People over at digg are all over it: Google Pack.
Google Pack is a free collection of essential software from Google and other companies. The software in the Google Pack helps you browse the web faster, remove spyware and viruses, organize your photos, and more.
It’s the kind of thing that should be helpful on a new Windows PC. What’s in it?
Google Software
* Google Desktop
* Google Earth
* Google Pack Screensaver
* Google Talk
* Google Toolbar
* PicasaOther Software
* Ad-Aware SE Personal
* Adobe Reader 7
* GalleryPlayer HD Images
* Mozilla Firefox
* Norton AntiVirus 2005 SE
* RealPlayer
* Trillian
Norton? RealPlayer? No wonder people are raising their eyebrows over this. Also, I don’t think there’ll be huge hurrahs from the FOSS movement, too. However, Google gives us a good option:
Do I have to install all the software in the Google Pack?
While we believe you’ll find all of the software in the Google Pack useful, you’re welcome to install as much or as little as you’d like. To customize your installation package, please click the “Add or remove software” link under the download button on the Google Pack homepage. On the Customize page, simply uncheck the box next to any program you’d prefer not to install and click the “Continue” button to complete the installation process.
I do wonder if and how head Googler Larry Page will market this product over at his CES keynote.