Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
I came across a free computer at work. It was being trashed since it had a slow and corrupt HDD, and the computer is 5 plus years old. The computer is a Lenovo SL500. It is heavy and would function well as a new project. I will call this project the Brickbook. The goal is to develop a cheap cloud laptop that mirrors a Chromebook experience.
The Brickbook is powered by 2GB RAM and Intel Centrino. The Brickbook processor operates at 2.0 GHz. The Acer C720 Chromebook is powered by 2GB RAM and Intel Celeron. The Celeron operates at 1.4 Ghz. Now let's ignore the size and weight differences between the Acer and Lenovo. The Acer is nicer and a bit more mobile, and with a better battery. The Brickbook battery life is 45 minutes. I did order another 2GB RAM to ramp the machine up to 4GB RAM.
Many of the cloud distros I reviewed previously were based on Ubuntu. I could install Peppermint OS; however it uses Ubuntu 14.04 Software Center. I am not a fan of Ubuntu’s Software Center since it is unmaintained. I am positive when Peppermint OS releases its next LTS, I might reinstall it onto the Brickbook.
Consequently, I loaded Ubuntu MATE 16.04 onto the Brickbook. I like App Grid and Software Boutique offered by Ubuntu MATE, so I can access my favorite programs like Openshot and LibreOffice. Ubuntu MATE did a nice job of resolving the Software Center Fiasco with App Grid.
The machine ran well and it was quick after booting, but it did not feel like a cloud distro. I decided to try Mageia and meld it into a hybrid cloud OS. Mageia allows the user to choose which packages and DE to install. In this case I chose LXDE and internet station. I did a network install, so it will have all of the updates. I really wished there was an Ubuntu derivative that allows a person to choose which packages they wanted installed onto their laptop during setup.
After the LXDE display manager, I saw Firefox as my default web browser. I was able to install Syncthing directly from their site. I enabled the Zenmate VPN, Ghostery and Pushbullet Extensions into Firefox. However, Peppermint’s ICE or another SSB were not options for Mageia. I use Google Docs and Google Drive for my office suite. If I wanted other office suite software, I could use the Mageia Control Center to enable new repos and download the needed software.
By using Firefox I minimize my interaction with Google’s tracking. I also created a Lycos email account. I am quite happy with the performance of the Brickbook, except for booting. The BIOS takes a long time. I have created a laptop that follows the lightware software philosophy of the Chrome OS via Mageia LXDE. If I still owned my old netbook, the Mageia LXDE would be a great OS to emulate a Chromebook. Now I digress on the Brickbook hardware not being a feather-lite laptop. The Brickbook weighs a bit, but I have 4 USB 2.0 slots, SD Card Slot, HDMI port, and a disk drive. The Acer C720 has one SD Card and 2 USB slots.
Additionally, this Brickbook is a great option for the current Chromebook Ecosphere. However this upcoming fall, the Chrome OS will have access to the Google Play Store. This event will shift the Chrome OS focus to have more native apps instead being cloud based. The Google Play Store will allow Android Apps become a part of the Chrome OS. If you have not heard, Chromebooks are now outselling Macs.
Next month, I will review SSH and Network Attached Storage using a Chromebook.