Teleported Goats and the Google Chrome OS

Today I decided to create a bootable flash stick with the latest version, courtesy of Hexxeh. While it's still early in their build cycle, I was able to glean a few interesting things regarding this operating system. Overall it's shaping up to be a good thing, but unless the user "usability" is tremendously increased, no one will use it. Let's consider how long open-source Linux builds have been out there and they have still not made it into the mainstream. It doesn't matter how nice Gnome becomes, Mom and Pop still feel they are too complex. Think iPod or Television, make a consumer OS that easy to use and they will flock.

Then again, if this is merely an OS to jump into when you need to do some quick browsing -- spot on. Of course I want the ability to keep someone else from using their Google login and using my hardware.

Good things

• Fast boot (8 seconds) time with my Acer Aspire One D250 (from flash drive)
• 100% running on my Netbook without configuration
• Ubuntu under the hood
• I was able to do this post from within the Google Chrome OS

Not so good things

• The interface is a browser
• You have to turn things on such as "enable tap-to-click" for your touchpad
• No desktop, no apparent control panel, no apparent. All applications must be web-based apps.
• This is really a "connected system" operating system. Minimal offline usability since it relies on the browser to do everything.
  No web no use.
• Battery indicator is non-functional

Tricks

• Once you are in the system, use the ctrl-alt-del trick to get into the task manager. After that, you can use alt-tab to switch between the browser and the task manager.
• Normal tasks are performed in a terminal shell
  • CTRL-ALT-T to get into it
    • Be careful, every time you do this it opens a new shell
  • Typing "help" and enter, gives you a listing of all commands
  • "sudo shutdown -h now" and enter, will shutdown the OS (system) after entering the system password
  • For the hexxeh image, the password is "facepunch"
  • CTRL-ALT-F2 shells in, CTRL-ALT-F1 back to GUI

What is the hoopla about goats? http://www.goatsteleported.com

The version tested, Chrome Browser 4.0.289.0 (35439), Operating System 0.5.25.201001021707 (Developer Build)

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