And if you've been on these newsgroups for any time, this is not a surprise piece of info.
I post it only for amusement.ÿ That, and maybe someone has been on a safari for 3 years away from the internet.
How-to Geek posted an article about the topic in the subject line: https://www.howtogeek.com/this-is-the-real-reason-windows-keeps-getting-features-no-one-asked-for
That's a one liner by the way.
It's interesting and IMHO makes a great sell for Mac or Linux.
With a smartphone, yes, I could use it, but only within the parameters
of my little jail. "Oh, you have to sent your pictures to the Cloud,
because for no particular reason you cannot transfer locally without
a computer science lab."
On Fri, 1/30/2026 12:40 PM, Alan K. wrote:
And if you've been on these newsgroups for any time, this is not a surprise piece of info.
I post it only for amusement.ÿ That, and maybe someone has been on a safari for 3 years away from the internet.
How-to Geek posted an article about the topic in the subject line:
https://www.howtogeek.com/this-is-the-real-reason-windows-keeps-getting-features-no-one-asked-for
That's a one liner by the way.
It's interesting and IMHO makes a great sell for Mac or Linux.
What it really means, is no platform that is really attractive.
That's my interpretation of the situation.
On Linux, I can use VM software, when I want a bridged connection
so the IP address in the Guest is 192.168.1.3 I have to drop
to terminal and enter cryptic nmcli commands to *try* and make it work.
In Windows, if you select "bridged" it just... works.
The Apple ecosystem would drive me nuts. I used to be an Apple
user, even used to hang in an Apple ecosystem forum, but it was
pretty obvious after a while, that the temptation to keep making
me buy computers was overpowering for them. I waved them good bye.
So Linux can be used as an "escape clause", you can do lots
of stuff... but you can't do everything there, and some aspects
of computing are still hopelessly backward.
With a smartphone, yes, I could use it, but only within the parameters
of my little jail. "Oh, you have to sent your pictures to the Cloud,
because for no particular reason you cannot transfer locally without
a computer science lab."
Whereas with Windows, you feel like a Dementia Patient, you never
know what day of the week it, you never know what "trap" you will
fall into. "Well, I was just minding my own business when this
crack opened in the ground." I guess that's why we're here,
for the entertainment value of "making backups" :-)
Paul
On 1/30/26 12:52 PM, Paul wrote:
On Fri, 1/30/2026 12:40 PM, Alan K. wrote:
And if you've been on these newsgroups for any time, this is not a surprise piece of info.
I post it only for amusement.ÿ That, and maybe someone has been on a safari for 3 years away from the internet.
How-to Geek posted an article about the topic in the subject line:
https://www.howtogeek.com/this-is-the-real-reason-windows-keeps-getting-features-no-one-asked-for
That's a one liner by the way.
It's interesting and IMHO makes a great sell for Mac or Linux.
What it really means, is no platform that is really attractive.
That's my interpretation of the situation.
On Linux, I can use VM software, when I want a bridged connection
so the IP address in the Guest is 192.168.1.3 I have to drop
to terminal and enter cryptic nmcli commands to *try* and make it work.
In Windows, if you select "bridged" it just... works.
The Apple ecosystem would drive me nuts. I used to be an Apple
user, even used to hang in an Apple ecosystem forum, but it was
pretty obvious after a while, that the temptation to keep making
me buy computers was overpowering for them. I waved them good bye.
So Linux can be used as an "escape clause", you can do lots
of stuff... but you can't do everything there, and some aspects
of computing are still hopelessly backward.
With a smartphone, yes, I could use it, but only within the parameters
of my little jail. "Oh, you have to sent your pictures to the Cloud,
because for no particular reason you cannot transfer locally without
a computer science lab."
Whereas with Windows, you feel like a Dementia Patient, you never
know what day of the week it, you never know what "trap" you will
fall into. "Well, I was just minding my own business when this
crack opened in the ground." I guess that's why we're here,
for the entertainment value of "making backups" :-)
ÿ Paul
Or get a cheap Chromebook. This one I'm posting with gives these
instructions in settings. I've not tried it yet though...
Set up Linux on your Chromebook
Linux is a feature that lets you develop software using your Chromebook. You can install Linux command-line tools, code editors and IDEs (integrated development environments) on your Chromebook. These can be used to write code, create apps and more.ÿCheck which devices have Linux.
Important:ÿIf you use your Chromebook at work or school, you might not be able to use Linux. For more information,ÿcontact your administrator.
Turn on Linux
Linux is off by default. You can turn it on at any time from settings.
On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time.
Select Settingsÿ?ÿ?ÿAbout ChromeOSÿ?ÿDevelopers.
Next to 'Linux development environment', selectÿSet up.
Follow the on-screen instructions. Setup can take 10 minutes or more.
A terminal window opens. You have a Debian environment. You can run Linux commands, install more tools using the APT package manager and customise
your shell.
Turn off Linux
At the bottom right, select the time.
Select Settingsÿ?ÿ?ÿAbout ChromeOSÿ?ÿDevelopersÿ?ÿLinux development environment.
Under 'Remove Linux development environment', selectÿRemove.
Access your microphone on Linux
You can use your microphone when Linux is turned on.
At the bottom right, select the time.
Select Settingsÿ?.
On the left, selectÿLinux.
On the left, selectÿAbout Chrome OSÿ?ÿDevelopersÿ?ÿLinux development environment.
Turn onÿAllow Linux to access your microphone.
Security and permissions
To protect your computer, your Chromebook typically runs each app in a 'sandbox'. However, all Linux apps run inside the same sandbox. This means that a harmful Linux app can affect other Linux apps, but not the rest of your Chromebook.
Permissions and files shared with Linux are available to all Linux apps.
Back up and restore
If you have trouble with back up and restore,ÿlearn how to back up and replace your Linux files and apps.
Fix problems with Linux
If you experience issues with Linux or Linux apps, try the following steps:
Restart your Chromebook.
Update your packages. Open the Terminal appÿ?, and then run this
command:ÿsudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Tip: You might need to restart your Chromebook for changes to take effect. Linux automatically checks for new packages after initial setup and every
24 hours when it is running.
Check what's not yet supported
Cameras aren't yet supported.
Android devices are supported over USB, but other devices aren't yet supported.
Android Emulators aren't yet supported.
Hardware acceleration isn't yet supported, including GPU and video decode.
ChromeVox is supported for the default Terminal app, but not yet for other Linux apps.
| Sysop: | Jacob Catayoc |
|---|---|
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