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Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

console.cloud.google.com

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Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#11

Post by sfev »

_wmd wrote: post #2

If they just took the staff time poured into this toy and devoted it to fixing up the morass that is the GCloud web UI's Javascript, something actually useful might have come out of those salaries. Meanwhile, we have a bloaty CPU hog of a web UI and some wannabe terminal emulator hack. Tacking an emulator for a 1950s teletype on the side of a web app is not innovation, so sad!

Actually if you’re frustrated with the web ui then just drop into a cloud shell instance and do everything from there “in the command line”

And even though the UI can be a bit sluggish at times i can’t say AWS was any better last time I used it

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#12

Post by alberts00 »

jwilk wrote: post #6

It's available for to anyone that has a Google account. You don't have to be a "Gmail user".

You do need to register as a business if you are located in EMEA. There is no private/personal option. This is a huge showstopper for me and, in my opinion, anyone who wants to use it for educational purposes.

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#14

Post by insomniacity »

alberts00 wrote: post #12
jwilk wrote: post #6

It's available for to anyone that has a Google account. You don't have to be a "Gmail user".

You do need to register as a business if you are located in EMEA. There is no private/personal option. This is a huge showstopper for me and, in my opinion, anyone who wants to use it for educational purposes.

I recall there was a specific reason for this - does anyone else know why? Is Google working on the legal/tax implications of fixing it?

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#15

Post by JorgeGT »

insomniacity wrote: post #14
alberts00 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You do need to register as a business if you are located in EMEA. There is no private/personal option. This is a huge showstopper for me and, in my opinion, anyone who wants to use it for educational purposes.

I recall there was a specific reason for this - does anyone else know why? Is Google working on the legal/tax implications of fixing it?

I believe it's individual VAT handling. They've solved it for EU citizens but for instance, about Russia, it still says [1]:

"In Russia, Google Cloud Platform services can be used only for business purposes. Warning: If the sole purpose for which you want to use Google Cloud Platform services has no potential economic benefit you should discontinue your use of the service"

It used to say the same thing about EU citizens for a while. The line about "no potential economic benefit" is pretty bizarre as far as far as I've seen...

---

[1] https://cloud.google.com/billing/docs/resources/vat-overview...

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#16

Post by thesandlord »

tritium wrote: post #13

Does this have something specific to do with Gmail? Or is it just that it’s another thing (a separate, independent feature of your Google account) that you get for free, as part of being a Gmail user?

This has nothing to do with Gmail. It is part of Google Cloud. Both Gmail and GCP use your Google Account. The title is misleading.

(I work for Google Cloud)

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#17

Post by thesandlord »

wklm wrote: post #9

can I ssh into it? does it have a public ip?

If you want a free Linux box with a Public IP and SSH, I'd recommend spinning up an f1-micro VM. It's part of the permanent free tier:

https://cloud.google.com/free/

Cloud Shell is a "temporary" instance, really meant for interactive Dev/Admin work.

(I work for GCP)

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#19

Post by derefr »

And if you'd rather use something on a higher level of abstraction, there's also Google Apps Script (https://www.google.com/script/start/)

From one way of thinking, Apps Script is a lot like AWS Lambda; but from another way of thinking, Apps Script is more like OS automation workflows that happen to run in your cloud account rather than on your computer.

Re: Free Linux cloud shell for Gmail users

#20

Post by ryancnelson »

ryancnelson wrote: post #18

is this down at the moment? (Sat Jan 27 23:18:48 UTC 2018) the ux seems to be hanging, trying to contact https://ssh.cloud.google.com ... "slashdotted?", or whatever the hackernews term for that is?

... of course, moments after i posted this comment, it started responding again. Growing pains, I suppose, or temporary burp.
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