Do I really "need" Google

BLizgreat! · 2016-11-30 23:31:09

Zowza, though think what you said is words of wisdom Sector. I refuse to ever call you Secdroid though.

Sector11 · 2016-12-01 00:08:13

Thank you. I don't really like it either.

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-01 02:08:46

^ You'll always be Sector11 in my mind dude. Master conky ninja.

Btw: Hoping Hoas knows none of this babbling is meant in an argumentative way towards him. Been a long time since I've done a good M$ babble bash and whatever brought the subject to front of mind. So guess felt it was overdo.

About time to cut the cord for me. Never use win8.1, so all it's doing is squatting on 100gbs of disk I could be using for something I do use. Plus have a 50gb shared ntfs partition too. Will have to transfer the dang contents over to a holding partition and format it to a better filesystem, put it all back and fiddle with a couple of fstab files. Unlike some, when bought the system the oem did at least provide reinstall media for win8. So didn't have to make any myself and if ever really need the M$ OS for something will have the option of reinstalling it.

Ya never know, someday I may get to missing comp-viruses or summin.

Update: Alright done deal, pc is officially window$ free ! YAY ! Set up a couple 20gb testing partitions in ext4, case the distro hop bug strikes and gave the rest to a btrfs one.
Some may be asking, wth any of this has to do with Google ? Unfortunately nothing, I just tend to babble incessantly ! Will try harder to confine any babbling in Sector's thread to things to do with da MIGHTY GOOG!

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-01 02:42:18)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-12-01 07:23:20

BLwillbegreat! wrote:

Ya never know, someday I may get to missing comp-viruses or summin.

No need for that, GNU/Linux has it's own cesspool:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-01 09:30:34

AH HA ! So you think you can bait me into babblings so easily eh HOAS ?!!?? Errrr .. dang it, you're right.

Any computer can be compromised. Sheesh even the NSA's stuff can be given the right circumstances. Though we both know gnu/Nix is a much tougher nut to crack than M$-OS's. Nix has several distinct advantages ( again that both you and I, as well as plenty of others are well aware). Binaries kept in a trusted usually well stocked repository. If people choose to install questionable software from other places, that's their choice. Better written code, accessible and more open to scruitiny, by people who actually want to make the OS the best it can be. Verses M$, which wants to make anything, even a 1/2 baked piece of crapware they can push off onto consumers. With no choice as it comes already installed for them.

Again ... the dreaded Vista, makes/made it very clear M$ isn't really into the release when ready development philosophy.

Faster security patches distribution ( in some distro's, ie: Debian + others) Whereas M$ has repeatedly sat around after serious zero day vunerabilities have been discovered and made public and still hadn't released a fix months ( or MUCH longer) later. Remember one time Google Inc found one of so many such exploits. Contacted M$ and told them about it (repeatedly). M$ sat around apparently not giving a crap. Google issued them an ultimatum in more than a few public channels. Either fix it or we're making it public on X-date.

Rather than springing into action to protect their users and putting out a fix, M$ retaliated by whining about how irresponsible it was of Google to potentially expose their users to security threats, by making such exploit public knowledge. Even though they'd been given ample time.

note: Like google is the only party in the world who could possibly find such things in their OS. A shhhhhhhhhh Google, don't tell anybody and nobody will ever know, kay ?

M$ tends to leave many unnecessary and services known to be potential security risks enabled by default. In Nix not so much. M$'s default firewalls and security progs routinely score WAY below freeware offerings for the platform. Nix iptables, incoming default deny ootb. Gnu/Nix generally comes with an admin/root-sudo acct (and plenty among the nix community will advise people of the reason why it's better to use reg user w/o good reason), vs M$ which often doesn't and has to be enabled by the enduser. Just enabling that in window$ can go a long way imo. Though because of the aforementioned factors even with a separate admin acct users are still open to plenty of remote and local threats.

Speaking of the poor limitations of software selection they tend to offer. Actually encourages people to seek out freeware apps/utils to make up for the lack of built in features. Which as mentioned, M$ could easily but clearly refuses to provide users, unless they pay extra for capablities that's been default for 10-15yrs on many Nix distros. ( or more) Or at worst was an apt-get, yum or whatever away for users to enable.

Yay ! They finally integrated a disk manager that can resize partitions and stuff in newer M$ OS's. Way to push the envelope of cutting edge software development M$ ! People have been able to get that via freeware since era XP'ish and long before then too. Just saying it could be reasonable to say, that providing such sparse though should be standard features. People are kinda encouraged to look elsewhere for basic things, that should've been stock over a decade ago.

Potentially exposing themselves to malware-etc in the process. Also as mentioned, sheesh ... you don't even need to go looking for malware while using window$, M$ will send you plenty via automatic updates, which have long been known to often cause problems and compatibility issues on their own platform. What ??? I couldn't resist the bait and continuing the well deserved M$ bash.

Honestly imo ( and think the facts bare it out.) Getting a gnu/Linux system compromised mostly requires active participation and really poor judgement on the part of the user. Aka PEBCAK. Physical access and the accompanying knowledge on the part of x-malicous person or some other fairly extreme things, that users really have no reason to worry about. Dang it ya played me like a fiddle HOAS ! Though overall opinion on Nix and security ? With freedom, comes responsibility. If someone is dead-set on being stupid, that's their problem.

Vll!

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-01 10:08:10)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-12-01 21:14:14

BLwillbegreat! wrote:

Any computer can be compromised.

Yes indeed, the threat of hardware-based vectors is hard to ignore:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_ANT_catalog

I really will stop now

Last edited by Head_on_a_Stick (2016-12-01 21:16:27)

Sector11 · 2016-12-01 21:58:26

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-02 02:28:43

OHhhhhh no ya don't HOAS, think it's out of my system ... for awhile anyway.

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-02 02:29:11)

g33zr · 2016-12-02 02:41:11

^ I received my Chromebook today and will provide a review tomorrow. I'm still figuring out the nooks and crannies.... 8)

But yes, I'm beholden to Google when I use it, but I'm not ready to install Linux on it...yet.

g33zr · 2016-12-02 14:33:28

This is the Asus Chromebook I have.

In brief, it has a Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core N3060 Processor, 1.6 GHz (2 M Cache, up to 2.48 GHz), 4 GB RAM, and 16 GB SSD. You can't install apps like you can with a regular netbook, but that how it goes with a Chromebook since all the apps are web based.

Of course, if I were a tinkerer, I could hack it and install Linux, but that would be defeating the purpose...or not. See: http://www.androidcentral.com/hacking-y … -you-think

Here's what I like:

* It's small and light, i.e. 11.6" and just 2.65 lbs. (My System76 laptop is 15.6" and weights +5 lbs.)
* It's rubber coated and can survive a drop of nearly 4'
* the coating is easy to grip and washable with a damp cloth
* the keyboard has large keys and it's spillproof
* the display is anti-glare
* it boots and loads literally in a flash
* unlike other notebooks and laptops, you can remove the back and replace parts, including the battery
* battery life is 10 hrs, but after I charged it for the first time, the battery icon displayed 100% and 12 hrs. (The battery on my laptop gets 3-3.5 hrs. max when brand new and fully charged. But if I'm running a few apps, I'm lucky to get 2 hrs.)

What I don't like:

*I'm beholden to Google, but it is what it is. IMO, it's better than being beholden to MS or Apple.
* Although the keys are large, the keyboard feels cramped to me, but I'm used to a full-size keboard. Perhaps I'll adapt.

Conclusion: The Chromebook is just what I need when I travel. It's small, light, and will fit easily into my carry-on. While on the road or overseas, I can Skype, use email, browse the web, and work on my stories, poems, as well as THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL. ]:D

Sector11 · 2016-12-02 15:31:48

^ahhh reading the link you gave us. This, italics (mine), sounds SO familiar!

the link wrote:

By default, your Chromebook runs on the stable release channel for your model. This means everything has been tested, things run pretty smoothly, and there usually aren't any critical bugs to trip you up.
That's absolutely no fun.

And therein lies the Geek's Creed**: It's yours to bend, fold, and mutilate until you are happy with it!

g33zr wrote:

*I'm beholden to Google, but it is what it is. IMO, it's better than being beholden to MS or Apple.

I find no argument with that.

And - that looks like a nice little machine!

- - - - -
** Just made that up now.
Also Note: some noobs (looking in the mirror) are Geek-wannabes O:)

Sector11 · 2016-12-02 15:45:24

Some things about this place I hate:

Asus Chromebook C201 Usada Buen Estado 2gb 16gb Ssd - 4,999.00 pesos (4999 ARS = 314.4371 USD)

I'm going to guess that even without the $50 off it wasn't anywhere near that price.

g33zr · 2016-12-02 17:18:05

^Yowsa! Mucho dinero! I was able to buy it for $143.00 US and the shipping was free!

Sector11 · 2016-12-02 17:33:59

Found that at Marcado Libre - the Argentinian Amazon.com wannabe.

New government is promising to do something next year - too many Argentinians travelling to Chile to buy things at literally half the price here, including cars!

Was talking to the owner of a new (for me) computer shop I found in the area and he told me. "If you're not in a rush, wait until next year, the prices should drop by half." He knows I'll be back.

