Firefox 3 was downloaded 8,000,000 times in the first day. It's not unreasonable to believe it could break 12,000,000 next time.
With such explosive growth and popularity, it may take down Internet Explorer as the most popular browser.
What if in the next release, it practically replaced the operating system? Being able to run on any of the popular systems, but being able to replace all of its features. Already Web 2.0 has started to make the OS less important. Nearly everything can be done on the internet with just a browser. However, it is still not as easy to access Google Docs, as Microsoft Office.
One mockup for Mozilla Aurora seems to do just that. It integrates everything seamlessly in a futuristic interface that could be practical on modern hardware. If they pull it off, it could eliminate Windows too.
About a week ago this preview video made headlines. The scenario they use is a bit cheesy. Some of the interface features like the radial menu that doesn't have any sort of labeling does not make sense either. They also have some nonsensical hardware like a weird mouse and a white brick that is supposed to be a computer.
Just put all that aside because about 2 minutes it starts to be amazing. Go ahead and skip to it.
Aurora (Part 1) from Adaptive Path on Vimeo.
The history view reminds me of the "scale" feature in Compiz Fusion/Beryl. The effects would require hardware acceleration, which could be done with OpenGL on all Operating Systems. This also suggests that it could be its own Linux Distro.
Of course, all of this, even the video, is just theory. Mozilla may take it in a totally different direction, but I have a feeling that something big is on the way.
I got this idea when I saw a post on some random forum, where someone had said that they would consider dual booting into Ubuntu, if there were a 'Ubuntu/Linux for beginners' book that wasn't for 30$.
He was looking on amazon at the time, and probably did not even look at the Ubuntu documentation. I haven't either until now. It's not easy to read and certainly not designed for beginners.
So, what I'm thinking is to provide exactly what he was thinking. A "Ubuntu for beginners" virtual book that can be easily printed and distributed with an open source licenses, Similar to the "wikipedia" physical books. The book may be sold for the cost of materials, or could easily be printed from home.
It could be featured somehow on Ubuntu's "shipit", as an option for new users.
Since it is specifically designed for beginners, it should not be deeper than necessary, and explain everything someone new to Linux needs to know to install and use Ubuntu.
The actual website for constructing should be Drupal with the "books" module. Many of the Ubuntu website's are already using Drupal (Including Ubuntu QA), and the books module provides the best and easiest features for both writers and readers. The pages can be easily ordered and structured in the book. The pages can be individually viewed, individually printed, or printed as a book.
Since Ubuntu QA already uses Drupal framework, it makes sense to use it on this "site" but give it it's own subdomain. Users of Ubuntu QA will not need a new account and Drupal will not need to be re-themed as much.
Others have said:
"I think that this is a brilliant idea. This would very much help the many new users that have just ventured out of Windows for the first time."
"Yes, it would be nice with a free .pdf Ubuntu book. The guy is just making excuses though. Or do did he buy a "Computer for beginners" and "Windows for beginners" book, too"
Contribute your own thoughts and vote on my idea on Ubuntu Brainstorm.
If the idea reaches 200 votes, I'll make the framework for it myself and host it (maybe temporarily) on a neomenlo subdomain. Ubuntu Brainstorm uses drupal, which I am very familiar with.
About BOINC
BOINC is an open source program that allows you to participate in a cluster. Research that requires large, complex computations can be distributed to many normal computers, as opposed to a really expensive and powerful one. This is what Google does with their servers. The difference is that you can donate your idle system power to research. You can even choose what research you want to help.
- For those interested in alien life, there is SETI, which analyzes the signals from space for unnatural sounds.
- For those who often render with Blender, there is BURP. This is a distributed render farm through boinc. You can have your own projects rendered.
- For those concerned with humanity, there are a few World Community Grid projects. Many try to find cures for diseases. All research done on world community grid becomes publicly available.
Most importantly, theres no performance draw on your computer. It takes your idle power by having the process be very low priority. You have the option of not running it while your computer is in use, but I leave it on all the time and there is no problem.
A NeoMenlo.org team?
Right now I've got 5 modern computers running world community grid, and I'm gaining rank fast. The widget below is updated every 12 hours.
I have been considering forming a BOINC team to spread the word of NeoMenlo. I do not want to be the only member, so please let me know if you are interested.
EDIT: With the promise of 4 computers from Jillene, I have made the official NeoMenlo.org BOINC team.
If you use World Community Grid, you can join here:
If you do not use World Community Grid, but would like to become a member of both Wolrd Community Grid and the NeoMenlo.org team, follow this link:
Here's a pretty interesting idea. Firefox 3 can set a Guinness World Record for most software downloaded in a day. The new Firefox 3 is set to be released sometime this month.
The link on the banner below is to a special page on SpreadFirefox designed specifically for the event. There you can see how many people have pledged to participate and get more information about Download Day.
http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord