Google Sky, Wow!

I predicted Google would do something unpredictable and it occurred earlier this week. They released Google Sky which is integrated into the already incredible Google Earth. If you are into astronomy or just want to see what type of imagery is available of space, then this is it. Google has taken the collective imagery from the science community (NASA, etc..) and put into one place that anyone can now use and navigate just as you can with Google Earth.

I used a few astronomy programs and Google Sky definitely is the best one I have seen to date. I can't wait until there is a similar add-on for the Moon and Mars. Currently, Google Moon and Google Mars are accessible as 2-D browser applications.

Web OSs and the Future

I like looking toward the future and making bold predictions. Here is one, the WebOS paradigm will take over within the 3-5 years. Check out the list of existing WebOS projects at Wikipedia.

I have experimented with a few of these and just recently installed eyeOS which is a really impressive WebOS concept. It is written in PHP and is extremely lightweight. I read a really good review of eyeOS and then tried out it. Another decent concept is YouOS which is written entirely Javascript. It is currently in a proof of concept phase but has promising future if it is continually supported and matures. I have used the Sun Java Desktop System which is is very similar in concept however does not execute entirely within your web browser.

As the WebOS paradigm matures, I think it will eventually take over what virtualization and other desktop paradigms do today purely because a WebOS lends itself to execute in an extremely lightweight container, the web browser, and lends itself to exist in embedded web browser objects executing in mobile and new generation of personal digital devices (i.e. iPhones, GPS devices, PS3, Wii, DS, PDAs, smart phones, PAVs, etc.)