Google, 'We're not doing any more Windows'

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Google, ‘We’re not doing any more Windows’

31 May 2010 1,834 views 3 Comments

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In the wake of the Chinese hacking scandal, searchzilla is giving workers a choice between OS X or Linux in an effort to rid itself of Microsoft Windows. In fact, you’ve gotta get corner office permission to use one of Redmond’s OSes. Financial Times reports that Google is moving its 10,000-plus workers off Windows and onto Macs or Linux boxen. Following the 2009 Chinese hacking scandal, the search giant issued a directive that came into effect in January that mandates all new hires choose either a Mac or computer running Linux.

“We’re not doing any more Windows. It is a security effort,” said one Google employee.

“Many people have been moved away from [Windows] PCs, mostly towards Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks,” said another.

“Linux is open source and we feel good about it,” said a third. “Microsoft we don’t feel so good about.”

More interesting still, any Google employee that thinks they want or need to use a computer running Windows has to get CIO approval. Yes, using a PC requires an executive suite OK — wow.

This move won’t noticeably change world today or tomorrow, but it’s certainly a source of hope for the advancement of the Mac and other *nix platforms…

What’s your take?

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3 Comments »

Ashot Geodakov said:

Just out of professional curiosity: developing Windows products like Chrome, Desktop, Picasa, Toolbar for IE, plus testing all of the above and including Docs in IE. Is it possible without a single copy of Windows?

# 1 June 2010 at 1:16 pm

Andrew said:

Yep, and its quite easy. Virtualization is wonderful that way.

# 1 June 2010 at 1:52 pm

Amy said:

Just out of professional curiosity: developing Windows products like Chrome, Desktop, Picasa, Toolbar for IE, plus testing all of the above and including Docs in IE. Is it possible without a single copy of Windows?

# 3 June 2010 at 8:44 pm