SplashTop

A really interesting concept whose time has come --- Instant on Linux, well a few seconds is instant compared to what is normal for today. The OS is stored in ROM on the motherboard and boots from there. It's a compact version, includes things like Firefox browser and a few other applications.

An interesting concept ... I wonder if it is expandable to other distributions, like Ubuntu. I bet there is no reason why it couldn't be expanded. I think that instant on is going to get a lot more popular as web apps become used by more and more people. The power savings, lack of desktop heat, and other advantages are going to drive the market. Sun Microsystems used to say the network is the computer, and now unequivocally it has come to pass -- The web has become the computer.

The way it works now is the software is loaded into a flash memory chip and installed on the motherboard. But, nothing prevents the motherboard manufacturers from adding a flash chip, or even a socket for a flash chip, and having a piece of software that would load an OS image on the chip. Much the same as USB Linux boot works today, only the chips are on the motherboard. The USB boot is noticeably faster, but not as fast as would be a native chip boot. BTW, usb boot is a great way to test Linux, no need to burn an image to a CD. Most distributions have a tutorial on their websites, Ubuntu's is here. I use it when tested new releases. USB boot works with any PC that can boot from the USB port.





Splashtop is here.