Open News Episode 25 - Excercises

Comprehension questions

Goobontu confirmed

  1. What system is the Google OS based on?
    • It is based on Ubuntu Linux distribution.
  2. What does the speaker imply when he mentions filtering out entries about Tiananmen Square?
    • He implies that Google agreed to blue-pencil the information about the tragedy in Tiananmen Square when entering the Chinese market).
  3. Does Goobuntu present an immediate threat to the current popularity of the Microsoft Windows operating system?
    • No, because this system [Goobuntu] is designed only for internal use within Google and so far there is only a possibility that it will be distributed it to the general public).
  4. Which product will enable Google to play a more important role in the desktop applications market?
    • Google Pack, the collection of free, useful desktop applications

Windows as punishment

  1. What was Scott McCausland accused of?
    • he was accused of violating copyright law by downloading Star Wars Episode III illegally.
  2. How long did McCausland spend in prison?
    • five months.
  3. Why was McCausland forced to use the Microsoft Windows operating system?
    • he had to have monitoring software installed on his computer which was compatible only with Windows.
  4. What had Scott McCausland been accused of?
    • illegal BitTorrent use.

Possible topics for discussion

Goobontu confirmed

  1. What is the role of competition in the domestic and global market?
  2. Would Google’s operating system have a chance of winning a competition with Windows? Discuss how Google could make this happen.

Windows as punishment

  1. What is your opinion about a sentence that forces people to buy something?

See also: