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You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

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Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#241

Post by jacksmith21006 »

trumped wrote: post #155

Isn't Chrome OS based on Linux? so in other words, Google just removed restrictions that they added? I wonder what they added for this to be possible for their advertising company.

Yes ChromeOS is based on Linux. But no actually has nothing to do with how they implemented.

Instead they enabled the KVM on the ChromeOS Linux kernel. Then they implemented a second Linux kernel and then are using machine containers (LXC/LXD) on top of the VM.

This approach gets you container separation of GNU/Linux applications and then a container and a VM from the ChromeOS Linux kernel.

This gets you a very high level of security. Just love the approach. Should also get you instant GNU/Linux applications. Just click, container comes down, spins up, do what you need, disappears.

This also allows a power user to use the hook to do almost anything you can do with any GNU/Linux machine. But also provides a far more approachable way for new to GNU/Linux users to get into Linux.

Have a PB and used Wine, Steam, Docker and not had any problem using anything I would on a regular distro so far.

Would love to see MS and Apple to implement GNU/Linux the same way on their desktop OSs. You could have a standard. But doubt we will see it.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#242

Post by nickjj »

jacksmith21006 wrote: post #239
nickjj wrote: post #237

If anyone wants to run Linux apps on their Chromebook right now, you can just install GalliumOS. I think it's better than the VM solution that's mentioned in the article because GalliumOS gets installed natively, so there's no VM. You can choose to dual boot it with ChromeOS. It runs really well, and it's hyper optimized for Chromebooks. It's just a fork of xubuntu. I've been running it on my Chromebook for 2 years a…

You lose the security when using GalliumOS. Used all the methods to use GNU/Linux on a CB. From using Crouton, Gallium, GNURoot, Termux and now using this as have a PixelBook. In the US so our school uses Chromebooks which replaced all the Macs. Had to hack together a way to use the CBs for AP CS 1 and 2. But now it will have support built in. By far the best approach is what Google is doing here. Keep all the securi…

> You lose the security when using GalliumOS.

Depends on who is using it. For me (and I imagine most developers), it's not losing security. It's allowing us to set up a proper Linux development environment with no wasted resources or hacks.

It's no less secure than installing xubuntu or Ubuntu on a different device.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#243

Post by Y_Y »

jacksmith21006 wrote: post #239
nickjj wrote: post #237

If anyone wants to run Linux apps on their Chromebook right now, you can just install GalliumOS. I think it's better than the VM solution that's mentioned in the article because GalliumOS gets installed natively, so there's no VM. You can choose to dual boot it with ChromeOS. It runs really well, and it's hyper optimized for Chromebooks. It's just a fork of xubuntu. I've been running it on my Chromebook for 2 years a…

You lose the security when using GalliumOS. Used all the methods to use GNU/Linux on a CB. From using Crouton, Gallium, GNURoot, Termux and now using this as have a PixelBook. In the US so our school uses Chromebooks which replaced all the Macs. Had to hack together a way to use the CBs for AP CS 1 and 2. But now it will have support built in. By far the best approach is what Google is doing here. Keep all the securi…

Looks like someone's been training an AI to shill on HN. Please post your code, I have ideas for fixes.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#244

Post by jacksmith21006 »

iodiniemetra wrote: post #18
jphalimi wrote: post #7

"Google’s PM director for Chrome OS Kan Liu told me the company was obviously aware that people were using Crouton to do this before. But doing this also meant doing away with all of the security features that come with Google’s operating system." I don't know if I am the only one, but this one made me laugh.

Yes, disabling signed boot and allowing untrusted, unsandboxed code is what sets chromebooks apart from the competition. Of course, you can do away with these checks by entering developer mode.

Plus the automatic updating and even done in the background. Just pick it up next reboot.

True story. Son was turning his Win PC off for the night and it indicated do not shut off as updating. Told him just leave it on for the night. Wake up in the morning and still do not turn off updating. Just a terrible UX.

I am a huge fan of CBs. Now GNU/Linux support makes it that much better.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#245

Post by jacksmith21006 »

newnewpdro wrote: post #128

I assume the reason this is being abstracted behind a VM where the app must bring not just a userspace but its own kernel is because Chrome OS is about to become Fuchsia, and the only vestige of Linux on the future Chrome OS devices will be in a VM for niche applications. Hooray. This isn't more Linux, this is a compatibility step towards less Linux being spun as something else.

What? If the Linux support remains how is it "less Linux"? Linux is embedded inside ChromeOS and could be Fred and nobody would know any difference.

The complaining on HN is becoming just baffling. seems for the sake of just complaining.

