Linux Reaction Mixed to Google's New Chrome OS - Page 2

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OpenSUSE's Brockmeier said that while he sees Chrome OS as a competitor -- in the sense that users and contributors will have another option from which to choose -- he added that competition in the Linux space isn't one-sided, with the same open source tools underpinning many offerings.

"Looking at the community side, anything that helps to spread Linux and free software is a good thing," Brockmeier said. "But I am curious about Google's plan to work with the community."

Chrome OS's new windows?

One of the stated goals for Chrome OS is a new windowing system for Linux. All modern Linux systems use some form of the X Window System as the underlying basis for their desktop user interfaces.

OpenSUSE's Brockmeier is among those that does not see a need for another windowing system on Linux.

"Any technical advantages you might get from a new window system are offset by losing the applications that work with X already," Brockmeier said.

The Linux Foundation's McPherson is also curious to see how Google's Linux windowing plans shape up. In her view, community collaboration is still the key.

"In general, we feel using community-supported, upstream components is the best way to go," McPherson said. "It's not just good for the community, it's best for the vendor who is basing their products on Linux as it gives them all the advantages of collaborative development."

For Ubuntu and its commercial backer Canonical, investing in X Window System improvements is something they are already doing. A potential new approach for an open source windowing system is also something that both will be watching closely.

"There are no sacred cows," Carr said. "It will be interesting to see what Google proposes and how the open source community reacts to it."

"Can X be improved?" he added. "Sure it can. We will continue to invest in and integrate improvements in X while watching what Google [does]. Innovation is exciting and what they are proposing -- better integration of Web to desktop -- is something we can support. We look forward to see what's proposed."