Daylife/Reuters Pictures used by permission
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Google is phasing out the internal use of Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows operating system because of security concerns, according to several Google employees.
The directive to move to other operating systems began in earnest in January, after Google’s Chinese operations were hacked, and could effectively end the use of Windows at Google, which employs more than 10,000 workers internationally.
“We’re not doing any more Windows. It is a security effort,” said one Google employee.
“Many people have been moved away from [Windows] PCs, mostly towards Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks,” said another.
New hires are now given the option of using Apple’s Mac computers or PCs running the Linux operating system…
Employees wanting to stay on Windows required clearance from “quite senior levels”, one employee said. “Getting a new Windows machine now requires CIO approval,” said another employee…
The move created mild discontent among some Google employees, appreciative of the choice in operating systems granted to them – an unusual feature in large companies. But many employees were relieved they could still use Macs and Linux. “It would have made more people upset if they banned Macs rather than Windows,” he added.
Phew!
Maybe Google should take a Linux or Unix kernal core and make their own window GUI for it like Apple did with Darwin and Aqua. Making sure that they maintain compatibility with most of the apps that now run on Linux still run on their window manager with just a recompile in most cases. A hard move away from X-Windows into a better GUI space would make great sense. And I’ll bet that Google could convince Intel, AMD and Nvidia to make drivers for them like nobody else could.