Google: Open source's biggest foe and friend
Google's doing right by open source, while at the same time competing with open source vendors
310 RecommendationsThe hype around Google Chrome OS is palpable. We all need to take a deep breath. In taking that deep breath, it becomes clear that Google has grown to become open source's biggest foe, while at the same time being one of open source's biggest friends. Confused? You should be.
Google helps the open source movement by contributing to various open source projects, funding open source summer development projects, sponsoring open source conferences, and simply by being a poster child for its internal use of open source. Google also open sources elements of its product portfolio in an attempt to gain market acceptance for a given product. Google Android, Google Chrome, and later this year, Google Chrome OS are examples of open sourcing to help drive adoption. For these reasons, it's easy to argue that Google is an open source friend.
[ See also: "Update: Google to launch open source Chrome OS this year" | Find out what InfoWorld contributors Randall Kennedy and Robert X. Cringely think of Google's newly announced OS ]
But it's becoming increasingly clear that Google deserves the "foe" badge when we consider open source vendors and organizations that are at the forefront of the open source movement. The Google Chrome OS, while based on Linux, is directly competitive with offerings from Red Hat, Canonical, and other Linux vendors targeting consumers. Google Chrome is competitive with Firefox, Google Docs is competitive to OpenOffice.org, and Google Apps is competitive with Zimbra. This list is certain to reach down into the middleware stack -- that is, Google App Engine of the future -- and up into the consumer applications stack with Google's ambitions.
Don't get me wrong -- competition is great for users as it forces all vendors to raise their game. However, we should not ignore the fact that Google has deftly become the largest threat to open source vendors, the same vendors who are driving open source adoption today.
White Paper
D2D Virtual Tape Library Replication Primer
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Trial
Free 30-Day Desktop Virtualization Trial
Download a free 30–day trial and experience how XenDesktop delivers a pristine, on–demand desktop experience to users on whatever device they choose, while cutting IT complexity and costs.
Download now »
White Paper
Why Your Firewall, VPN, and IEEE 802.11i Aren't Enough to Protect Your Network
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
- Positioning Disk and Tape in a Disk-to-Disk-to-Tape Solution | White Paper
- Log Management: How to Develop the Right Strategy for Business and Compliance | White Paper
- The Essential Series: Security Information Management | White Paper
- Aberdeen: Choosing and Consuming Managed Security Services | White Paper
- Advancing the Economics of Networking | White Paper
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
