Chromebook to the rescue - Linus Torvalds

[RKP5637]

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.

[Phillip McCleod]

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

..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]

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

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]

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

..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]

6. Arch Linux !!!

Another archer among the DU Debian/Ubuntu horde.

[Phillip McCleod]

7. hell yeh..

..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]

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

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]

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

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.