Published at LXer:

I just saw the Linux Devices article about the new Google Chrome notebooks, the arrival of which I've been anticipating for about a year. I'd love to get my hands on one of these devices, and through Google's pilot program maybe it'll actually happen.

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I read that, and while I was interested, I just didn't have the motivation necessary to make that my primary OS for a while.

Not keen on "the cloud", don't trust it.

"The Cloud" is no different than the bank. How much can the bank be trusted? Our life savings are in there! For the cloud, its our own work displayed in documents, stored in a situation out of our control. That could get nasty. What is the backup solution? I have to admit to being almost entirely clueless as to how this cloud will work.

Me too. I'd rather have all my stuff here, on my machines, than "out there" somewhere.

The cloud is entirely different than a bank. Banks have a vested interest in keeping your money safe. Google has a vested interest in exploiting your privacy.

If a bank steals your money, you know it (eventually), and your money is gone. If Google steals your data, you still have your data. It is your privacy that is gone and you may or may not know it.

If a bank makes stealing money a practice, they go out of business and probably run afoul of the law. Google makes a business of mining data. You want them to have all of it?

Banks can be trusted as much as Google. Banks can be trusted to accomplish their stated goals: hold your money, pay a little interest, and lend for a profit (at some risk to depositors). Google can be trusted to accomplish their stated goals: mine your data and sell advertising.

Yes, but Google also has a vested interest in bringing FOSS to the masses -- which is why they're creating Chrome Linux (I don't like calling it "Chrome OS" as it is really Linux/X11 with Chrome as a desktop shell) in the first place. If they wanted to create another proprietary OS, they would base it off of one of the BSDs or Darwin, not off of Linux. And even though Linux can also be exploited like that, Google makes every effort to FOSS all the code to anything that isn't a Web app.

Don't worry, Canonical and Red Hat: The reason why I like Google so much is because they have the business muscle to bring Linux to the masses. You guys, however, are still amazing. Why? Because FOSS still is your foundation!

There fixed that for ya.

Just what is that about? Shouldn't you be thankful that Linux in any form is being promoted by a large company? Even if it's Chrome OS with its Web-centric design model, Linux is still Linux no matter what you call it or who distributes it.

I agree.

http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Chrome-OS-C448/
They're doing it, they will force you to store all your data on their servers, where it will be safe, and where they can keep an eye or two on it.

As for banks, I don't trust them either. When I earn money it's not going into a bank.

Google is evil, die Google die !

I'm surprised that you've suspended your normally jaundiced view of all things profit-driven. Google is nothing but a new type of advertising company. Their forays into operating systems (both Android and ChromeOS) are driven entirely by their desire to control the advertising universe, and their use of FOSS is simply an easy and economical way to get that control. Just look at how badly their Android devs have cooperated with the kernel devs.

Yes, but you can opt to ignore those ads, can't you? That's what makes advertising so special compared to simply pricing. You can opt to buy the product advertised, or you can just move on with your life. Unlike price tags, which there's no loophole around.

And besides, as much as I like Google, I like Canonical better.

So you don't mind Google mining your files and tracking your Internet use to give you the best set of ads to ignore?

Didn't I already say that I like Canonical better?

What has Canonical got to do with Google's snooping? Do you mean that it is OK for Google to snoop because Canonical is a "nicer" company?

That attack showed up in the email notification, so yeah, I saw it. A better approach is not making them in the first place.