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Chrome is not an OS

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A number of dilettante tech journalists and bloggers are proclaiming Google's Chrome browser "a new OS!!!!"; by doing this they are displaying an incredible ignorance of what an OS is and does.I realize that we are increasingly a society that has no idea of how things actually work, and that SillyClone Valley is a place where even EE's can't fix their own appliances.

I'm not sure I want to spew out a tutorial here; I am semi-retired from RTOS kernel writing for data acquisition, I know what an OS is.

The Google Chrome browser needs an OS. It needs the hardware initialized and it needs native file system services to place its persistent storage, whether as files or as objects in the Gears Database.

Chrome needs a graphics system to draw, and frame buffer primitives for its rendering engine. It needs all the drivers to attach AV devices so you can VOIP. All browsers need this.

The newfangled and impressive WebTop, instant booting, ROM-based mini OS provides these minimal services, extracted from a full Linux, to allow web surfing and Skype without a boot from a full, disk-based OS. WebTop is an OS.

Now then, could a browser be an OS? Yes. As we see with the BEA Applications Server side of things, one may write a set of minimal services to take over after the BIOS, hand over to the Hypervisor, and provide a JVM with extended OS services. They are doing this now, you can buy a BEA Java Application server that does not require a server OS.

If the browser companies want to support the devices, to license drivers, or to use open source distros for the support of post BIOS housekeeping, then by all means, the browser could replace what we now know  as the Operating System.

One caveat - even the best Linux distributions, after all these years, and after great and astounding progress, still struggle with device support. Chew on that.

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A business plan makes the rounds

In 2005, I left my full-time position as in-house integration analyst at a fairly successful Automotive Auction, where I created a Nextel-based, Fax-to-handset, web dispatched system used by our towing fleet, independent mobile glass repair guys, locksmiths. The system was very popular, and I thought that converting it to an open enrollment system would be a great venture.

I brought the idea to the owners of the auction, but they were technology risk averse; then I wrote my business plan / briefing, and went on the road to find an institutional investor, but I was doubtful that a lone wolf like myself would qualify for VC. Then I sought an internal position with a software or mobile services company to take me and the plan in-house with a business unit and budget allocated for this project specifically.

That one came real close - so close. I was offered jobs and contracts to just work for several folks, which I did on occasion, fruitfully - but never got the Plan funded (yet).

So here it is for all to see; maybe by opening it up, I can find a partner, investor, or just more work. There is nothing particularly proprietary about the technology, just the domain knowledge of how the "independent dispatch industry works", and my extensive surveys of the work-force that makes up the paying subscriber constituency. Oh, yes, I have also completed much architectural technology foundation stuff that is invaluable to a team of developers getting started.

As far as my ongoing market research - there is still no open portal for distributed, open dispatch services.

So, maybe you can work with me and do something with this business plan:

Obviously, we all have very strong ideas about how to qualify and fund a venture, so, here -  collaborate with me, or use it to line your smuggled amazon blue-fronted parrot's cage:

Here are the non-design documents explaining the venture's branding, external functionality, and market positioning:

Briefing 

Presentation Handout 

Mobile Comms Background Article

A Newer Presentation

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Consultants: Mess Up Totally while being 100% Right!

Don't go against the money; what say, you say? Consultants, don't go against the opinion of the people funding a venture, or their management proxies - you will not get contracts, you will have your early termination clauses invoked, and you will be forced out the valley. Of course, you will also not be able to provide any services of value, but it seems that the valley is chock full of closed end product management hires that are basically yes-men and gals for the management. So why did they hire you?

First, some background about what a good product strategist does -people are confused until they really need a guy like me. I built my reputation by being honest and never pulling punches, all while providing action oriented, sane product / channel re-jiggering.

People who label as 'Strategists' take a lot of heat; where do you get the nerve? Well, first of all, there are two types of strategists: Corporate capital 'S' strategists, and product channel specialty small 's' strategists. I am a small 's' strategist specializing in technical, industrial, and vertical markets. Without this specialization, I should be rebuffed; with no MBA, no degree from any institution of higher learning, I need my tool belt of practical industry experience to underwrite my credibility, and to speak with authority regarding the markets that I swim in, on behalf of my clients.(visit)