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Critically thinking about The Google Chrome OS Pilot Program: What could have been better?

Disclaimer:  The following commentary is simply my thoughts and opinions on how the CR-48s were distributed for the pilot program.  Even though I am going to be criticizing Google in this blog entry I firmly believe in the company.   I also recognize that the company is made of human beings and mistakes are known to be made.  I still love Google with all my heart!! 


First of all the basic premise of the pilot program is very sound. 60,000 free laptops with a beta OS on them for testing to  get all the bugs smoothed out by the end user is a great idea and I applaud Google for that.  However, there were several glaring holes in the application process which I believe might hurt Google in the end.

1. One test laptop per household-  In the beginning there was word of two or three people in the same house each individually receiving a laptop.  Since the laptop is made so that multiple people can use it they could haver fond a way to share.  This would have opened up more laptops to a more diverse group of testers.  The shared laptop would still get the feedback even if they had their own. However, even more people could test the laptop this way.
2. One application per person-  Do not get me wrong I understand why people were repeatedly applying.  I applied more than once myself.  However, there obviously were no checks in place to make sure that  the same individual was getting more than one.  Again that  brings us back to number 1.  Google should have put the info filled out on the applications into a  database.  Much like when you sign up for a new GMail account and your username is checked to prevent duplicates; the address, email, and phone number fields could have been checked along with the ip address to see if this person had applied before.  If any of those fields came back as a duplicate then when they submitted their application there simply would be a message stating "You or someone you live with has already applied to the program please give others a chance to join the program!"  This would not deter everyone from reapplying.  I suspect it would have reduced the amount considerably.
3. Date of Birth-  Clearly stated on the terms of service and on the rules for applying was that you had to be 18 years or older.  There were several cases that I know of for sure of people who managed to slip through the cracks and get one or more anyway  even though they were younger than 18.  There was no place on the application for Date of Birth.  That should have been added.  Yes some would have lied but enough honest people would have eliminated themselves to make up for that.
4. Better Communication-  There is a lot of speculation as to why Google never contacted anyone when they were accepted into the program but that could have been easily eliminated by using the system I described in 2.  Basically if certain people were chosen then  you mark them as chosen and then you send them an email automated of course just saying that they have been accepted and to expect to see a package in the coming weeks.  They do not have to tell them when they will get it.   It still would be a surprise and create lots of anticipation.  Now if selection was as random as it is now even with this system people would still not know when they would get the acceptance letter.  Plus Google still could have surprised the first set with out the acceptance letter.  In the same token if they still wanted to surprise people they could have also did rejection letters.  If someone's application was not acceptable then they should send a automated email saying that their application could not be accepted at this time but they were welcome to try again.  Then the application would be removed from the database so they could reapply.  I also believe Google should have had a automated email go to the person's inbox to acknowledge they  received the application to join the Pilot program much like when you apply for a job online.  These are the little touches that make your company look great!

In some ways Google really dropped the ball when it came to efficiency, organization and communication but I applaud them for their amazing ability to create a bunch of amazing  marketing for themselves without paying marketing costs.  

To those who got into the Pilot program Congrats to you and enjoy your Beta laptop!

To those like me who were not so lucky:  I know many of you are very disappointed and at times I am too but remember this we were never promised a free laptop we were just dreaming of one like everyone else.  I firmly believe there is a reason for everything.  This is a door that has closed for many of us but I think there is another one opening that will  bring cooler and more amazing things.  

Note:  Even though the application is closed now I suspect a few more might go out in the coming weeks but will not know for sure until  this coming week.  I will be watching on http://www.itweet.net the #cr48 and #cr-48 hash tags very carefully.  So for another week or so I still will hold a very tiny and remote hope that I might get one still.

Girl with the Sunshine Smile: HE: What the past teaches

Girl with the Sunshine Smile: HE: What the past teaches: "I debated whether I should put this as Horizons Expanded or the Journey Continues. But I think it belongs here. During the time from ..."

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Making a differance

One of my goals for the year 2011 is to start being more positive to bring into my life. It is also my goal to make a difference and make an impact. I have been wanting to make an impact for a long time. So I stopped looking at the big picture and decided to start small.

During the entire month of February I will be taking a moment each day to say one positive thing to one person. I will be doing this online, in real life, through email and through any form that will give me a way to share my positive thoughts.