I doubt 'half' but there should be a considerable price cut. This is for computers, cellphones and "electro domésticos" (domestic appliances)

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-02 20:25:51

+1 G33zr, if you're going to go with one of the 3, probably get the best out of it with google. Not to mention at least compared to M$, yanno but I'm considerably biased. Though yep, as long as we've got gnu/Linux, much more freedoms and choices beyond what proprietary organizations want to make available to the masses.

(babble edit:) Don't have much experience to speak of related to OsX/Apple. Though many of the terminal commands appear very similar to gnu/Nix and their software and hardware are known to be pretty dang solid and generally high quality from everything I've seen. Though co$tly, at least people get quality for the money. Vs ( see all the M$ rants in this thread, lol. ) So in terms of price and features, would still say I'd lean towards Google's.

Dang Sector, they're stinging people's wallets there fellow nixer. G33zr not sure on that particular model and OS but people can/do use android apps on gnu/Nix os's (via using the Chrome browser development channel), install android in vm and seen people outright installing it/Android to bare metal on pc's too. Too lazy to dig up links pertaining to it atm. I don't blame you at all either way, who would want to start monkeying with a new shiny tech doodad after only 1 or a few dys. You know you retain the option though.

Hoping you'll re-review occasionally once the new wears off a bit. How well it holds up, any quirks that become apparent after awhile or whatever else good and bad. Using it for a couple dys vs really putting it through the paces. Shrugs though looks like a nice doohickey you have there G33zr.

vll!

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-02 22:26:09)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-12-02 22:58:53

g33zr wrote:

I'm not ready to install Linux on it

FreeBSD will run on Chromebooks, apparently:

https://wiki.freebsd.org/FreeBSD/arm/Chromebook

I'm all talk though, the family hudl [1] still has all the branding and applications on it...

:8

[1] Other tablets are available.

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-02 23:33:42

^Ah you're definitely not all talk imo Hoas,

Everything I've seen from ya, tells me you're a good guy and pretty dang tech literate in all regards. Nothing against Bsd. Though typed out another anti-M$, didn't do any speculation as to Bsd in the babble. Don't know enough about it to babble. Though don't personally think it'll ever be a replacement for gnu/Nix in many ways. For me anyway. Just based on research findings, it'll stay coming up short.

Stupe babble about software Sec:

Security through obscurity philosophy: Both gnu/Linux and Mac's are known to be massively harder, better coded and though both may enjoy a smaller user/market share.
Imo ... the secur-thru-obscure thing is mostly bunk. It's not just that the other platforms have a smaller number of users. It's that they are much superior and harder to remotely compromise. With M$/window$, it's like shooting fish in the barrel for people who create malware-etc. It's a daily/monthly thing to see. M$ releases 15 patches (this time) to address critical vunerabilities in their OS's, stemming back to some of their OS's from 10yrs or so ago.
Between the lack of coding quality and all the bugs they routinely allow to to ship, again with a pc software monopoly there's no incentive to really work hard at creating quality software, why set the bar too high for yourself, when most consumers will take whatever they're given ? Followed by what I consider to be poor development on top of the former that's outright malicious in nature. Done with malice and aforethought by M$. Sheesh what other platform can say that multibillion dollar industries have sprung up around it to secure their software ? Ans: Nobody but M$ and I wonder how many major software security companies they own/operate themselves to address ( attempt to resolve) security issues within their own software offerings ?
Far as I'm aware not Mac, definitely not Nix. Though some considerate Nixers will install anti-virus detection and scanning utils, so they don't inadvertently send infected stuff to window$ users. Lol ... plus I have zero doubt, many of those hackers and/or malware designers run gnu/Linux themselves. They luv it too.
Many the hacker, malware and bot-net maintainers and devs and IT Sec people would shed a tear, should M$'s software ever truly fade away. So hey, guess m$ isn't totally bad, they create plenty of jobs by putting out their crapware.

vll!

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-02 23:49:47)

g33zr · 2016-12-03 21:12:08

BLwillbegreat! wrote:

+1 G33zr, if you're going to go with one of the 3, probably get the best out of it with google. Not to mention at least compared to M$, yanno but I'm considerably biased. Though yep, as long as we've got gnu/Linux, much more freedoms and choices beyond what proprietary organizations want to make available to the masses.
[cut]
Hoping you'll re-review occasionally once the new wears off a bit. How well it holds up, any quirks that become apparent after awhile or whatever else good and bad. Using it for a couple dys vs really putting it through the paces. Shrugs though looks like a nice doohickey you have there G33zr.
vll!

