Pure JavaScript Unix-Like Web Based OS

slummy writes " JS/UIX 'is an UNIX-like OS for standard web-browsers, written entirely in JavaScript (no plug-ins used). It comprises a virtual machine, shell, virtual file-system, process-management, and brings its own terminal with screen- and keyboard-mapping.' If only you didn't need an OS to run the web browser on."

Uses?

[AKAImBatman]

That's kind of neat, but I am having some difficulty in deciding what it's useful for. Perhaps teaching Unix to new users? It is, after all, a "fake" environment that looks like the real thing.

Related to this (but much cooler), there used to be a site at WebOS.com where the site lauched a full-screen browser window and allowed you to interact with an entirely HTML desktop. Even the applications were downloaded on the fly, and the files were saved on the server.

SSH client?

[ahg]

An in browser SSH client in Java has been done before... but I would love one in Javascript, no extra components to install in the browser.

Irony

[AgentSlash]

Hmm. Ironically, your post sounds an aweful lot like a "I'm not clever or imaginive enough to come up with my own innovations so I'll just ridicule someone else who is." compensation device...

Some actual value here...

[AgentSlash]

Ok, I think it accomplishes at least a few useful things:

1. Corroborates the recent AJAX fad: establishes a very flashy metric illustrating some degree of robustness of JavaScript. If you can do an OS, you must be able to do some reasonably serious client apps, right? It's PR for "thick client" development which I happen to think we need more of and M$ thinks we need none of.
2. Might spark a lightbulb in someone's head that web-browser-side application development frameworks might be handy. (I kinda like command-line interfaces and now we can have them in web pages ;) ) Anyway, someone might try making a browser-side application development system that is easier to use than Java-Script for example.
3. Perhaps obliquely encourages the development of more refined user interfaces in web applications.

A lot of people apparently don't realize that web apps can be much more than just form submissions. This little stunt helps drive home just how powerful web apps can really be. All those middle-managers who aren't actually developers will perhaps start approving the development of more sophisticated user interfaces in web apps once they see how robust the browser environment can really be.

Java applets should have enabled this movement a long time ago, but at least people are getting a clue now.