Howdy!

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

At two stores I turned one On and nothing was on the screen but a list
to choose from.

Since I didn't have an account I chose "Guest".

I can't remember if next the Chrome Browser was on the screen or if the
screen didn't have anything on it.
Anyway, after I closed the Chrome Browser the screen was empty.

My question is: If I had created an Account on the Chromebook would there
be any thing (Programs, etc.) on the screen after I Logged on the Account?

Thanks in advance.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... Have you checked your smoke detector batteries & Fire Ext, LATELY?!
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Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to All on Fri Jan 03 2020 10:58 am

Howdy!

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

At two stores I turned one On and nothing was on the screen but a list
to choose from.

Since I didn't have an account I chose "Guest".

I can't remember if next the Chrome Browser was on the screen or if the screen didn't have anything on it.
Anyway, after I closed the Chrome Browser the screen was empty.

My question is: If I had created an Account on the Chromebook would there
be any thing (Programs, etc.) on the screen after I Logged on the Account?

Yes. The window manager / user interface is the browser (and its "apps"). You can also run Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks if you're interested in that
kind of thing.

They work pretty well in general (long battery life, boot fast, stable), but I haven't seen one yet with a high quality display. Also, you're (by default, anyway) trapped in the Google walled-garden.

digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #29:
I find lost luggage. I locate mandolin strings in the middle of Austin!
Norco, CA WX: 68.5øF, 37.0% humidity, 6 mph E wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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On 03 Jan 2020, Ed Vance said the following...

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

At two stores I turned one On and nothing was on the screen but a list

Chromebooks are really only handy if:
1. You do everything remotely from the web.
2. You have an internet connection.
3. Love Google

I have a chromebook which I use for work. Also a Windows laptop (and my desktop). The funny thing is I really hate Google Docs and so use the online version of Office 365 when I'm on it. Surf the web, check email, etc. It's
much smaller and lighter than my laptop which is why I like it for work and travel. I use my phone as a hotspot (T-Mobile) or a VZW hotspot for bad
signal areas.

Even though I prefer Windows I can still do most of my work strictly through the Chrome browser.

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

On 03 Jan 2020, Rob Swindell said the following...

Yes. The window manager / user interface is the browser (and its
"apps"). You can also run Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks if
you're interested in that kind of thing.

Mine's a bit older so can't run any of the Android apps unfortunately.

Still a useful tool though.

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

Re: The Chromebook
By: Richard Miles to Rob Swindell on Fri Jan 03 2020 06:59 pm

On 03 Jan 2020, Rob Swindell said the following...

Yes. The window manager / user interface is the browser (and its "apps"). You can also run Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks if you're interested in that kind of thing.

Mine's a bit older so can't run any of the Android apps unfortunately.

Still a useful tool though.

Yup. I failed to run Linux apps on mine, but ended up giving it to my teenage daughter anyway (and she's happy with the available Chrome "apps"). Amazing what you can do with a $200 system though.

digital man

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #22:
DSL = Digital Subscriber Line
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On 03 Jan 2020, Rob Swindell said the following...

"apps"). Amazing what you can do with a $200 system though.

Oh, definitely. For the price it's a lot faster than a normal laptop at twice the $

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

On 1/3/2020 9:12 PM, between "Richard Miles : Rob Swindell":

"apps"). Amazing what you can do with a $200 system though.

Oh, definitely. For the price it's a lot faster than a normal laptop at
twice the $

Can you do anything local on those machines? Or, does everything
require a live internet connection?

../|ug

--- Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (Windows/20100228)
* Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)

On 04 Jan 2020, August Abolins said the following...

Can you do anything local on those machines? Or, does everything
require a live internet connection?

Depends on what you are wanting to do. I can access stuff on my local network such as documents, files, etc. There is a chrome ssh extension and I occasionally use it to get into a couple of headless machines in my basement.

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

01-03-20 13:07 Rob Swindell wrote to Ed Vance about The Chromebook
Howdy! Rob,

@MSGID: <5E0FD5EE.1959.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E0F6573.1958.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to All on Fri Jan 03 2020 10:58 am

Howdy!

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

-snip-

My question is: If I had created an Account on the Chromebook would there
be any thing (Programs, etc.) on the screen after I Logged on the Account?

Yes. The window manager / user interface is the browser (and its
"apps"). You can also run Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks if
you're interested in that kind of thing.

So am I correct, the Chrome Browser is the only Program included with the Chrome O/S?

They work pretty well in general (long battery life, boot fast,
stable), but I haven't seen one yet with a high quality display. Also, you're (by default, anyway) trapped in the Google walled-garden.

