Acer 315: Enabling Linux (Beta)

• Chromebooks, like the Acer 315, run Chrome OS, which is based on the Linux kernel, but traditionally, Chrome OS doesn't expose a full-fledged Linux environment to the user.
• Recent versions of Chrome OS include a feature called "Linux (Beta)" or "Crostini," which allows users to run Linux applications alongside Chrome OS apps.
• The Crostini project enables a Debian-based Linux environment to run in a container, providing a shell for Linux command-line tools.

Enabling Linux (Beta) on an Acer 315 Chromebook

• Open the Settings app on the Chromebook.
• Navigate to "Linux (Beta)" in the settings menu (usually found under "Advanced").
• Click "Turn on."
• A setup wizard guides you through the installation process, including choosing a disk size for the Linux environment.
• Once installed, a terminal application will be available, providing access to a Debian Linux shell.

Accessing the Linux Shell

• After enabling Linux (Beta), a terminal application appears in the Chrome OS launcher.
• Opening this terminal provides a command-line interface to the Linux environment.
• The default shell is usually bash.

Basic Linux Commands

• pwd: Prints the current working directory.
• ls: Lists files and directories in the current directory.
• cd: Changes the current directory (cd .. moves up one level).
• mkdir: Creates a new directory.
• rm: Removes files or directories (rm -r for directories).
• cp: Copies files or directories.
• mv: Moves or renames files or directories.
• sudo: Executes commands with administrative privileges.
• apt: Advanced Package Tool, used for installing, updating, and removing software packages.

Package Management with apt

• sudo apt update: Refreshes the package list.
• sudo apt upgrade: Upgrades installed packages to their newest versions.
• sudo apt install <package_name>: Installs a new package.
• sudo apt remove <package_name>: Removes a package.

Working with Files

• The Linux environment shares a folder with Chrome OS called "Linux files" in the Chrome OS Files app.
• Files placed in this folder are accessible from both Chrome OS and the Linux environment.
• The Linux home directory is located at /home/username, where username is your Chrome OS username.

Installing Software

• Software can be installed via the command line using apt.
• Example: sudo apt install vim installs the Vim text editor.
• Some software may require adding additional repositories or installing .deb packages downloaded from the internet.

Text Editors

• Common command-line text editors include nano, vim, and emacs.
• nano is a simple, user-friendly editor.
• vim is a powerful, but more complex editor.
• VS Code and other graphical editors can be installed for more advanced functionality.

Development Tools

• The Linux environment is suitable for software development.
• Common tools like gcc, python, git, and node.js can be installed via apt.
• Example: sudo apt install python3 python3-pip installs Python 3 and its package manager, pip.

Graphical Applications

• Chrome OS supports running graphical Linux applications.
• These applications integrate with the Chrome OS desktop.
• To run graphical applications, ensure the appropriate X server components are installed and configured; typically, Crostini handles this automatically.

Accessing USB Devices

• USB devices can be accessed from the Linux environment.
• In Chrome OS, go to Settings > Linux (Beta) > Manage USB devices and allow the Linux environment to access specific USB devices.
• The device will then be available under /dev within the Linux shell.

Networking

• The Linux environment shares the same network connection as Chrome OS.
• Network configuration can be managed using standard Linux networking tools.
• ifconfig or ip addr can display IP addresses and network interfaces.

Security

• The Linux environment runs in a container, providing isolation from the rest of Chrome OS.
• This enhances security by limiting the impact of potential vulnerabilities in Linux applications.
• Regular updates of the Linux environment are important for maintaining security.

Troubleshooting

• If the Linux environment is not working correctly, try restarting the Chromebook.
• Check the Chrome OS settings for any error messages related to Linux (Beta).
• Use the command vmc start termina in the Chrome OS crosh shell (Ctrl+Alt+T, then type shell) to manually start the VM, which may provide error messages.

Limitations

• Performance may be lower than running Linux on native hardware.
• Hardware support may be limited; not all devices and peripherals are fully supported.
• Disk space allocated to the Linux environment is fixed at install but can be changed later by backing up, removing, and reinstalling the Linux container with a new disk size.

Crosh Shell

• Crosh (Chrome Shell) is a command-line interface built into Chrome OS for system-level access.
• It can be accessed by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
• Crosh has limited functionality compared to the Linux shell but can be used for basic tasks like network diagnostics and system information.
• Type help in Crosh to see available commands.

Backing up and restoring

• Chrome OS allows you to back up the Linux environment.
• Go to Settings > Linux (Beta) > Back up & restore.
• This creates a .tini file that contains the Linux container image, which can be used to restore the Linux environment to its previous state.

Alternatives to Crostini

• Crouton: A chroot-based solution that allows running Linux alongside Chrome OS without virtualization; it is less secure than Crostini but may offer better performance in some cases and requires developer mode.
• Dual Booting: Installing a separate Linux distribution alongside Chrome OS, which requires developer mode and involves more complex setup.

Developer Mode

• Enabling developer mode bypasses some security features of Chrome OS and allows for more advanced customization.
• To enter developer mode, a key combination typically needs to be pressed during boot (specific to the Chromebook model).
• Enabling developer mode voids the Chromebook's warranty.

Managing Containers

• Crostini uses LXC (Linux Containers).
• Containers can be managed using lxc commands within the Linux shell, but this is generally unnecessary for basic usage.
• Chrome OS manages the container lifecycle automatically.

Updating Chrome OS

• Keeping Chrome OS up to date is crucial for security and access to the latest features.
• Chrome OS automatically checks for updates and installs them in the background.
• Restart the Chromebook to apply updates; updates to Chrome OS often include updates to the Crostini environment.

Learn how to enable the Linux (Beta) feature, also known as Crostini, on an Acer 315 Chromebook. This feature allows users to run Linux applications alongside Chrome OS apps by providing a Debian-based Linux environment in a container. A terminal application will be available after installation.