Google Chrome OS - An OS for the Internet Age

For a number of years pundits have been discussing whether Google would release an operating system. On the 7th July 2009, Google announced the existence of the Google OS.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks.

From the Google Blog announcement we can glean the following details:

• Linux kernel
• Runs on x86 and ARM
• Uses the Google Web Apps in the Google Chrome browser
  
• New Web Apps are in the pipeline to take advantage of the platform
• Will work best with a persistent internet connection
  

The OS will initially be released on netbooks and Google has been in discussion with a number of vendors including Acer, Asus, HP and Toshiba to release netbooks with the new OS in 2010.

The Google OS will also be open-sourced later this year to allow the community to benefit from the work Google has done.

Is this the Future of Magazines?

The Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine is a new (3 issues published) quarterly magazine published on the internet by a group of Model Railroaders. It is free to download and is supported by advertisers.

The magazine is published as a rich media PDF and includes video clips, audio clips and 3D virtual reality images.

Two versions of the magazine are available each release; a Standard Version and an Embedded Version. The standard version is a smaller download and will work with Adobe Reader 7+. The embedded version is a large download and requires Adobe Reader 9+. The benefit of the embedded version is the inclusion of all the rich media in the download and can therefore be read offline.

Other features of the magazine are:

• Direct links to advertisers websites
• Bill of Materials for projects with links to suppliers
• Access to Premium Bonus Extras for 3 months after Issue Date

The content in the magazine is well presented and is informative. Content includes product reviews, layout visits, how-to articles and editorial columns.

An interesting magazine, very well designed and implemented.