gOS

Yesterday I had to wait for the train (the one I take was cancelled). So I decided to grab some magazine and read a little bit.

I was looking to buy one about Linux. The first I took had an article about a new OS: gOS.
My first impression when I looked at the pictures was: "No way gOS means Google OS?".

But as I started to read the article there was an announcement telling a replacement train was arriving at the station! I had to leave without finishing the article or buying the magazine, not knowing what gOS was all about!

As soon has I arrived home I googled gOS to get more information. Indeed gOS does not stand for Google OS but more for Green or Good OS.

In fact :) gOS is a new GNU/Linux distribution developed by a Californian start-up: ThinkOS.
It is based on Ubuntu 7.10 and integrates Enlightenment E17 (meaning beautiful in geek). The idea here is to have a simple, easy to use and nice desktop environment.

The primary UI of gOS has a Mac OSX Leapord-like Dock menu called the iBar which features icons for Google applications and services (where the confusion with a hypothetic Google OS) like: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Product Search or Google Maps.
Other applications are also available: Xine, Skype, OpenOffice.org and many others.
The system also comes with a lifetime of free updates and revisions.

The company claims in a FAQ that it was "created as a conceptual Google OS" but clarifies that "popular applications such as those from Google are an integral part of the product, however, gOS is an entity entirely independent from Google".

I already download it (torrent) and will certainly install it tomorrow (under VMware). I will post my first impressions soon.