15 votes

Google partners with Back Market to distribute ChromeOS Flex USB sticks

8 comments

  1. [5]
    JXM
    Link
    In theory, this is awesome. A major win for recycling and reusing electronics. BUT it just further entrenches users into the Google spyware ecosystem.

    In theory, this is awesome. A major win for recycling and reusing electronics.

    BUT it just further entrenches users into the Google spyware ecosystem.

    10 votes
    1. [4]
      Akir
      Link Parent
      Why is it better than any given Linux distro installer? There are an increasing number of immutable Linux distros these days, too.

      Why is it better than any given Linux distro installer? There are an increasing number of immutable Linux distros these days, too.

      8 votes
      1. JXM
        Link Parent
        Because it’s designed to lock you in to Google services. That’s why they’re doing it, not because they actually caring about the environment. If they announced they were doing it with Fedora or...

        Because it’s designed to lock you in to Google services. That’s why they’re doing it, not because they actually caring about the environment.

        If they announced they were doing it with Fedora or some other distro, I’d be way more enthusiastic.

        9 votes
      2. [2]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        A Chromebook is a machine with a web browser that you can give to a nontechnical user, knowing that they can't screw up too badly. There are a wide variety of Linux distros and maybe there are...

        A Chromebook is a machine with a web browser that you can give to a nontechnical user, knowing that they can't screw up too badly. There are a wide variety of Linux distros and maybe there are some that are just as good for that kind of user, but I don't know what to recommend offhand. It's not true of just any Linux distro since many of the cater to power users.

        5 votes
        1. Akir
          Link Parent
          That's what an immutable distro is, more or less. The system is locked down so that it can't be changed and the only folder that will accept any kind of change is the user's home folder. Apps are...

          That's what an immutable distro is, more or less. The system is locked down so that it can't be changed and the only folder that will accept any kind of change is the user's home folder. Apps are installed in containerized formats such as flatpaks. SteamOS is one such system,though obviously it doesn't support a ton of different hardware configurations at this time. Fedora ships a number of variations on the theme and Bazzite is another distro built on top of their foundation.

          8 votes
  2. Akir
    Link
    I actually had no idea that Google was supporting ChromeOS outside of Chromebooks. OK.

    I actually had no idea that Google was supporting ChromeOS outside of Chromebooks.

    OK.

    5 votes
  3. [2]
    moocow1452
    Link
    https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/p/usb-key-x-chromeos-flex/3c9cefef-2fc8-46b0-9630-ab40189d9b06 Currently out of stock because they're charging $3 for a USB stick that can be wiped and made into...

    https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/p/usb-key-x-chromeos-flex/3c9cefef-2fc8-46b0-9630-ab40189d9b06

    Currently out of stock because they're charging $3 for a USB stick that can be wiped and made into anything else.

    4 votes
    1. Akir
      Link Parent
      I’m gonna be real with you. I forgot that USB sticks still cost money because I am so used to getting them for free from Microcenter promotions.

      I’m gonna be real with you. I forgot that USB sticks still cost money because I am so used to getting them for free from Microcenter promotions.