Web-Centric Virtual Computer (VC) Operating Systems: Is it the Future?

Web-Centric Virtual Computer (VC) Operating Systems: Is it the Future?

The idea of a primarily cloud-centric OS is nothing revolutionary; the earliest examples date back to 1999. And although numerous other attempts at developing Web-centric OSes none up to this point have truly broken into the mainstream. But some current offerings present welcome alternatives to mainstream operating systems, packing in useful features and making it easier to access your online content.

Unlike a physical computer, your Virtual Computer (VC) is "hosted" in a professional data center somewhere in the Internet "cloud" and is accessible as a web page in any browser. You can run the entire VC from any Internet browser without the need to install any software or "sync" files. Just enter your username and password, and continue using your VC from exactly the state you last left it in.

G.ho.st

G.ho.st offers every person in the world a free Virtual Computer (VC). G.ho.st is simply pronounced "ghost", an acronym of Global hosted operating system (written G.ho.st with two dots because a URL (web address) must have dots!). The G.ho.st Virtual Computer includes almost everything you would have in a physical computer - a desktop, file storage (like a disk drive) and applications (apps).

G.ho.st is revolutionizing personal computing by delivering to you a free Virtual Computer - personal computing in a web page, free of charge. For the first time in history, G.ho.st frees you from being tied to any one physical device - and frees you from the worries of installing software, backing up, and other administration.

Cloudo

Clurrently in beta, Cloudo is described as offering everyone a "free of charge computer" as it lets "every computer, in school, at work, at your friends' or even in the library" become your own. That is, Cloudo lets you log in to your user account from any location. Cloudo is also reasonably flexible: you can skin the user interface (UI), and developers can also develop their own applications for the platform.

Cloudo is expected to officially launch next year, but you can try the beta right now for free.

Glide

Now at version 4.0, Glide, included in our list of the Top 100 products of 2009, syncs your online desktop to your mobile device, allowing for a fairly constant connection to your data.

This Flash-based Web desktop supports multiple users, just like your home PC, and offers an impressive 20GB's of cloud storage, all without any ads.

Jolicloud

A project which started in the summer of 2008, Jolicloud is currently an invitation-only affair. Jolicloud is targeted specifically at netbooks, much like Chrome OS will be. A wide range of compatible devices can be found on the Jolicloud website, and the list is growing.

The idea behind Jolicloud is to create a more "organic" OS, removing the need for costly software with Web alternatives.

You can follow Jolicloud's progress on Twitter.

EyeOS

EyeOS is one of the most established cloud-centric OSes, having been around since 2005. Since its launch the open-source cloud computing OS has gone on to gain support from various companies and organizations

as users.

With a wide range of bundled software--including office software and a development environment--EyeOS is a great alternative to Chrome OS. You can try it now here.

Windows4All

We're not to sure what Microsoft would make of this one. Powered by Silverlight, Windows4All mimics the desktop environment of Windows 7.

Offering many of the basic programs that ship with the real deal, such as Paint, Notepad and Solitaire, Windows4All is more of an experiment rather than a legitimate Web OS. Either way it still makes for an interesting in-browser experience.

This makes up just a few of the currently available web-OS'. If you try any or are using any, then be sure leave your recommendations and comments below!