Blog de Joe Freeman

Chrome OS is not just for kids and coffee tables. It can provide a useful Linux platform too. Crostini brings a secure linux environment to Chrome OS.  Sophisticated development and deployments can be created with Docker containers running inside in this environment.  Chrome OS is capable of running Anaconda, Jupyter notebooks and other containers on many different developer machines. I run CloudReady Chrome OS on a Dell E7x40 to great effect.  References Chromebook firebase setup guide Cloud Ready running Docker without Crostini or VirtualBox Crostini forums on reddit Install docker-compse on Ubuntu Run Linux programs on ChromeBook with Crostini Hackernoon  Pixelbook Revisited: Running Docker Containers Running the shell and connecting Chrome to docker apps Install and run Docker in Crostini All testing was done on CloudReady running on a Dell E7240. I was able to run anaconda/Python and other docker-compose using docker-compose.yml files my...

Chromebooks have a security model that traditional laptop OS makes are still struggling to broadly implement. Chrome OS (Chromebook) is one of the more secure platforms for web browsing and web applications restricting users to a limited set of high level APIs. Power users   and developers often belittle the system because they are unable to install and run arbitrary applications. The ChromeOS and Chromium teams have resisted unbridled execution of the Linux programs because that would weaken the security profile of Chrome based devices.  ChromeOS/Chromium  as now addressed this issue by providing secure sandboxed environments that execute Linux programs that are highly isolated from the Chrome operating system. Chromebooks, including CloudReady devices, now support isolated  Crostini  Linux containers with only a single preference setting.  Crostini Linux runs in a sandboxed Linux Container inside a Linux VM.  Programs running inside Cr...

We've been conducting a long term "family" test on our coffee table for the past year or so. Our test subjects include an IPad (2), an HP Chromebook 14' and a Windows 8 (Winbook) 10" tablet. The devices are primarily used for web surfing, news reading, basic word games, social media and research when people need to prove they are right as part of a discussion. Our previous coffee table device was a Macbook Air that has been appropriated for other uses. Chromebook #1 Coffee Table We've been surprised how much we like this device. A Chromebook takes some getting used to at first because you don't install any software on it and you don't have to do any patches.  Software hacks like me are initially completely lost when getting a new Chromebook.  You don't have to install software because you can't install software.  It is the closest thing to an appliance.  This Wi-Fi and T-Mobile enabled Chromebook has become the house go-to devic...

Walmart sells an HP Chromebook 14 with T-Mobile 3G for $350.  The unit comes with 4GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD.  The SSD is way more than you need as an average Chromebook user.  Microcenter currently has the same Chromebook without the T-Mobile 3G for $250 with a 16GB SSD and $270 with a 32GB SSD.  Linux heads and other nerds, like me, always want to upgrade their devices. I recommend that you just a unit with the size SSD you think you can live with.  Upgrading a Chromebook 14 NGFF SSD is not for the faint of heart .  There are a bunch of small cables and at least  13 screws on the back and 3-5 inside that have to be removed. The keyboard is clipped into the base of the unit.  Those clips must all be worked loose.  The motherboard with the SSD on it is held in via 3-4 screws, the heat pipe linkage  to the CPU behind the fan and the USB port openings on the left hand side Of course I didn't listen to my own advice and bought the C...