The Online Operating System - How We're Going to Use Computers in the Future

The internet is a modern phenomenon that has made the world even smaller than before. When people could connect over the phone for a few bucks across the world, now people can speak to each other for a few cents over theinternet. The internet is shaping modern language, creating knowledge, and is even making it possible for people to collaborate from almost anywhere. Some people may think that it has reached is pinnacle, but that's only to those who are uninformed. Hopefully soon, there will be operating systems that are based over the internet, making the need for hard drives, intense processors, and even optical drives nearly obsolete. All that you will really need is a monitor,internet connection, and a cheap computer that can transfer ones and zeros to a graphic interface.

Although there are inherent flaws to the system, those flaws will eventually be overcome by new technology that will be developed in the near future. Fasterinternet connections and protocols to better handle traffic will be made available, even though the latter may come at a later date.

A feature that I thought would be pretty cool is "instant-access" for software and various programs. With an internet operating system, one could simply check a few boxes and order his or her software straight over the internet. A great thing is that there would be no need to install it or download it, the software could be streamed live from the company's servers. This method of software "installation" would also help prevent the pirating of software across the world. The main problem with this is the ability for the end users to install their own legacy software, but that's easily amended by making the legacy software availableonline. Another possible downside of this feature is that manufactures could easily limit the installation of software from companies they are competing with and the possibility of software such as Mozilla Firefox being intentionally blocked in order to keep IE as the dominant browser.

What I believe the major change in the PC industry would be if an online operating system is accepted would have to be the design and cost of notebook computers. Imagine when the tablet PC you use has a 10 hour battery life, nearly unlimited storage, and you can instantaneously use any program that is available at the time. Online operating systems would not only maintain your operating system, but also the storage of your files as well as the instant distribution software. With hardware like flash memory hard drives and online storage systems (Live Drive and GDrive), this is a definite possibility.

A good example of an implementation of this method is at (surprise, surprise) Microsoft's keynote at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show. Bill Gates 'traveled' to an airport, where he placed his cell phone on a terminal. A signal from the cellphone would automatically access his computer and give him a virtually anywhere-access computer as long as there was a terminal that he could use to connect to the server that would display his 'computer'.

With the advent of this new technology, new concerns over privacy will likely emerge. If the government hasn't yet found a way to illegally tap into our networked computers by now,ole ' Big Brother will most likely try and force access to people's virtual machines. Here's where the legal fires will burn and controversy will turn to bad publicity for companies. Also,spyware could be installed without the user being notified by companies or ads that appear on your machine that are affiliated with your OS provider, thus another big security risk.

Notebooks that depend on the internet will require constant and secure internet access. Here comes in the neccesity for country-wide WiFi access. Although most likely limited to the city area where people will use this technology the most, people will need some way of continuous access to theinternet in order for their computers to work. In order to plan wireless access on this kind of level, governments almost always have to be a part of it in order for the construction andmaintenance to be successful.

Now we all have to remember that this is mere speculation, but surely grand and hopeful speculation. Online operating systems provide near limitless possibilities for the user. All we have to do is wait for one that can actually successfully and efficiently provide service.