On this XP pc I use Firefox with the NoScript Add-On and most websites I
visit the NoScript dropdown list has Google this, Google that etc....

Google: Analytics, Gstatic and many others that want my TEMPORARILY OK
when I visit the pages.
So I live in the Google walled-garden when I'm on the internet.

I'm not so sure about ALLOWING all of those Google thingy's instead of selecting Temporarily Allow on the sites I visit.

It would take less time for a page to load if those Google Thingy's were
marked Allow in NoScript.

What do You do?

And there is DOUBLECLICK always asking permission, but I don't do that.

I've been thinking about marking JQuery, Cloudflare and a few others as
ALLOWED in NoScript.

There are others I need to read up about to see if they too need to be
ALLOWED also. Bootstrap maybe?

Is there a Chrome O/S Emulator for Windows where I could run it on a
"Live CD"?
I could play some with some of the things my Chromebook Friend uses and
be more knowledgeable talking to him about his computer.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... Every day is a fresh start; a new chance to mess it up.
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01-03-20 18:58 Richard Miles wrote to Ed Vance about The Chromebook
Howdy! Richard,

@MSGID: <5E100E18.1960.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E0F6573.1958.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
On 03 Jan 2020, Ed Vance said the following...

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

At two stores I turned one On and nothing was on the screen but a list

Chromebooks are really only handy if:
1. You do everything remotely from the web.
2. You have an internet connection.
3. Love Google

After putting Programs from the Google website on a Chromebook can the
Programs be used without being connected to the internet? aka Offline?

I have a chromebook which I use for work. Also a Windows laptop (and my desktop). The funny thing is I really hate Google Docs and so use the online version of Office 365 when I'm on it. Surf the web, check email, etc. It's much smaller and lighter than my laptop which is why I like
it for work and travel. I use my phone as a hotspot (T-Mobile) or a VZW hotspot for bad signal areas.

Even though I prefer Windows I can still do most of my work strictly through the Chrome browser.

Appreciate the 1. 2. 3. and comments about it being lighter than a Notebook.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities. - Pogo
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On 04 Jan 2020, Ed Vance said the following...

After putting Programs from the Google website on a Chromebook can the Programs be used without being connected to the internet? aka Offline?

Some of them probably. You can load ChromeOS in a virtualbox to try out and
see the results. Another good tryout is, spend a couple of hours only using stuff you can access from the "Apps" button in the top left toolbar in
Chrome. Only use stuff from there, resist the urge to go to the Windows menu
or command prompt for anything. If you find that comfortable and everything
you need is there then you might be a good Chromebook candidate.

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

Re: Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to Richard Miles on Sat Jan 04 2020 21:31:00

Chromebooks are really only handy if:
1. You do everything remotely from the web.
2. You have an internet connection.
3. Love Google

After putting Programs from the Google website on a Chromebook can the Programs be used without being connected to the internet? aka Offline?

no... you have to log into your google account when you open the chromebook... there is no offline mode at all...

FWIW: i have an HP branded one here... it works pretty well but i miss some of the features that my tablet and phone have...

eg: GPS and magnetic orientation

my i5 iOS phone can tell me which direction i'm facing which is great for astronomy programs... my Lenovo tablet cannot... both can tell me the angle i'm
looking into the sky... i haven't tried my chromebook with an astronomy program
but i know that i cannot use google drive as a GPS like i can my tablet...

if i'm lost in the woods? i hope i have my phone and its battery lasts long enough to get me out of the woods... neither my tablet nor chromebook can get me out of that situation by themselves... i mention again about the chromebook needing network access, too... as much as i hate it, my iphone is a much needed
survival tool outside a real compass and paper/laminated map...


)\/(ark
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Re: Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to Rob Swindell on Sat Jan 04 2020 09:25 pm

01-03-20 13:07 Rob Swindell wrote to Ed Vance about The Chromebook
Howdy! Rob,

@MSGID: <5E0FD5EE.1959.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E0F6573.1958.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to All on Fri Jan 03 2020 10:58 am

Howdy!

A Chromebook user told me I should get one.

-snip-

My question is: If I had created an Account on the Chromebook would there be any thing (Programs, etc.) on the screen after I Logged on the Account?

Yes. The window manager / user interface is the browser (and its "apps"). You can also run Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks if you're interested in that kind of thing.

So am I correct, the Chrome Browser is the only Program included with the Chrome O/S?

Pretty much, though Chrome plugins can look like "Programs" to the user.

Is there a Chrome O/S Emulator for Windows where I could run it on a
"Live CD"?

