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Google Bans Microsoft on Company Computers

Updated on June 1, 2010

In a surprising move that is being spread around the internet recently, Google has reportedly banned Microsoft's Windows Operating System from its company computers. Any article online can tell you when and why this happened, but I want to explain what it means for Google, Microsoft, and those who yearn for free, open-source operating systems. The decree by Google was reportedly issued because of "security issues" with Windows that led to the hacking incident with China earlier this year. But nonetheless, assuming the reports are true, this comes as a major blow to Microsoft, who undoubtedly sold thousands of copies of Windows to Google.

What does this mean for you? Honestly, if you don't care too much about open-source software, internet freedom, or knocking Microsoft off of its pedestal, then not much. The internet will continue to function the way it always has, and you probably won't notice anything. But if you are a die-hard Linux or Mac fan, you will be happy to know that the operating systems Google is now supporting are Linux and Mac. In addition, Microsoft is slowly losing ground, and if any company ever doubted they could switch from Windows, now would be the time, as one of the largest companies in the world switches away from Windows. This means that companies around the globe can save on operating costs if they switch to Linux, a free and open-source operating system.

If you are a Linux fan-boy, this is great news to you. When a company as large as Google switches to a new operating system, there will almost certainly be a huge new wave of support for that particular OS. Linux has great support as it is, but if software makers see more and more people joining the bandwagon, they will surely want to create new software that can run on that operating system.

Another big plus for Google fans is that this gives the company more reason to develop its new Chrome OS, a cloud-based operating system. 

So if you don't care about Microsoft, or open-source, or Linux, or Mac, then you can continue on your internet-way. But for the many users out there who were just waiting for another reason to brag about using Linux, now is your chance. Google has always been about open software and open policies. With a move like this, they are proving it.

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