I don't plan to install Linux on the Chromebook, but I can add the following comments as an addition to a review:

* Setting up and using the Chromebook is similar to that of a smartphone or a tablet. You have just enough apps to get going and do what you want to do (similar to Bodhi Linux and other minimalist distros). You can add apps via the Google Play Store, but since my Asus Chromebook has only 16 GB SSD, I have all I need to keep in touch with folks via email and Skype, use the web for research, and write while I'm traveling.

* Although I use Google Drive as one online backup for my doc files, I also use Dropbox, so I installed that via Play Store.

* One thing that I forgot to mention earlier is the Chromebook has surprisngly good strereo speakers for such a small PC. In fact, the speakers sound better than the built-in speakers on both my 4-year old System76 laptop and my new System76 desktop PC.

* Some folks get along well with their smartphone or tablet, but I need a keyboard--a real keyboard. My brother travels all over the world and claims he survives just fine with his iPhone. But like you, BLwbg, I tend to ramble and babble. Typing more than a line or two on a virtual keyboard is tedious enough. The thought of typing a full page or more on such a keyboard would be enough to put me into the "nervous hospital"...ummm-hmmm....

* As already mentioned, my primary reason for buying the Chromebook is to use it as a tool, a kind of mini office, whenever I'm away from home. I don't relish lugging a +5 lb laptop in addition to my roller suitcase. The Chromebook fits nicely with other necessities in a small backpack that I use as a carryon.

* The Mrs. may well appropriate the Chromebook in due time, in which case I'll look into buying a similar size netbook in which I can install Linux. ]:D

Last edited by g33zr (2016-12-04 15:29:27)

BLizgreat! · 2016-12-04 14:22:14

^Nothing wrong with that G33zr and don't blame you.

Now for some off the top babble about this. ChromeOS is "based" on gnu/Nix too. Again .. think Goog's too dang smart, with all the GPL goodness floating around for them to freely commercialize, why wouldn't they ?

Just another approach kinda babble. No doubt are keyboards someone can plug into phones micro or mini usb port or bluetooth devices to do it. Actually been considering looking over what's available for that purpose myself. Cause yeppers, agree with you, any real typing on a QWERTY phone keyboard would have to be painful. Out of curiosity tried the talk to type stock software on my Android. Thing was pretty dang accurate, well matter a fact was totally accurate.

Typed out what I'd said accurately. Things are getting strange, though when comes to tech there's pretty much no shortage of ways to skin whichever cats someone discovers. Nothing wrong with a Chromebook either. Plus hats off, among the over-the-hill crowd this makes you uber hip dude. Maybe not here, cause the older folks in Nix communities probably tend to be better tech aware types but in offline for sure. You're clearly not the type who's afraid to get off the beaten path either though. Or wouldn't be here in the 1st place.

Just saying have noted an almost tech-phobia among some of the older generation. So it's cool to see mature folks with an interest in tech.

Edit know HOAS wants to inspire/bait me to do some more m$ bashing. I apologize for anything that came off as anti-Bsd. Admitted I don't really know enough about the platform anyway. Just saying in terms of development community and resources being put into xyz platform. Kinda makes sense to me that more ='s more. Perhaps both good and bad aspects emerging out of the effort.
Am also 130% sure any of the Bsd's are rock solid and feature rich OS's. No doubt people can do much to extend their OS's functionality and capabilities on Bsd-typex. Like install and use a gnu/nix distro onto a VM, kidding around.

Last edited by BLizgreat! (2016-12-04 17:21:16)

g33zr · 2016-12-05 23:47:03

^ Talk to type...ah, when I speak English, my New England accent sometimes flavored with Rhode Islandese, results in gibberish...and when I speak German, my noticeable Hessian and other accent(s), also somewhat flavored with Rhode Islandese results in gibberish. GIVE ME A KEYBOARD OR GIVE ME DEATH! (not really) 8o

#101 2016-11-30 23:31:09

Re: Do I really "need" Google

#102 2016-12-01 00:08:13

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#103 2016-12-01 02:08:46

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#104 2016-12-01 07:23:20

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#107 2016-12-01 21:58:26

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#108 2016-12-02 02:28:43

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#109 2016-12-02 02:41:11

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#110 2016-12-02 14:33:28

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#111 2016-12-02 15:31:48

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#112 2016-12-02 15:45:24

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#113 2016-12-02 17:18:05

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#114 2016-12-02 17:33:59

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#115 2016-12-02 20:25:51

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#116 2016-12-02 22:58:53

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#117 2016-12-02 23:33:42

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#118 2016-12-03 21:12:08

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#119 2016-12-04 14:22:14

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#120 2016-12-05 23:47:03

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