Yes: https://www.howtogeek.com/128575/how-to-run-chrome-os-from-a-usb-drive-and-use-it-on-any-computer/


digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #29:
Rob Swindell first called BBSes (at 300bps) with an Apple II computer in 1982. Norco, CA WX: 69.4øF, 36.0% humidity, 3 mph E wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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01-05-20 05:26 Richard Miles wrote to Ed Vance about The Chromebook
Howdy! Richard,

@MSGID: <5E120878.1968.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E114AC8.1967.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
On 04 Jan 2020, Ed Vance said the following...

After putting Programs from the Google website on a Chromebook can the Programs be used without being connected to the internet? aka Offline?

Some of them probably. You can load ChromeOS in a virtualbox to try out and see the results. Another good tryout is, spend a couple of hours
only using stuff you can access from the "Apps" button in the top left toolbar in Chrome. Only use stuff from there, resist the urge to go to
the Windows menu or command prompt for anything. If you find that comfortable and everything you need is there then you might be a good Chromebook candidate.

Thanks for telling me about the Apps button on the Chromebook.
I'll look for that next time I play with one in a store.

Can ChromeOS run in a virtualbox on a XP pc?

I've read that ChromeOS doesn't offer a version for XP anymore as they did
with the earlier versions.

My other pc has Vista, the ChromeOS in a VM might run on it.

I use this XP desktop pc more often.

While I'm chatting about Chromebooks I'm wondering if something like a Spreadsheet either from the Google Store or OpenOffice or LibreOffice could
be used without a internet connection to Google?

I sure wouldn't want to be using the Internet for personal stuff I would
use a Spreadsheet for.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... There is always one more thing for Me to learn...
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01-05-20 07:57 mark lewis wrote to Ed Vance about Re: The Chromebook
Howdy! Mark,

@MSGID: <5E120878.1969.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E114AC8.1967.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
Re: Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to Richard Miles on Sat Jan 04 2020 21:31:00

Chromebooks are really only handy if:
1. You do everything remotely from the web.
2. You have an internet connection.
3. Love Google

After putting Programs from the Google website on a Chromebook can the Programs be used without being connected to the internet? aka Offline?

no... you have to log into your google account when you open the chromebook... there is no offline mode at all...

O.K. Thanks.

FWIW: i have an HP branded one here... it works pretty well but i miss some of the features that my tablet and phone have...

The one(s) I tried were 15 inch Acers because that is what my friend uses.

eg: GPS and magnetic orientation

my i5 iOS phone can tell me which direction i'm facing which is great
for astronomy programs... my Lenovo tablet cannot... both can tell me
the angle i'm looking into the sky... i haven't tried my chromebook
with an astronomy program but i know that i cannot use google drive as
a GPS like i can my tablet...

if i'm lost in the woods? i hope i have my phone and its battery lasts long enough to get me out of the woods... neither my tablet nor
chromebook can get me out of that situation by themselves... i mention again about the chromebook needing network access, too... as much as i hate it, my iphone is a much needed survival tool outside a real
compass and paper/laminated map...

I have a GoPhone but I called and asked to have Data and Messaging Turned
Off on it.
I use it as a Ten Cent a Minute Telephone when away from home.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... I looked in my mailbox today and it was empty just like my head.
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01-05-20 13:29 Rob Swindell wrote to Ed Vance about Re: The Chromebook
Howdy! Rob,

@MSGID: <5E1278F8.1970.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
@REPLY: <5E114AC8.1966.windowsb@capitolcityonline.net>
Re: Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to Rob Swindell on Sat Jan 04 2020 09:25 pm

-sbip-

So am I correct, the Chrome Browser is the only Program included with the Chrome O/S?

Pretty much, though Chrome plugins can look like "Programs" to the
user.

Is there a Chrome O/S Emulator for Windows where I could run it on a
"Live CD"?

Yes: https://www.howtogeek.com/128575/how-to-run-chrome-os-from-a-usb-drive-a nd-use-it-on-any-computer/

Thanks, 73 de Ed W9ODR . .


... Here On Earth Computers Alway Win Because They Have Inside Information
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In a message on 01-04-20 Ed Vance said to Rob Swindell:

Hi Ed,

On this XP pc I use Firefox with the NoScript Add-On and most
websites I visit the NoScript dropdown list has Google this, Google
that etc....

My suggestion would be: Get a second hand PC with a Windows 10pro 32bit operating system installed or with a Windows 7pro 32bit installed and
upgrade that to Win10 after having first noted the product key.

The reason for a 32bit operating system is that with it you can use all
your old applications. With a 64bit operating system you can't use most
of your old ones.

