TechLifeBlogged

So apparently Google is going to announce tomorrow at CES a video download service and also Google Pack. The pack is a bundle that is said to include (with my thoughts beside each):

 

    * Firefox (Tell me you don't still use IE)
    * A version of Norton AntiVirus (Will it stay free or what? I use AVG now and it's free)
    * Adobe Reader (My PC came with Reader 7)
    * RealPlayer (Yuck. I hope they let you opt out of this install)
    * Trillian (Interesting. Google Talk didn't work with the old free version.)
    * Ad-Aware (Good addition to the other 2. You can never use just one.)
    * Google Desktop Search (I still use this too.)
    * Google Earth (Nice if you have the bandwidth)
    * Picasa (My favorite photo management software.)
    * Google Talk (Could get interesting with the AOL/GOOG convergence. Although I don't IM much)
    * Google Toolbar (I use the Firefox version)
    * Screensaver (wtf? Maybe it will be really cool and integrate RSS??)

Nathan at InsideGoogle calls it the anti-Microsoft pack.

 

From the WSJ. "Google Pack, which will involve a single installer program for all applications, could also ease some of Google's own work providing technical support to users."

 

Seems like the geek community is giving this one a big yawn. I think otherwise. Yeah as I geek I've installed the ones I use and keep up with this stuff but what about your non tech friends and family? Wouldn't it be really easy to just say go download and install GooglePack (or send them a CD you burned yourself) and they will have what they need to stay secure and happy and not have to figure out where to get all the stuff and more?

Interesting to watch is how some of these non-Google created components will be licensed. If it's crippleware people will go right back to MS or other vendors. And what happens if say Picasa is upgraded? Do I need a whole now pack? Will they have software updates to individual components?

 

The link I've found for GooglePack: http://pack.google.com/pack/pack_installer.html

didn't work. I took me to a login page but not any further. Guess we'll have to see tomorrow.

 

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