Google’s Chromebooks are becoming more common in the household. The Chromebook platform is a top seller for Amazon. Many schools and students use Chromebooks for education. A Chromebook is a simple, fast, and secure machine. It is supported by a strong tech giant that wants it to succeed. The Chrome OS has a cult following, and it is growing.

Why mention Chromebooks in this magazine? It is fairly common knowledge that Google’s Chrome OS operates off the Linux Kernel. Let’s take a brief history of the Chrome OS.

Les Chromebooks de chez Google deviennent de plus présent dans les foyers. Le Chromebook est un produit vedette pour Amazon. Beaucoup d'écoles et d'étudiants utilisent des Chromesbooks. Un Chromebook est une machine simple, rapide et sécurisée. Ce produit est supporté par un géant de la haute-technologie qui veut son succès. Chrome OS donne lieu à un véritable culte et ce sentiment est en croissance.

Pourquoi parler des Chromebooks dans ce magasine ? Il est assez connu que Chrome OS, le système d'exploitation développé par Google, est articulé autour du noyau Linux. Dressons un bref historique de Chrome OS.

The Chrome OS is a refined and polished corporate product that is downstream from the open source Chromium OS project. This project is the raw developer mode to Chrome OS. I recommend visiting the Chromium website if you want further information. The Chromium developers recommend using Ubuntu 14.04 LTS as the starting point. Google points out that many of its developers use Ubuntu as the base to Chromium. However any Linux distro will work for developing. If you are not a developer, but would still like to help Google, you can be a beta tester for upcoming Chrome OS releases.

Additionally, Canonical was contracted in 2010 to help develop certain aspects to the Chrome OS.There is a list of open source projects that helped create the OS. The Chrome OS can be considered a streamlined Ubuntu derivative in some aspects.

There are core differences between Chromium and Chrome OS. The latter encompasses cloud computing. You work within the Chrome Browser with various apps. The Chrome OS is optimized when it is connected to the internet. Chromium is a true desktop environment with access to full software programs; Linux packages are not Chrome OS compatible. The Chrome OS is found only on Google products. Chromium can be installed onto any laptop since it is open sourced. Chrome OS receives security and system updates, whereas Chromium does not. Anyone with a Gmail account can log in to a Chromebook, Chromium does not have this feature. It takes less than 7 seconds from login to the desktop.

There are limitations to a Chromebook, but the functionality trumps these issues. The Linux Kernel provides a strong base for Chrome OS. Various projects can be created using Google Docs, and some people even code with a Chromebook. I am not a coder, so I cannot comment on that aspect. However there are some items to ponder: • Each Chromebook has an end-of-life date of 4 or 5 years from date of OEM manufacture. • Some apps can be invasive. • Chrome OS is not a full desktop environment. • Not all peripheral devices are supported. • Cloud Printing can be a hassle to set up. • Cloud computing does not meet all of the demands of a full Linux Desktop Distro. • Google Web Store has limited number of apps. • No large internal storage options for data. • Long term Cloud Storage can be costly.

Functionality that helps promote Chromebook adoption: • Streamlined OS based off the Linux Kernel. • Supported by a large corporate entity. • Crouton can be enabled to use Ubuntu LTS 14.04. • Long battery life for daily use. • Fairly intuitive GUI. • Chrome OS can utilize Android Apps. • Easy software updates. • Built in-virus protection

I previously mentioned my Toshiba Chromebook 2 is a backup to my openSUSE HP 15 Notebook. The retail price on both laptops hovers at $250.00. A quick comparison between these two laptops illustrates the generalized hardware differences. See the table on the next page.

Since the Toshiba Chromebook is light on hardware I suggest owning the following items.

There are 4 peripheral devices recommended for any Chromebook. • USB Hub to expand the number of USB slots. • USB Ethernet adapter in case Wifi is not available. • Wireless mouse to prevent touchpad frustration for the end user. • External DVD-Rom Drive. • External storage using a USB Thumb Drive or a SD card.

General Observations

The Chromebook is fast, but it takes some willingness to learn the “Chrome Workflow.”

openSUSE recognized my iPhone via USB and Bluetooth in every attempt to connect. My iPhone does not finalize the Bluetooth pairing to the Toshiba. Both rigs can tether to the iPhone extremely well. I wonder if an Android smartphone would work better with the Chromebook? Using Google Docs was not too bad, but I still like LibreOffice.

Some excellent Chrome-dedicated Resources:

www.chromium.org

www.practicalchrome.com now known as www.chromebooks.today.com www.omgchrome.com

www.gigaom.com search for Chrome Show

Future submissions will look into using Google Docs, Google Drive, Crouton, and various items pertaining to the Chrome OS.

BIO : SJ Webb is a Linux Hobbyist and Research Coordinator. He enjoys fishing, hot rodding, and spending time with his kids and wife. He thanks Mike Ferarri for his mentorship.