Jolicloud beta gets a thorough going over, Microsoft still not worried
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Aug 17th 2009 12:46PM
posted Aug 17th 2009 12:46PM
We've had our eyes on Jolicloud for a while, and with its eminent beta release the crazy kids at CNET have given it a pretty thorough overview. Tariq Krim has an interesting take on the cloud netbook experience, with an emphasis on quick and easy access to apps -- exemplified by the fact that both installed apps and data are tied to your account, so that no matter which machine you're logged on to, you'll have the same apps and all your data at your disposal. Trolling OK Cupid has never been easier! On the plus side, the reviewer found that installing from a USB key (even while keeping your current OS intact) was a breeze. Also singled out for praise were the large selection of apps and Windows emulation that allowed access to many of your Windows apps. On the other hand, there are downsides, including support for a limited number of netbooks and limited drivers. Interested in the full scoop? Hit that read link to see for yourself.
This looks pretty cool to me.
Interesting idea, horrible name.
i'm appalled, there's no mr. t screen saver install option
Why would this worry Microsoft?
Yea, I didn't get that either. It's a usb version of linux no one cares it will most likely flop before it even gets out of beta.
That sounded to critical on Linux, what it should of said was "no one cares about these extended skins for linux;"
It won't, that statement is just throwing the Linux fanboys a bone and letting them know Linux and Microsoft can still be said in the same sentence without being laughed out of the room, even though in a way it displayed how completely irrelevant that operating system, if you can call it that, is.
^^^
choke on a penis and die
This should worry Microsoft because it is yet more evidence that there is no way on Earth that its core Windows--Office business is sustainable on the long run. There are cheaper options attacking from below, and more expensive options attacking from above, given a pricepoint perspective. I'm sure MS fanboys will mod me to oblivion; but that does not mean Microsoft should not worry about linux.
Has anyone here seen the halloween papers for Christ's sake? http://catb.org/~esr/halloween/
This should worry both M$ and Apple, although Apple doesn't need to worry as much because are going to pwn this trend with the tablet. With the various wireless options that are becoming ubuquitous, 3G, 700Mhz 3GPP, WiMAX, Airplane WiFi the problem of universal connectivity is following Moores law down into a state of oblivion. Netbooks are becoming the perfect size for easy carrying and are becoming powerful enough to handle 1080p video, meaning that the market segment is only becoming larger as CPU hungry power users start adopting them. Combine that with a nice mobile OS that remembers you and provides you with every application that you need for the day to day and now you know why Google is putting several of their proverbial eggs into the Chrome OS basket. I'm actually posting this from my laptop booted on the JoliCloud live CD and it's really nice, especially for the NetBook crowd who is looking for convenience more than flexibility. Connect this with online applications and the conventional thinking regarding full blown operating systems is that they are simply bloat. I can't see myself with out a very powerful desktop machine for intensive graphics, audio and the occasional game, but I can see myself without a bulky laptop once I find a nice netbook that I like.
It's just my $0.02 but IMHO both M$ and Apple should be worried a little bit, not because of JoliCloud per se, but because of what it represents regarding the future of the OS.
So many social networks in one place that your head will explode. Am I the only person wanting to buy a secluded, private island and grow my own veggies?
i know what you mean
because the man with the marley icon wants to grow "veggies" on a secluded island...
How much for a quarter of your finest cherry tomatoes?
Man cannot live on veggies alone.
I already own that island, but I'll let you sharecrop some veggies on it.
No, you're not alone.
Although, I wouldn't mind fast food delivery by helicopter or something.
I'm using Jolicloud, and I absolutely love it. Its great for cloud computing stuff. Hurray for alpha releases that actually work!
By your avatar, probably growing your own grass.
Meant for OneLove
I have a perfect lawn.
I have to agree with uberlieder. I installed jolicloud over the weekend on an Asus Eee PC 701, which was struggling even with XP. Now, it's as if I have a new machine. Much snappier OS for low-end netbooks. Most of the apps open brilliantly in the small screen size (very little scrolling from side to side).
I don't think it's a threat to Windows or Mac OS X, but a great alternative for netbooks, and, perhaps, the easiest way to get and use Linux for those people used to the other major OSes.
If you think jolicloud is snappy, try regular ubuntu. works great on my eee 900 which is just the 701 with a bigger screen. jolicloud didnt even register my wifi card.
Windows 7 has the ability to do non-system-dependent content synchronization via Windows Live integration. However most programs will not be "portable" so they would still be dependent on a specific machine.
In reality I think it will be a threat more to Apple. All this talk about this rumored Apple Tablet, it will probably have App Store instead of web apps.
Yeah, so long as it runs more than 1 app at a time! I love my iPhone, but hate its restrictions.
been using it since the alpha was first released..its ok..not impressed that much...missing a couple of huge features..hopefully they will fix that in the beta release
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE JOLICLOUD! It took minutes to install and made XP look like a sloth on my Eee Pc 900. Jolicloud is smooth and fast. And the way apps and updates are installed is absolutely brilliant. Get Jolicloud. Now. Even if you have to go buy a new netbook to just to use it.
All netbook users please get behind this OS.
"Apps"
"Apps"
"Apps"
I miss the days when we called these "programs".
tl;dr
I agree. But admittedly, Jolicloud includes web apps (e.g., Google Docs) in with its normal programs (e.g., OpenOffice programs) so it's easier to include both under the umbrella term of "apps".
