Goodbye Chrome OS - Wiping CR-48 off and installing Ubuntu

After 7 months of trying out Chrome OS on google's generously distributed CR-48, I am totally disappointed in the software. It is probably because I am not the casual internet user that google expected. After latest software updates, the touchpad became so 'non-usable'. The user experience was beyond annoying.

Considering that I had uploaded at least twenty bug/usage reports, I guess my part in evaluating Chrome OS was done. So the decision was to wipe chrome OS completely off and install Ubuntu.

First, let me warn you that if you do not like to crack open stuff, do not attempt this. First step is to flash CR-48 with a custom BIOS(InSyde H2O). For this follow steps here. Note that it involves opening up the back casing of CR-48. So make sure you have philips screwdriver set handy before you start.

Once the custom BIOS (InSyde H2O) is installed, you are basically ready to install any operating system. For optimal performance, consider Ubuntu desktop, netbook editions or Jolicloud (ChromeOS's better cousin)

I chose to go with Ubuntu Desktop edition.

Things you need :

A USB Stick with at least 2GB storage

Internet access on a Windows/Mac/Linux System

Step1: prepare USB Ubuntu bootable/install disk

Download Ubuntu. Now keep in mind that InSyde H2O some how fails to load newer Ubuntu OSs(Meerkat and Narwhal). That means you need to download Lucid Lynx(10.04) and follow steps here

Step2: Plug in the USB stick to your CR-48 and power on

With custom BIOS on, CR-48 will boot from the newly prepared Ubuntu USB drive

Step3: Once ubuntu started, click on the desktop icon to Install the software

During the install, you will be presented options to retain existing OS's. But I chose to completely erase my SSD. That means if you change your mind and wanted to go back to ChromeOS, you need to restore BIOS and have ChromeOS restore disk handy.

Step 4: Installation completes, as system reboots remove the USB drive and the system boots in Ubuntu Lucid Lynx. At this point connect to Internet (wireless or otherwise - everything works out of the box) and update your system.

Step 5: Fixing the "touchpad" - Touchpad acts crappy under Lucid Lynx. So upgrade Lucid Lynx to "Maverick Meerkat" by enabling release upgrades on your Synaptic Upgrade manager as described here.

This will not only upgrade your CR-48 to Maverick Meerkat but will install necessary software for configuring the touch pad. The touch pad can be configured by "Touch Pad" tab on System->Preferences->Mouse. This lets you enable double finger scroll, disabling tap click etc. ( very important for usability)

I am totally enjoying my CR-48 now, with great free software, iPod integration and about 10G free SSD space to store things locally.

I stopped my upgrad e at Meerkat and did not go to Narwhal as it might be a bit slower on CR-48

End result (with awn dock, global menu and Fusion Blue theme) :

Update : Updated to Natty using package manager by turning on release updates, no issues everything working smooth including the synaptic touch pad.

Cricket Thoughts

For those who do not know, there is a Cricket World cup in progress. I had been watching India's matches live and I had some random thoughts in my mind.
Why this series is interesting? Is it because it is being held in the Indian sub-continent? Is it because India has a shot at the finals? Is it because technology and analysis has so advanced that there is an interesting statistics at every ball of the game? No it is because there are two players involved, who are playing their last world cup matches.

Sachin Tendulkar

Well, my writing prowess are not just enough to write about him. And so much is already written an spoken about him! Anyway, to put in my humble way, the only player I like in the current Indian team is Sachin. Also, he has not disappointed me in the recent world cup games. I am just hoping that the rest of the mixed talent (or horribly talented at bowling) Indian team will put their heart out there and give the little master the adieu that he deserves.

Shoaib Akhtar

Plain and simple, raw pace and aggression fitting to a fast bowler. Though he sucks with his discipline and fitness, he entertained us with his superb, sometimes brutal yorkers. He may not be a smooth operator like McGrath or fit like Brett Lee. But the game is alive when he is out there running up like the 'Rawalpindi express'. There are many memorable yorkers and reverse swings from this man that bowled out batting maestros like Dravid and Tendulkar.

Good luck you both!

Where is ChromeOS headed?

About one and a half months with my CR 48 - Thank you google - but I think that ChromeOS is not going to make it big.It is another thing that I use it daily. But I don't see ChromeOS finding too many consumers. It can but only if someone releases hardware below $100.00 for it. Otherwise it is going to go down the drain or end up as an "enthusiast" platform. Here is why:

Good old PC mind set.
We all know, people resist changes. Average PC user has learned the quirks of computer GUI with great difficulty. It will be hard to unlearn start menu, the explorer, folders and files. Then, a radical change in perspective. A perspective that of ChromeOS where you do not have any obvious explorer, no files (yes there are, but you will not see them unless you are ready to tinker with the OS) or the "start" menu. Now whatever I said in terms of Windows applies to Mac users as well - may be in a harder way because Mac users are seem to be more fanatic about the desktop operating system.

I need it and I need it in my disk.

This is again a human nature. Every one wants to "own" things. I will not settle down for the fact that my favourite songs are sitting somewhere in the "cloud", Pandora or youtube.

When I have it on a CD, I have it in my iPod, I have it in a hard disk - I own it! Oh the materialistic world we live in! But that is true. I am not satisfied with my photos that live safely some where in the cloud either - even if it is full resolution on flickr. I still need them on a DVD backup or on an external hard disk. If you already don't know, ChromeOS does not give you an interface to access a CD/iPod or an external Hard disk(at least not now). The operating environment is just not for that. You are supposed to be on the "clouds" always.

Does everyone trust google with their documents?

Well that is another question. Google suggests that you can keep all your documents, spreadsheets and presentations in online "work" softwares like the google docs. I regularly use it, and I am a big fan of it. If you do not use google docs, you are pretty much left with no option to work on documents and spreadsheets on ChromeOS. It even saves certain personal data in the "cloud". But what the skeptics think of trusting google with your data? do you feel comfortable? And note, google is just another company.

Consumers crave for an iPad than a mini notebook when thinking of a "net" device

Just to quote Steve Jobs, 2010 was the year of the iPad. Yes, no doubt about it. Though Android tables were released, none caught up. Some even died an ungraceful death (streak, I am looking at you). But when you picture a "personal post-PC" device of 21st century, it is a 'pad' rather than a 'book'.

ChromeOS netbooks are going to face fierce competition from all the pads that other companies are going to release along with Apple's revised iPads. I think it is a losing battle for ChromeOS even if someone comes up with a ChromeOS pad. It will not be compelling enough on a tablet in comparison to Android or iOS goodness.