[LINK] Google to ditch Microsoft Windows

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Google to ditch Microsoft Windows: report
June 2, 2010
SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-to-ditch-microsoft-windows-report-20100602-wwd9.html

Web search group Google is phasing out internal use of rival Microsoft's 
Windows operating system because of security concerns following a 
Chinese hacking incident, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Citing several Google employees, the FT said the decision to move to 
other operating systems including Apple's Mac OS and open-source Linux 
began in earnest in January after Google's Chinese operations were hacked.

Internet security firm McAfee Inc said at the time the cyber attacks on 
Google and other businesses had exploited a previously unknown flaw in 
Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, which was vulnerable on all 
recent versions of Windows.

The FT quoted one Google employee as saying: "We're not doing any more 
Windows. It is a security effort." Another said: "Getting a new Windows 
machine now requires CIO (chief information officer) approval."

Google said in a statement: "We're always working to improve the 
efficiency of our business, but we do not comment on specific 
operational matters."

Google, which already offers e-mail, Web and other software products 
that compete with Microsoft's offerings, is developing its own operating 
system based on its Chrome browser. It will initially target netbooks, 
or inexpensive, pared-down notebook PCs.

Microsoft Windows runs about nine out of 10 of the world's personal 
computers.

Reuters


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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au