Anyway you have to get all your applications over to the new machine by
some kind of a backup from your old machine, whether that would be by installing your present HD into the second HD bay of the 'new' one or
some other method.


HNY es 73 de Sam, OH0NC
aka Holger


.. CompuCrumb SPUDModem Detected; System hanging up now...
-- MR/2 2.30


--- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 2
* Origin: Coming to you from the Sunny Aland Islands. (2:20/228)

Re: Re: The Chromebook
By: Ed Vance to Richard Miles on Sun Jan 05 2020 21:31:00

While I'm chatting about Chromebooks I'm wondering if something like
a Spreadsheet either from the Google Store or OpenOffice or
LibreOffice could be used without a internet connection to Google?

no because you cannot even log into the machine without a connection... there is no offline mode at all...

I sure wouldn't want to be using the Internet for personal stuff I
would use a Spreadsheet for.

google sheets isn't all that bad and there are privacy settings where you can allow others to see the sheet or not... plus the connections are over https which is secure... but yeah, it depends on what data you are putting in the sheets in some cases...


)\/(ark
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
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Ed Vance wrote to Richard Miles <=-

Can ChromeOS run in a virtualbox on a XP pc?

I ran one of the distributions inside of Virtualbox, can't remember which version of ChromeOS it was. I don't think the official version runs on a lot of hardware, but others have ported it.

While I'm chatting about Chromebooks I'm wondering if something like a Spreadsheet either from the Google Store or OpenOffice or LibreOffice could be used without a internet connection to Google?

All of the google docs can work offline on Windows. I wrote a novel in
Google Docs and was able to work offline, then it'd upload the documents
when I got back onto the network. I'd guess ChromeOS would do the same.

I sure wouldn't want to be using the Internet for personal stuff I
would use a Spreadsheet for.

--- MultiMail/XT v0.52
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On 05 Jan 2020, Ed Vance said the following...

Thanks for telling me about the Apps button on the Chromebook.
I'll look for that next time I play with one in a store.

I'm talking about the apps button in Chrome. On your PC. It's there on the chromebooks too but a good test as to whether it would be good for you is if you can just use Chrome on your PC and nothing else.

Can ChromeOS run in a virtualbox on a XP pc?

It's not Host OS dependent afaik.

I sure wouldn't want to be using the Internet for personal stuff I would use a Spreadsheet for.

You need to stick with a PC based laptop then most likely. I will need to
break mine out and disconnect the wifi to see if it will even let you log in without a connection. Will try to get time tomorrow.

-=>Richard Miles<=-
-=>Captain Obvious<=-
-=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Shadowscope BBS | bbs.shadowscope.com | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)

Thanks for telling me about the Apps button on the Chromebook.
I'll look for that next time I play with one in a store.

Can ChromeOS run in a virtualbox on a XP pc?

There is actually an apps button in the Google Chrome browser. I think the idea is that, if you can get buy with opening the Chrome web browser and
then not doing anything else on a PC that cannot be done inside of Chrome
or one of the apps in that apps button, you might be a good Chromebook candidate.

If you are always opening Windows programs, via the Windows START button or other shortcuts, you probably are not such a good candidate.

Mike


* SLMR 2.1a * Oooo, Better run, Mr. Wino!!!
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Holger,

My suggestion would be: Get a second hand PC with a Windows 10pro 32bit HG>operating system installed or with a Windows 7pro 32bit installed and HG>upgrade that to Win10 after having first noted the product key.

The reason for a 32bit operating system is that with it you can use all HG>your old applications. With a 64bit operating system you can't use most HG>of your old ones.

That's what I did here. My late Mom's computer, and the BBS computer
have Windows 10 32-bit. I could not get a copy of that to install on an
older laptop (it originally had Windows Vista Basic on it), so I donated
it to a fellow Sysop, who wiped the drive, and put Linux on it for his
use. I bought a Lenovo Laptop with Windows 10 64-bit on it.

As a side note, I paid $140 at Best Buy for each copy of Windows 10 32-bit...Microsoft wanted $200 per copy. Can you say "corporate greed"??
That's why I don't buy a system right when a new OS comes out. Speaking
of which, I don't see any sign of another OS upgrade from Microsoft
for awhile, which likely disappoints their shareholders. But, I've got
the setups to work the way I want them. A friend of mine hates Windows
10, calling it "Satan's Little Sex Toy". :P But, this month, is the end
of security updates for Windows 7...and that's the only reason I
upgraded. With the Start8Menu utility from IObit (I use several of their programs), I have the setups looking like Windows 7 instead of Windows
10.

Daryl, WX4QZ


* OLX 1.53 * I hate Indian Givers. No, wait...I take that back!!
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