My Challenge to the world and anyone around me is to take a moment each and every day to say one positive thing. Please consider joining my challenge.

Thoughts about the CR-48 Google's Pilot Program to test ChromeOS

When my boyfriend wrote to me about this program excitedly I listened and then felt my mind wondering at the possibilities.  As soon as I found out I signed up.  I still have not gotten one but it may very well be I will not.  I would be lying if I said I will not be disappointed if I do not get one.   There is still plenty of time and chances that I might get one but I might not have the demographics or skill set they are targeting at this time.

I have been using google products and search for years.  When Chrome came out I started using it right away.  It crashed too much on my computers so I had to stop using it for a time until it became more stable.  Now I cannot imagine my life without the browser.  Last night I saw the drawing video that explains what  ChromeOS is about  that they released over a year go and I felt myself identifying with the video.

I am a Ubuntu user and have been for close to 4 years.  I used to use Windows only but was experimenting on and off with Linux because its a lot more secure and stable than windows.  There is a whole lot less bloat  ware and viruses are for the most part non-existant.  The fact that the interface has improved a ton does not hurt either.  As part of all of this I have always been open to experiment a bit to get things working.  Sometimes you have to do some hacking to get things working.  Plus I have some really smart and intelligent Linux gurus in which I am well acquainted.  My biggest learning curve happened four years ago when I lost my windows laptop to death by overheating.  That is when I purchased a refurbished Dell that had Windows on it.  Wanted to duel boot in linux and windows but I messed it up somewhere in the install so I just ended up making the computer completely linux.  I was a bit scared at first but after about a month I realized it was the best mistake I ever made.

I do some things outside of the web but I have been finding increasingly that most of my work is on the web.  I think that most of the time I turn on my computer and the first and only thing I turn out for the whole day is my Chrome browser.  Yes I use firefox occasionally for things for work.  I also use Gwibber to keep track of my chat.  I love that because its integrated in the ubuntu operating system.

So for two weeks in the end of December through mid January I was visiting my boyfriend in Chicago.  He is one of two people I know who managed to secure a CR-48.  While I was there I took a little time to check it out a little bit.  I did not do a lot with it as I did not want to really get into it just in case I do get one of my own.  But My first impressions are good.  I honestly can see myself making it my primary computer for all my web needs.  I want to experiment with coding on it.  I also want to experiment with writing on it as well.  Gaming is one of my primary online projects but I also like to be researching and always learning new things.  I really think that the ChromeOS computer will be exactly what I need for that. There are tons of technical things I still need to learn to extend my knowledge and become a more effective administrative assistant.  One of the things I want to do after I read about an 8th grader making a successful app for apple devices is make one of my own.  Again I think that the CR-48 would be a wonderful tool for reading the manuals and experimenting with code.  I have a bunch of ideas and I think that not only would the CR-48 benefit me iI would also benefit Google with my feedback.

I have to say something else cause its been pissing me off as I know I would be a good tester for ChromeOS.  It really really pisses me off when people yank the os off to put another os on it.  That is totally defeating the purpose of the pilot program.  Seriously you just signed up to get a free computer?  What?  Jerks?  Most claim they are testing the hardware and they use the excuse that Google says you can dev on the computer.  But really how is putting a new os on the device anything new in development?  Really its not your just not willing to give the os a chance.  My thought is most of the people who hate ChromeOS really do not understand its purpose and do not take into consideration that its far from over with development.   Every new OS starts with a fairly simple design and had its critics.

The point of ChromeOS is to simplify computing and to create a computer that removes the complications of regular computers.   They are doing their best to make it as secure as possible and no your not gonna have access to the file system because the whole point of the computer is to eliminate the frills.

I understand people wanting to back up files because putting everything online can be a bit dangerous.  I have lost info because I did not have back ups on my hard drive.  I do think that there should be some kind of documents folder for hard coded saving  and usb storage devices need to be supported.  I would also like to see in the future wine integrated into the browser so that you might play video games that do not live on the cloud like games by Blizzard.  Unless they want to make a simplified version of their games for cloud users.  That may be too difficult.

I hope I have a chance to test the cr-48 and really integrate myself into the web.  Wish me luck!!

A week with Google's Chrome OS laptop, Day 2: Becoming a cloud ...

I am hoping that I am still in the running for this computer. It looks to be something I can get into. I used my boyfriends a little when I visited him but I am dying to get one of my own. LOL