Graphic source: G.ho.st.
G.ho.st, which stands for Global Hosted Operating SysTem, has not arrived. Ghost Inc.'s Ghost: bills itself as the "Everywhere OS" but having tried it I would not say it works seamlessly. The interface is a mish-mash of Windows and Mac, so this might turn off both adherents of their favorite OS.
I like the basic concept. The idea is that the Windows and Mac model of your operating system, including all your favorite applications and data, are sealed inside one physical computer, and this manner of working and storing files is obsolete. According to Ghost’s creator, Zvi Schreiber, this is their raison d' etre.
The point sounds good but Ghost is sluggish in execution. I found the interface cluttered, my keyboard strokes were not easily picked up by Ghost, and thus my first impression was not a seamless experience.
Ghost should be a Web-hosted image of your desktop or laptop: a virtual computer that can be accessed by any client device via a Web browser. Maybe.
The `Wow Factor' for the "The Everywhere OS" did not materialize.
You can't beat the price though: Ghost is free for users.
Schreiber says a revenue stream will arise from vendors who remit fees to the company when they sell products or services to Ghost users.
To be fair, it should be mentioned that Ghost is in an alpha, “open to the public” release at the Ghost site.
Ghost is built from OpenLaszlo, an open-source platform for the development and delivery of Web applications that have the appearance and functions of traditional desktop applications.
I'll look in from time to time but I was not thrilled by the first experience.
Ghost is my second review of the top ten cool tools. The first review and product of those chosen by Computerworld came off better than Ghost.
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