Ubuntu Web

[marcusquinn]

I've been hoping for a good Linux/Firefox-based alternative to ChromeOS for a long time, and it looks like there might finally be a front-runner for this:

• https://ubuntu-web.org
• https://fossbytes.com/ubuntu-web-remix-20-04-1-first-stable-version-of-chrome-os-alternative/
• https://e.foundation
• https://twitter.com/ubunweb

Anyone tried or interested in this?

Use cases:

• Shared coffee-table laptops.
• Repurpose older hardware with a better performing Web OS.
• Avoid sponsoring Google with implied endorsement of their Ts & Cs, which you should have alternatives to accepting, and by proxy endorsing all that they sponsor.
• Managed office administration clients that only need webapps such as those provided by Cloudron, Nextcloud, OnlyOffice, Rocket Chat, EspoCRM, Bitwarden etc.
• Use Firefox Sync and Share to have access to your bookmarks, history, settings, extensions seamlessly on multiple devices.

[timconsidine]

@marcusquinn Certainly interesting and ChromeOS needs a competitor / alternative so great news.
What device do you install and run it on ?

[marcusquinn]

@timconsidine I've not tried it yet, just came up on my searching for something like this again, as I have a few times in hope. Usually inspired by yet another lock-in problem with proprietary extortion-ware.

I do have a couple of oldish Chromebooks I can try this on at some point though.

Using anything Google, Facebook or Microsoft now always just feels wrong.

I feel we are getting closer to open-source alternatives for everything, but they do need champions and how-tos for the much-needed simplicity that all users should expect for the greater value in what they can do with these tools in greater confidence of their privacy.

[timconsidine]

@marcusquinn said in Ubuntu Web:

Using anything Google, Facebook or Microsoft now always just feels wrong.

Darned right !

[marcusquinn]

Been setting this on old laptops - it is very good! Recommended!

[murgero]

@marcusquinn Oh yes it does work great - not as streamlined as chromeOS but I'd prefer this over COS cause of the open-source nature of ubuntu.

[marcusquinn]

@murgero I've been experimenting with other distributions, where Ubuntu doesn't seem to support all hardware for WiFi during installation (works if you connect to ethernet during installation) or sound-card Drivers, and found I really like OpenSUSE, probably more. Might do a post on that soon too for gathering screenshots and experiences.