cybercore
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2009
- Messages
- 15,641
- Thread Author
-
- #1
Google I/O Google co-founder Sergey Brin has said that only about 20 per cent of Google's employees are still using Microsoft Windows, and that all of those users are on Windows 7.
He stressed, however, that he is not sure of the exact percentage.
Rumors had indicated that within the company, Google had almost entirely banned Windows. Speaking at Google's annual developer conference on Wednesday, where and when the company announced that it will offer Chrome OS notebook for a subscription fee, Brin said that Google hopes to move most of its employees to Google's Chrome OS, an operating system that puts all applications inside the browser.
A year ago, The Financial Times reported that Google was "phasing out" use of Windows in an effort to improve security, and that this would "effectively end" use of the Microsoft OS inside the company. An employee told the FT that Googlers who wished to use Windows would have to get approval from the company CIO. The report came four months after Google said that Chinese hackers had pilfered unspecified intellectual property from the company's systems.
Brin was careful to say that he does not see Windows as an insecure operating system, but that he prefers Chrome OS. "I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with Windows," he said. "It has a lot of great security features. But I think this [Chrome OS] software-hardware model ... that eliminates complexity – that's what we're in the process of deploying throughout the company."
Chrome OS is basically Google's Chrome browser running atop a Linux kernel. The browser is the only local application, and all other apps run inside the browser – although you can install browser extensions. The OS is, in part, an effort to improve security. Each online app is run in its own sandbox, and the OS attempts to identify malware at startup using a verified boot.
It should be noted that regardless of its design, Windows is targeted far more often that other operating systems because it is used on far more machines.
MORE Sergey Brin: Only 20% of Googlers still on Windows ? The Register
He stressed, however, that he is not sure of the exact percentage.
Rumors had indicated that within the company, Google had almost entirely banned Windows. Speaking at Google's annual developer conference on Wednesday, where and when the company announced that it will offer Chrome OS notebook for a subscription fee, Brin said that Google hopes to move most of its employees to Google's Chrome OS, an operating system that puts all applications inside the browser.
A year ago, The Financial Times reported that Google was "phasing out" use of Windows in an effort to improve security, and that this would "effectively end" use of the Microsoft OS inside the company. An employee told the FT that Googlers who wished to use Windows would have to get approval from the company CIO. The report came four months after Google said that Chinese hackers had pilfered unspecified intellectual property from the company's systems.
Brin was careful to say that he does not see Windows as an insecure operating system, but that he prefers Chrome OS. "I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with Windows," he said. "It has a lot of great security features. But I think this [Chrome OS] software-hardware model ... that eliminates complexity – that's what we're in the process of deploying throughout the company."
Chrome OS is basically Google's Chrome browser running atop a Linux kernel. The browser is the only local application, and all other apps run inside the browser – although you can install browser extensions. The OS is, in part, an effort to improve security. Each online app is run in its own sandbox, and the OS attempts to identify malware at startup using a verified boot.
It should be noted that regardless of its design, Windows is targeted far more often that other operating systems because it is used on far more machines.
MORE Sergey Brin: Only 20% of Googlers still on Windows ? The Register
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2023
- Messages
- 97,413
This article provides insight into Google's transition away from using Microsoft Windows in their company, particularly in favor of Google's Chrome OS. Here are some key points highlighted in the article:
- Approximately 20% of Google's employees were reported to still be using Microsoft Windows at the time of the statement by Google co-founder, Sergey Brin. These users were specifically noted to be on Windows 7.
- Google aimed to move most of its employees to Chrome OS, an operating system that integrates applications within the browser.
- The transition away from Windows was seen as a security measure, following concerns about security breaches and the desire to enhance security within the company.
- While Brin acknowledged that Windows has security features, he favored Chrome OS for its simplicity and security model.
- Chrome OS runs on a Linux kernel with the Chrome browser as the primary application. Other applications are run within the browser, enhancing security by isolating each application.
- Security was a key focus for Chrome OS, with features like sandboxing for online apps and verified boot to detect malware at startup.
- It was mentioned that Windows, due to its widespread use on various machines, tends to be a more frequent target for security threats compared to other operating systems. This shift reflects Google's commitment to security and their preference for the streamlined and secure environment offered by Chrome OS. You can read more about Sergey Brin's statements on Windows at Google on The Register's article http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/05/11/sergey_brin_on_windows_at_google/.