Chromebooks have been a game-changer for PreK-12 college techniques, enabling them to buy low-cost laptop computer computer systems for college students, lecturers, and directors to make use of. While Chromebooks have all the time been powered by a Linux-based working system (Chrome OS), till lately, there was no approach to run most Linux apps on one. But that modified when Google launched Crostini, a digital machine that enables Chromebooks to run Linux (Beta).
Most Chromebooks launched after 2019 and a few earlier fashions can run Crostini and Linux (Beta). Check this list of supported devices to see in case your Chromebook is on it. Fortunately, my Acer Chromebook 15 with 2GB RAM and an Intel Celeron processor is supported.
I like to recommend utilizing a Chromebook with 4GB RAM and extra disk area if you happen to plan to put in a variety of Linux functions.
Set up Linux (Beta)
After you signal into your Chromebook, “mouse over” to the lower-right nook of the display the place the clock is displayed, and left-click there. A panel will open with choices on the high (from left to proper) to signal out, shut down, lock, and open Settings. Choose the Settings icon.
Look on the left facet of the Settings panel, and you will note Linux (Beta) listed.
Click on Linux (Beta), and the primary panel will change to current an choice to launch it. Click the Turn on button.
It will begin the method of organising a Linux surroundings in your Chromebook.
Next, you can be prompted to enter a Username and the scale you need your Linux set up to be.
It takes a couple of minutes to put in Linux in your Chromebook.
After the set up completes, you need to use Linux in your Chromebook. The menu bar on the underside of your Chromebook’s show has a shortcut to a terminal, a text-based interface you need to use to work together with Linux.
You can use common Linux commands like ls, lscpu, and high to see extra of your surroundings. You can set up functions utilizing sudo apt set up.
Install your first Linux utility
Being in a position to set up and run free and open supply software program on a Chromebook could be a actual winner for financially constrained college districts.
The first utility I like to recommend putting in is the Mu editor for Python. Install it by getting into the next into your terminal:
$ sudo apt set up mu-editorIt takes a bit over 5 minutes to put in, however in the long run, you may have entry to a extremely good Python editor for college students and anybody else who needs to study Python.
I’ve had nice success utilizing Mu and Python as a learning tool. For instance, I’ve taught my college students to write down code for Python’s turtle module and execute it to create graphics. I used to be upset that I wasn’t in a position to make use of Mu with a BBC:Microbit open hardware board. Even although the Microbit connects to USB and there’s USB assist within the Chromebook’s Linux digital surroundings, I could not make it work.
Once you’ve got put in an utility, it can present up in a particular Linux Apps menu, which you’ll see on the lower-right of this screenshot.
Install different functions
You can set up greater than only a programming language and code editor. In truth, you’ll be able to set up most of your favourite open supply functions.
For instance, you’ll be able to set up the LibreOffice suite with:
$ sudo apt set up libreofficeThe open supply audio software program Audacity is certainly one of my different favourite classroom functions. My Chromebook’s microphone works with Audacity, making it simple to create podcasts or edit free sounds from Wikimedia Commons. It’s simple to put in Audacity on a Chromebook—with the Crostini digital surroundings operating, open the terminal and enter:
$ sudo apt set up audacityThen launch Audacity from the command line or search for it within the Linux Apps part of the Chromebook menu.
I additionally simply put in TuxMath and TuxType, a few nice functions for training. I used to be even in a position to set up and run the picture editor GIMP. All the Linux functions come from Debian Linux repositories.
Share recordsdata
There is a utility inside Linux (Beta) to again up and restore your recordsdata. You can even share recordsdata between your Linux (Beta) digital machine and your Chromebook by opening the Files app on the Chromebook and right-clicking on the folder you wish to share. You can select to share your entire Chromebook recordsdata or create a particular folder for shared recordsdata. While you might be within the Linux digital machine, you’ll be able to entry this folder by looking to /mnt/chromeos.
Learn extra
The documentation for Linux (Beta) could be very full, so learn it completely to study extra about its capabilities. Some key takeaways from the documentation are:
- Cameras will not be but supported.
- Android units are supported over USB.
- Hardware acceleration just isn’t but supported.
- You can entry the microphone.
Are you utilizing Linux functions in your Chromebook? Tell us all about it within the feedback!
