I have known for a while who happens to work at the local Sprint store when it was coming out and whether they were putting together a waiting list. She assured me they were not and that I would be added to the list when it was created. I got excited.

After making a post about the Pre in February on Facebook, ******** messaged me and told me that the Pre was probably not coming until March but, “ill put ne on hold for you first shipment. rumor is it will launch the last week in march [sic]”

Over the next few months and as late as last week, I visited the Sprint Store and talked to *****, *** and ****** who I know from outside of our Sprint relationship. Each time asking to please put me on a waiting list if one formed. Each assured me that it would happen.

Tonight, I stopped in the Sprint store and when I asked, “What’s new?” I was treated like I was trying to make small talk. “With the Pre, I mean… Is it first come, first serve or invite only?” (****** told me last week it might be invite only and that I would be put on the list)

“We have a waiting list. Do you want to be added to it?” ***** asked. I asked if he was kidding. He assured me he wasn’t.

“How many people are on the list?”

Keep in mind that I have been told that our store may only get six or seven Pres – probably a made up number, but at least it’s a number.

“You’re number 12,” said *****.

I am guessing that the other 11 people must have been put on the list before the Palm Pre was announced.

Over the past six months I have been teased by all my “friends” on Twitter and Facebook about been a Pre fanatic. I have defended Sprint and Palm each on this very blog in addition to numerous threads on Palm and Pre website threads.

I have become the Pre promoter for Western Colorado. Several news sites, blogs and podcasts have asked me to provide my first impressions and reviews of the Pre on release day.

I will be providing those reviews, interviews and guest interviews whether I have the Pre or not. The question is, will I be talking about the Pre, or will I be talking about my experiences of trying to acquire a Pre?

Keep your eyes on PreCentral.net, HelpMeRick.com, DogHouseSystems.com and, of course, talkingDigital.org as well as my Facebook and Twitter feeds to find out.

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