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You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

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131–140 of 329 posts

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#131
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

apt-get is still the golden standard for installing apps on Linux because of its dependency resolution system, and being able to "sudo apt-get install " is a core use-case for end-users (i.e. students who are learning how to use Linux / code for the first time). Disclaimer: I work at Google, but not on Chrome OS.

Genuinely asking, what makes apt-get that much better than other package managers? Outside of Slackware I think good dependency resolution is pretty much universal at this point, and I can't say I've ever noticed any major problems with pacman, for instance.

Apt-get got there first. Debian does a pretty good job of trying to make upgrades work (which isn't really an apt thing, plenty of apt based distributions don't actually care to make upgrades work).

It's been a while, but my understanding is redhat figured out dependency resolution too, though.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#132
post #27

Tech journalists, especially, almost always fail to do even a tiny bit of research or due diligence. I mean... Crostini is not "new", it's been on dev channel for months[1]! But this article ending... hilarious icing on the cake. > "Now, it’s probably only a matter of hours before somebody starts running Windows apps in Chrome OS with the help of the Wine emulator." Someone should also tell them about running Crossov…

It is interesting. Linux (Chrome OS) will allow you to run Linux applications. And this whole set of applications belongs to which category? https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/overlays/chromi... Especially this one - Glibc. https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/overlays/chromi...

Linux the kernel is used by various different operating systems.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#133
post #2

Are there any good reasons why a developer would buy a Chromebook over some other laptop, unless they are developing for the Chromebook itself?

You can install GalliumOS [1] on a Chromebook for a full Debian-based Linux experience. I dual boot mine for certain apps I can't run under ChromeOS, but I'll be perfectly happy to stay in Chrome land once this Linux app thing gets pushed out to my chrmebook. For the most part, I'm doing heavy lifting on other machines I remote log into (graphical or shell). I've got LXC and KVM scripts [2] to spin up virtual Windows, MacOS, or Linux machines as dev environments on any Linux host, and then connect using ssh, x2go, or Chrome Remote Desktop. With this setup, I can comfortably do without a beefy laptop, and don't need to worry about taking proprietary/sensitive data through an airport.

[1] https://galliumos.org/

[2] https://github.com/kstenerud/virtual-builders

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#134
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I needed a machine to ssh from and have a browser. $250 acer chromebook with crouton mostly works. This is not my primary machine however. I only use it at home to ssh into my desktop once in a while.

On this price range, are there any advantages of using a Chromebook rather than purchasing an old refurbished business laptop such as x230? They seem to be going for the same price range.

not sure what the battery life on x230 is. I usually get 6-7 hours atleast on my current chromebook.

Besides this was an impulse purchase. I was tired of my home laptop and wanted something so I went to best buy and purchased it within half an hour. I can't say the same for x230.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#135
post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A metal body is heavy, prone to dents and attenuates radio. Why are you so keen on having one? The X1 Carbon is lighter, tougher and more serviceable than a MacBook Pro, in part because of a better choice of materials. As for trackpads, Apple keep making them larger and larger, so a ThinkPad trackpad is no smaller than a MacBook from a few years ago. The keyboard is surely the primary concern.

The trackpad is also terrible compared to modern MacBooks aside from the size. It flexes, feels worse and does not reliably track gestures. The whole thing feels stuck a decade ago.

Modern MacBooks have absolutely terrible keyboards. So unless you use it like an iPad, you'd be better off with a ThinkPad.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#136
post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Genuinely asking, what makes apt-get that much better than other package managers? Outside of Slackware I think good dependency resolution is pretty much universal at this point, and I can't say I've ever noticed any major problems with pacman, for instance.

Apt-get got there first. Debian does a pretty good job of trying to make upgrades work (which isn't really an apt thing, plenty of apt based distributions don't actually care to make upgrades work). It's been a while, but my understanding is redhat figured out dependency resolution too, though.

It's been a while since I've used it but yum used to tie up my machine pretty badly on significant upgrades. After reboot it could take hours to finish applying the upgrade, during which time the machine was usable. Apt has never given me that sort of trouble.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#137
Got super excited about this - I mean what’s not to like?!

Then, decided to check my other big usecase for when on the road - Netflix and other entertainment... total flop:

Resolution:

- Up to 1080p on Google Chrome

- Up to 480p on the Netflix app from the Google Play Store https://help.netflix.com/en/node/296

So if you want to save a movie for the flight, 480p is all you get...

Really wish we could get this functionality on iOS. iPad Pro is definitely big enough to code on. All it’s really missing is being able to run commandline tools.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#138
post #126
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a lot of confusion about what emulation means, and the name shifted to reflect that it will not, in fact, allow you to run your x86 Windows EXEs on a SPARC or PowerPC.

It's emulating the Windows libraries, not the CPU instructions.

That's like saying that Windows Explorer is emulating a filing cabinet with folders and files in it.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The trackpad is also terrible compared to modern MacBooks aside from the size. It flexes, feels worse and does not reliably track gestures. The whole thing feels stuck a decade ago.

> The whole thing feels stuck a decade ago. Says the macOS user... did you even get a newer version of bash yet? I heard even Debian stable has a newer bash version than macOS.

`brew install bash`

Software is trivial to upgrade and that's a very silly comparison to make.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#140

I think this is great. I bought a chromebook flip a couple of years ago, with the intention of putting Linux on it---only to find that the hardware is depressingly bad and the ARM processor makes the Linux experience terrible (had to install Arch, never did manage to make basic things like the JVM work right, eventually gave up on it). Since then, I've been very skeptical of the notion of buying chromebooks as cheap…

I was gonna suggest the Dell until I read the end of your message. I have one and haven't regretted the purchase. Pretty much everything works out of the box except for the fingerprint scanner.
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