By the way, I love your avatar.
Programs require extensive compile time.
You're getting too technical, though.
A program can be classified as software which performs a certain function(s).
An application can be classified as software which performs a certain function(s).
I just miss the old jargon, really. I'm a nostalgic kind of dood, which has been proven not only by my avatar, but the fact that I just spelled dude, "dood".
the question here is what took so long...
this seems like something that should of come out a long time ago
Have Jolicloud and XP on an LG X110.
Rarely use XP now, and WINE does a great job, for the one or two progs you can't do without.
Support via Getsatisfaction is very supportive also.
Recommended fully.
WINE is not an emulator, im guessing WINE is used, becuase none of the atoms (i know of) support virtualization.
Wine is to my knowledge an application layer for a win32 environment.
Why does every new, (old or different) idea have to be a "new" OS when its more often than not a meta-package with different software, and a few scripts, on top of ubuntu, for the most part.
Nobody cares about the code in the box, the code that disappears. The GUI is the part people use. If it's a different GUI, it's a different experience, and therefore a different OS. That said, the hidden bits do have an effect on that experience, so, for example, Nexenta and Ubuntu can be differentiated by that "my crap doesn't work with nexenta."-- and are therefore different operating systems despite sharing most userland software.
The same tools on a solaris kernel warrants a new OS, but this?
hmmm... trying it now
Jolicloud's easily the best Netbook OS out there. Win 7 is a close second, but it eats up 90% of the 16gb flash chip in mine, and needing firewall and antivirus just bogs it down too much.
Jolicloud's even fixed driver issues that Ubuntu has not yet fixed.
I tried it on my Dell Mni 9...after two weeks of this OS I moved back to Win7 as I find that Win7 runs faster and more efficiently than this watered down OS.
Why do I need a skinned version of Linux that looks like a space aged SpeakNSpell with giant shiny colorful icons?
It doesn't run any better than any other version of Linux that I've used and just about any version can be made into a persistent install on a USB key.
I lump this into the same bin as Moblin. The bin is labeled "Why Did You Waste Your Time?"
Linux Mint 7 is the sweet spot for netbooks, folks.
Hello
Thanks for the amazing comments, I would like to add a few things:
Jolicloud is not another Linux or Ubuntu, our team spent months to optimize and include drivers to create an out of the box experience for netbooks. A lot of drivers may exist around the Internet, but we think that it's not the best use of your time to look for the ones your system needs in order to work properly. Most if not any N270/280 based netbook should work like a charm. If it's not the case you just need to contact us with the description of your netbook (open the Terminal, type "sudo lspci -v -nn" and send us the result by email at feedback at jolicloud dot com).
@MarkyB86 I am extremely surprised that your WiFi card for your eeepc 900 is not working on jolicloud. Adam, who created the original Ubuntu fixes for the Eee PC (the array kernel) has just joined our team full time. I can tell you a lot of optimizations are on their way and it's going to be really cool.
You can find a list of some of the work we have done here: http://wiki.jolicloud.com/jolicloud-alpha-improvements
Regarding the apps, the way it works is that we have tried to give a list of cool apps that we would use on the go. Lots of the apps there have been requested by users, and if you think something is missing, let us know! @jolicloud on Twitter is the best way.
The most important thing to know is that the product you have in hands is going to be improved dramatically in the near future: faster boot, better video drivers, better Firefox engine for Prism, latest Chrome, Flash, AIR builds. A lot of the features we are planning will be discussed with you, and we will also spend more resources on better integrate Jolicloud with your cloud services and social networks. Until now our primary focus was to work on compatiblity issues. With more than a thousand of feedbacks regarding that matter, we think we should be the most compatible netbook OS in town. We are currently working on the process to scale that compatibility, as new netbooks will show up soon.
3G connectivity is also an important matter and we are hoping to support all 3G internal and external cards. Again your help is needed as we only have the European one at hand.
Once again thanks for your amazing support, we are working hard to make this product different from others. We believe that netbooks are cheap and super cool, always connected and they deserve a different experience from regular laptops, this is why we created Jolicloud !
I will try it again. Is there anyway to not use the netbook remix launcher though?
@Tariq — Thanks for creating an OS that works brilliantly on my Asus Eee pc 701. After watching XP grow more sluggish, I surrendered the Eee pc to my bin of unused gadgets. However, after installing Jolicloud, I have used that little computer more in two days than my MacBook Pro and Toshba nb205 (XP).
I even streamed a bit of the Red Sox-Rangers game and Foxsoccer.tv, something I never would have done with the old XP setup.
I think Jolicloud has the potential of being what an OS for netbooks should be. (And I haven't explored the more social aspects of the OS.)
Well done.
Cheers.
I'd love jolicloud if it was for me-I am not really a social media maven. teh integration with email is all i'd really take advantage of-i don't need my OS's default screen to track FB updates [i don't twitter], so...
maybe UNR is for me once i get tired of MIE on my HP MINI? we'll see
How many phones, netbooks, OSes that integrate facebook, myspace we need? These pimply kids need real friends not some pen pals who live hundreds of miles away.
I love the concept ...what about callling is someting better ..like ....Skynet?....oh right that one is taken :)