We finally have a machine that support GNU/Linux applications out of the box and from the UI standpoint basically a first class citizen. But the most secure GNU/Linux machine you can get.

Honestly there is no reason the same technique being used by Google could not have been also done by MS and/or Apple.

Could even have been a standard. Click, container comes down, spins up, do what you need, disappears.

It is a bit insane we have basically the same hardware for Windows, Macs and ChromeOS and we make each different in the OS.

I get some CBs are ARM but really not as common as people think.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#246

Post by jacksmith21006 »

johnvega wrote: post #66

This is great. I've been exploring Chromebook for the first time, but immediately got it in dev mode, then installed ubuntu gnome using crouton (chroot). Then installed golang and vscode, chrome and firefox browsers, and some tweaking for keyboard. It's been okay for several weeks. I can switch back to ChromeOS and have TeamViewer and Windows Remote Desktop to access more powerful computers at home or VMs from the cl…

Acer 14 is an excellent machine. We have a bunch of them as have 8 kids and not had a single issue with a machine. I hand them to my kid and to not hear back which is my ideal. I am the house admin even though never applied for the job.

Purchased all Acer refurb for about $200 USD. One was $180.

You just can not get any other laptop that is all metal, peppy performance, incredible security, etc for so cheap.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#247

Post by jacksmith21006 »

nqzero wrote: post #99
jmagoon wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The other good thing about this is that the Pixelbook is a 3:2 screen, so finally there's a laptop with a proper display resolution that can run Linux nicely. There's a good community of folks over at https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/ who have been tinkering with this for quite some time.

huawei matebook x is 3:2 and runs linux nicely surface book appears to as well, but i don't have one of them to vouch for

This should be better battery life using GNU/Linux. The process the supports the VM runs under ChromeOS.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#248

Post by jacksmith21006 »

nickjj wrote: post #242
jacksmith21006 wrote: post #239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You lose the security when using GalliumOS. Used all the methods to use GNU/Linux on a CB. From using Crouton, Gallium, GNURoot, Termux and now using this as have a PixelBook. In the US so our school uses Chromebooks which replaced all the Macs. Had to hack together a way to use the CBs for AP CS 1 and 2. But now it will have support built in. By far the best approach is what Google is doing here. Keep all the securi…

> You lose the security when using GalliumOS. Depends on who is using it. For me (and I imagine most developers), it's not losing security. It's allowing us to set up a proper Linux development environment with no wasted resources or hacks. It's no less secure than installing xubuntu or Ubuntu on a different device.

Every user losses the security. Difference is some are more careful than others. But I am old, and should know better, but still run into things and much prefer something that has first class security.

But then also to get to do whatever I want on a machine AND have the security to me is ideal.

I have used Crouton for years and this will be far better.

Love the approach Google has taken and keeping security first and center.

BTW, what I like about this approach is the hacks are no longer necessary. No need to use Termux or GNURoot with a fake chroot. No need to put in developer mode any longer to use Crouton.

This is ideal for our High school for teaching AP CS 1 and 2.

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#249

Post by jacksmith21006 »

Y_Y wrote: post #243
jacksmith21006 wrote: post #239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You lose the security when using GalliumOS. Used all the methods to use GNU/Linux on a CB. From using Crouton, Gallium, GNURoot, Termux and now using this as have a PixelBook. In the US so our school uses Chromebooks which replaced all the Macs. Had to hack together a way to use the CBs for AP CS 1 and 2. But now it will have support built in. By far the best approach is what Google is doing here. Keep all the securi…

Looks like someone's been training an AI to shill on HN. Please post your code, I have ideas for fixes.

Sorry not following? "post your code"? What code?

Re: You can now run Linux apps on Chrome OS

#250

Post by iamnothere »

fareesh wrote: 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?

Here are my own reasons:

1. The security model is fantastic compared to the alternatives. DIY security is an endless distraction these days unless it's your full-time job. I am concerned that the team may not be able to keep things so secure as the complexity of Chrome OS increases, but as a starting point it's still the most secure commercial OS out there.

2. Little to no setup. Boot it up, log in, and you're ready. (And now, I guess, install whatever Linux apps you want.) This makes it easy to recover from hardware failure, even if you're on the road. Just go take one off the shelf, no worries about installation, configuration, etc.

3. Disposability. Most Chromebooks are incredibly cheap. If it breaks or if you lose it, it's not the end of the world.

4. Easy, safe sharing. If someone needs to borrow a computer to check their email, you can log out and hand it to them. Your stuff is securely encrypted, and the system is hardened against compromise. This may not be a big deal for everyone, but it brings me great peace of mind!

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