Open Source and Free Software

RKP5637

(67,112 posts) Thu May 9, 2013, 07:30 AM May 2013

Chromebook to the rescue - Linus Torvalds

https://www.infoworld.com/d/open-source-software/the-linux-desktop-already-the-new-normal-217818?source=IFWNLE_nlt_openenterprise_2013-05-08

Meanwhile, Linus Torvalds has a different avenue for hope: Google's Chromebook. This actually is a Linux desktop computer with only one application, the Chrome browser. The hardware itself is perfectly capable of running other Linux distributions -- which is what Torvalds does -- but out of the box, it's running a stripped-down, single-function Linux system that's easily maintained and secured centrally.

I've been using Chromebooks personally and for my business for the last six months, and I can state firmly it's the Linux desktop I've been waiting for. I tried many other approaches, but found every other Linux desktop solution required too much effort to maintain. The Chromebooks (and one Chromebox) we have in the office deliver all the functions we need, without becoming the security nightmare you expect of Windows -- and without the constant patronizing lock-in that's manifesting itself on the Mac these days and without becoming the new hobby we'd expect from a raw Linux distro.

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Chromebook to the rescue - Linus Torvalds (Original Post) RKP5637 May 2013 OP

well that *settles* it then. if *Linus* says its the shit.. Phillip McCleod May 2013 #1

Oooh, another Linus flame coming this summer to a kernel listserv near you toddaa May 2013 #3

that doesn't give me much time to jump on the bandwagon.. Phillip McCleod May 2013 #5

Arch Linux !!! toddaa May 2013 #6

hell yeh.. Phillip McCleod May 2013 #7

I'll stay with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. It's been real good to me with no hassles... L0oniX May 2013 #2

I run Mint 13 on the systems here, pretty much the same, Ubuntu works RKP5637 May 2013 #4

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)

1. well that *settles* it then. if *Linus* says its the shit..

Reply to RKP5637 (Original post)

Thu May 9, 2013, 08:34 AM

May 2013

..it *is* the shit.

it was on the shop's 'wish list'. we just got a capital influx, so maybe i ought to move it into the 'need list'.

i'll let you know how it goes when i get my hands on one.

toddaa

(2,518 posts)

3. Oooh, another Linus flame coming this summer to a kernel listserv near you

Reply to Phillip McCleod (Reply #1)

Thu May 9, 2013, 05:40 PM

May 2013

He's notoriously fickle when it comes to the Linux desktop. At one time he was pushing KDE, of all things. I expect we'll see a famous Linus profanity laced post in about 6 months on how horribly Google is wrecking his kernel. I hope it's as epic as his NVidia or UEFI boot loader key flameouts.

Of course, nothing will ever top his rant on C++ http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/57918

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)

5. that doesn't give me much time to jump on the bandwagon..

Reply to toddaa (Reply #3)

Thu May 9, 2013, 08:42 PM

May 2013

..before he jumps off.

thing about the chromebook is it's just hardware.. don't like the OS? don't like looking at the world through a browser? just install your favorite linux distro on it, instead. anyhow that's my plan.

in my case that will be Arch Linux ARM.
http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv7/samsung-chromebook

toddaa

(2,518 posts)

6. Arch Linux !!!

Reply to Phillip McCleod (Reply #5)

Fri May 10, 2013, 07:04 AM

May 2013

Another archer among the DU Debian/Ubuntu horde.

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)

7. hell yeh..

Reply to toddaa (Reply #6)

Fri May 10, 2013, 07:19 AM

May 2013

..course.. the debian/ubuntu horde is nothing compared to the .. ugh.. *windows* mob. at least the debian/ubuntu & mint users have the good sense to use linux!

L0oniX

(31,493 posts)

2. I'll stay with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. It's been real good to me with no hassles...

Reply to RKP5637 (Original post)

Thu May 9, 2013, 10:18 AM

May 2013

and a lot of free and good software. Linus doesn't make any mention of available software and I ain't going back to rpms. The other biggy is that between a Mac and Linux there is Unix/BSD with its desktops. Ubuntu (Unix flavor) uses the BSD kernel and KDE or Gnome desktop, both have been around for many years. Mac OS is just a customized BSD with a customized desktop. Ubuntu offers long term support LTS versions. ...and "hobby"? WTF yea well most are not going to go with some obscure linux os. Anyone can check http://distrowatch.com and see where the trend is. I'd rate that article about 50% fact, the rest is just flotsum jetsum. If all you need is a damned browser you can use your phone for that already. Linus may be full of himself at this point. Unix was around way before him. pfffft

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

4. I run Mint 13 on the systems here, pretty much the same, Ubuntu works

Reply to L0oniX (Reply #2)

Thu May 9, 2013, 07:18 PM

May 2013

exceptionally well! I've been running various Linux distros since day one and grew up with Unix. Well, windows was something to me one had in their house. I picked up a Chromebook recently, a Samsung. I've been very impressed with it as a secondary device. I've also been using it on the road at wifi hotspots together with a VPN. I've been impressed with that too. I'm in the boat of if it's Linux it's great ... and to me it just keeps getting better and better.

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