[Official] Google Chrome OS Discussion

[Veedems Veteran]

After getting Neobond's permission, I created this thread for discussion of the operating system, itself. The previous thread ( https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/959472-chromeos-laptops/page__view__getnewpost ) turned into a a discussion of the delivery of the laptops and I was hoping for a place for people to discuss the main object of this test, the OS.

As for my personal opinion of Chrome OS, I think it's a great "on the go" operating system, but I'm not sure of it's ability to be anyone's main operating system. To me, using a web browser window to contain EVERYTHING you're trying to do is a bit difficult to adjust to. I find myself wishing they had almost gone with a lightweight, very simple to use Linux install instead.

[Veedems Veteran]

Anyone else annoyed that many of these "apps" are just bookmarks to existing sites?

[Hedon]

Yeah, many are just links...but some are apps. More actual apps are coming now that it's open to the public for consumption.

[RCOO]

Is there anyway I can get the version that comes preloaded with the new netbooks?

[andrew_f]

Is there anyway I can get the version that comes preloaded with the new netbooks?

Your best bet is probably trying the latest build from http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/vanilla.php

[RCOO]

I've tryed, but it won't boot =S

[RCOO]

Actually, it does boot. Just won't detect my wireless card, therefore can't connect to my Wi-Fi network.

[amon91]

Actually, it does boot. Just won't detect my wireless card, therefore can't connect to my Wi-Fi network.

You could try logging in as "facepunch", not sure if that works anymore though.

I like it, it's a nice minimal OS. Would I use it as my main? Of course not, but it's perfect for small form factors that still have the traditional touchpad and keyboard. I still think the future will be more seamless than a browser slapped within an OS to be honest though.

[SharpGreen]

Actually, it does boot. Just won't detect my wireless card, therefore can't connect to my Wi-Fi network.

Lucky.

I haven't been able to get anything newer than a build based on Chrome 5 to boot. Most just end in an instant restart.

But even with the old build I like what I see. And hope I get a Cr-48 :)

[RCOO]

Lucky.

I haven't been able to get anything newer than a build based on Chrome 5 to boot. Most just end in an instant restart.

But even with the old build I like what I see. And hope I get a Cr-48 :)

We, European, are not entituled to a CR-48... So, getting the OS to work is the only thing which can kill your curiosity.

The problem is drivers. I need to include a driver so that my card gets recognized. Maybe porting drivers from Chrome Flow to Vanilla?

Is this even possible?

I want Vanilla... It's so *_*

[SharpGreen]

We, European, are not entituled to a CR-48... So, getting the OS to work is the only thing which can kill your curiosity.

The problem is drivers. I need to include a driver so that my card gets recognized. Maybe porting drivers from Chrome Flow to Vanilla?

Is this even possible?

I want Vanilla... It's so *_*

Understandable. The one I'm currently using is Flow from Hexxeh. But its REALLY old. Just out of curiosity what WiFi card are you using?

[RCOO]

Understandable. The one I'm currently using is Flow from Hexxeh. But its REALLY old. Just out of curiosity what WiFi card are you using?

Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter

[SharpGreen]

Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter

I saw a driver (named rtl8187) for that card (or something similar maybe) in the kernel config options when I was building a chromeos kernel earlier. So its there. Just need a working recent build.

[De.Bug]

I think ChromeOS will be good for people who aren't power users that just use the computer for facebook, writing essays ect, but will pretty much fail for the other people. It will probably be pretty slow doing stuff unless you have a good internet speed, and you can't play games on it so yeah. It's pretty much only a word processor, some lightweight online games, and some other google products thrown in. In my opinion.

[Paul Paliath]

As far as most things I'd do on a notebook are concerned, Chrome OS basically fits my needs. I can definitely see it as being a main portable laptop for many.

[andrew_f]

I think ChromeOS will be good for people who aren't power users that just use the computer for facebook, writing essays ect, but will pretty much fail for the other people. It will probably be pretty slow doing stuff unless you have a good internet speed, and you can't play games on it so yeah. It's pretty much only a word processor, some lightweight online games, and some other google products thrown in. In my opinion.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Apart from coding I can't think what you really need native apps for (do you even need them for coding if thousands of Google engineers have been working on these?). Games could be written in OpenGL and NativeClient - and while they'll probably never be Windows standard, they're more than "lightweight online games".

I was sceptical at first; but I looked on the web store and they have decent apps for almost everything I need - including a MS Project alternative.

[Silverskull]

I built my own copy of Chromium OS a few days ago, and it's missing quite a few of the features the version on the Cr-48 has. Google Talk windows popping up in panels, for example. So I'm not quite sure what happened there, but... maybe it's following Android's half-open, half-closed development model.

[RCOO]

How do I make my own version of Vanilla? Adding the driver I need...

[Brandon H Supervisor]

I personally from what I've seen like the way Jolicloud is going on their web OS compared to Chrome OS

[Veedems Veteran]

I personally from what I've seen like the way Jolicloud is going on their web OS compared to Chrome OS

As of right now, I'd have to agree.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

As of right now, I'd have to agree.

I especially like how they finally strayed from JUST netbooks :)

[FrankSpin]

I personally from what I've seen like the way Jolicloud is going on their web OS compared to Chrome OS

See I personally was not impressed with Jolicloud because in the end it was nothing more than UNR with an "Apps" panel. I like that Google is atleast trying to get people to design "apps" for the browser.

[Veedems Veteran]

I really hope more developers start to utilize panels. Makes the whole OS seem a little more versatile, then:

http://google-chrome-browser.com/panelize-fixes-one-chrome-oss-fundamental-flaws?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+Google-Chrome-Browser+(Google+Chrome)&utm_content=Twitter

[Veedems Veteran]

My buddy found the way to put the OS on the dev branch:

if you feel like switching your CR-48 to the dev channel: settings --> about --> click "More Info" and then switch it over to Development. Got an update last night... from 0.9.128.8 to 0.9.128.12 ...no noticeable changes though.

[nycmattw]

If I were to use Chrome OS and print something out of Google Docs would I need drivers for it? The specific type of printer I'm talking about is a Canon MX350.