gOS Linux: A Quick Look - Not a Google Operating System
A Review of gOS: The Operating System for Affordable Computing
Switching focus from Microsoft’s offerings, this article provides an overview of gOS, an operating system that gained attention for its inclusion with Wal-Mart’s $199 computers. Despite its association with Google applications, gOS is fundamentally built upon the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Its full name, GreenOS, hints at its design philosophy.
The system is remarkably lightweight, making it suitable for machines with limited processing power. Optimal performance, however, requires a High Speed Ethernet connection to fully utilize its integrated features.
Initial Setup and Live CD Experience
The ISO image was downloaded and subsequently burned to a disc. Like many Ubuntu-based distributions, gOS offers a live CD environment. This allows users to test hardware compatibility and explore the OS features without installation.
Due to its efficient resource utilization, the live CD environment of gOS operates at a noticeably faster speed compared to other Linux live discs.
Installation Process
The installation procedure is exceptionally swift. Users already familiar with Ubuntu will find the process entirely intuitive. The installation screens and configuration options closely mirror those found in a standard Ubuntu installation.
Upon completion, the system prompts for the removal of the live disc and initiates a reboot, presenting the standard username and password login prompts.
Pre-Installed Applications
gOS comes equipped with a selection of pre-installed web applications, providing immediate access to online services. Open Office is also included, alongside a collection of casual games for entertainment.
The inclusion of Xine media player is a particularly noteworthy choice, offering robust multimedia capabilities out of the box.
Performance on Older Hardware
gOS was tested on an older Dell Optiplex 280, featuring a P4 2.4GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM. The operating system demonstrated surprisingly smooth and responsive performance on this configuration.
While extensive testing was limited, the system supports software installation via the apt-get command and includes the Synaptic Package Manager for graphical package management.
Although not ideally suited for demanding users, gOS presents an interesting option for revitalizing older hardware or for simple computing tasks. The project is now discontinued.