Google's Chrome OS (operating system)

DearREADERS,
For non-genealogy techie news, Ol' Myrt here subscribes to ZDnet's blog. Of recent note is something Dick Eastman also discussed briefly in Google announces Chromes OS. If you'd like to read up on the proposed new OS (operating system) see:

• Google goes after Windows with launch of Chrome OS Sam Diaz writes: Google says it will launch a computer operating system that initially will target netbooks by offering a faster, better and more secure way for users to access Web-based applications.
• With the Chrome OS, Google's software stack is revealed; Shrapnel everywhere
• Google Chrome OS is a game changer
• Dennis Howlett: Why Chrome OS is no threat to Windows
• Phil Wainewright: Microsoft, hoist by a Chrome petard
• Google Chrome OS : 'It should just work'

Years of frustrations with various incarnations of the Windows operating system, from our friends at Microsoft, have encouraged some genealogists to move to the Mac platform, despite the fact that the majority of genealogy software programs are available only in the Windows format. Running the Linux OS instead of Windows is certainly an option as many of my DearREADERS have pointed out.

The Google Chrome OS project looks like it will focus, at least initially, on netbooks.

What are netbooks?

WikiPedia explains "The word netbook is a portmanteau of the words Internet and notebook."

They are those tiny but wonderful laptop computers like my 2008 Legacy Family Tree Cruise roomie Eileen and her best friend Patty used while traveling the Baltic. This year at the NGS Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, I roomed with UGA (Utah Genealogical Association) president Luana, who had one that her kids had given her for Mother's Day. Looking at these netbooks up close and personal, I see that they are useful and very portable tools. Ol' Myrt here is beginning to realize that except for the small screen and only passable keyboard size, netbooks are perhaps the wave of the future for traveling genealogists.

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com