要信任下一代 - 羅錫為
我們相信下一代嗎？我們有多信任他們？
十年前，我接受一福音機構的聘請回流香港，要把大女兒留在加拿大讀高中最後一年。臨別前，想向她講一番做人道理，她卻對我說︰「爸爸，你對自己從前所說過的話沒信心嗎？」
至於小女兒，她則隨我們夫婦回港，在國際學校唸高中。有時夜歸，做父親的我想給她訓導一下。誰知她這樣說︰「爸爸，你不信任我嗎？」
我的教會自上一任主任牧師以來，已談到栽培下一代作接棒人。我上任後繼續談這個問題，成立領袖培訓委員會，編寫領袖培練材料，卻未有「新一代」的信徒領袖冒現。為何年青一輩不成器？原因是上一代的領袖對下一代沒信心，也其實是對自己不夠信心。
有怎樣的領袖，就有怎樣的追隨者。而追隨者或有一天會當起「領頭羊」。信徒領袖和教牧領袖的交棒過程都一樣，而愈大的教會，愈不放心把責任交給年青人。
在大教會裡，不到四十歲，沒有人認為他有資格當執事、值理。今天教會的領袖，多數是在上一個世紀，乘著香港起飛而上位，在位超過四分一世紀。但是，誰是接班人？在老一輩眼中，年青人都「不夠班」，在職場上自顧不暇，人生經驗都大有不如，遑論才幹、靈性、魄力、和事主的熱誠……
警告︰這種對年青人的不信任心態，正是領袖「換屆」的最大的窒礙！
我們這些老一輩的，要信任，提攜年青人，給他們機會。沒錯，年青人容易犯錯。但誰沒犯過錯？他們確是未夠火喉，但誰生下來就懂得帶領教會？把棒子交給他們，最暢順的方法，是與他們並肩作戰，讓他們跟著去學。摩西就是這樣提拔和栽培了約書亞。
可是，約書亞提攜了誰當接班人？可從約書亞記的「續編」士師記學習一個教訓。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
世人行動實係幻影。他們忙亂，真是枉然。積聚財富，不知將來有誰收取﹖Surely a man egoes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (詩篇Ps39:6)
Monday, July 13, 2009
THEY are different from what you think - from Christian Times 09.07.05
他們不是你想像的他們 - 余子麟
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Brenda Lo - from Christian Times 09.07.05
盧業瑂
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Uneasy dream lines
This morning we walk around 25 mins back to AFC.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Jesus was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them-- since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong--not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Google takes aim at Windows
Google takes aim at Windows
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
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