Veronica Explains

Yes, there are many ways to install Linux on a Chromebook. In my humble opinion, this is the best way. Maybe you'll like it!

In today's thrilling episode of Veronica Explains, I'll introduce you to the Chrultrabook project, and the process of installing a more vanilla Coreboot on Chromebooks, overwriting the stock firmware, and to paraphrase the Coreboot docs, take the training wheels off of your Chromebook.

Then we'll install lots of Linuxes and a few other things!

Veronica Explains wouldn't be possible without your support. Monthly sustainers get extra perks like a weekly newsletter and a positive community. More perks being added regularly, so come check it out!

• https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains
• https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains

Links referenced in my video:

• Chrultrabook Docs: https://docs.chrultrabook.com
• Chrultrabook Forums: https://forum.chrultrabook.com
• MrChromebox script homepage: https://mrchromebox.tech
• Supported devices for this firmware: https://docs.chrultrabook.com/docs/firmware/supported-devices.html
• SuzyQable eBay listing which I found useful (not an affiliate link): https://www.ebay.com/itm/335130747039
• Debian Testing: https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

Chapters: 0:00 Why install Linux on a Chromebook? 1:34 Cautions, disclaimers, no warranty, YMMV, etc 2:46 My Linux Chromebook: a Thinkpad C13 Yoga 3:23 Introducing Chrultrabook and the MrChromebox scripts 4:36 Determining your Chromebook architecture with crosh 5:13 Putting your Chromebook in Developer Mode 6:17 ChromeOS' VT-2 terminal vs crosh 7:00 Choosing replacement Chromebook firmware: RW_LEGACY or UEFI Full ROM 8:43 Disabling write protect features on a Chromebook 9:58 Running the MrChromebox firmware utility script 13:20 Installing (almost) every Linux on my modified Chromebook (and a few other OSes) 15:42 The saga of installing Debian on my Chromebook 18:39 The Chrultrabook community: an awesome resource

#Linux #chromeos #chromebook

In today's ROM-er-iffic episode of Veronica Explains, I check out the Open Source Cartridge Reader, an incredible little open source device, which you can build yourself. You can dump your ROMs and save states from a variety of popular vintage video game consoles.

Stores selling kits or preassembled OSCRs (not sponsored, no affiliate links):

• Where I got mine: https://cartreader.net
• Starshade: https://store.starshade.dev
• Bonzo's: https://bonzosretro.shop
• Save The Hero (currently selling an older revision, could be a good deal): https://savethehero.builders

Links you can use to learn more and build one yourself:

• Sanni's GitHub: https://github.com/sanni/cartreader
• Project wiki (yes, it's pronounced "Oscar"): https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki
• A bit about savegame conversion utilities: https://github.com/sanni/cartreader/wiki/Savegame-Conversion
• @ThisDoesNotCompute did an awesome video a while back about replacing batteries in your cartridge games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7I-oLD6Iyg

And lastly:

• My Patreon: https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains
• My Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains
• My PeerTube instance (watch ad free): https://tinkerbetter.tube

Chapters: 0:00 I say greetings and talk about OSCR 2:07 How do ROM cartridges work anyway? 5:46 What is ROM dumping? 7:01 (Finally) introducing the Sanni Open Source Cartridge Reader 9:26 DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer 10:03 Setting up your SD card for OSCR 11:58 Let's dump a Sonic ROM with the OSCR! 13:47 Ripping Metroid 15:01 Backing up and restoring save files with OSCR 17:29 How to get an OSCR 18:32 OSCR's quirks 19:44 Conclusion

Welcome to another Mint-tastic episode of Veronica Explains!

Today, I'm talking about Linux Mint, and Linux Mint Debian Edition, or LMDE. I used both Linux Mint versions for the last few weeks on my everyday laptop. Both are great, for sure. So why is LMDE positioned as an "alternative" to the Ubuntu-based "flagship" edition in the first place?

Let's talk about how these two distros work, and I'll share my thoughts.

Links you might like (not affiliate links or anything like that, I just think they're neat):

• Linux Mint in general: https://linuxmint.com
• Linux Mint talking about their stance on snaps specifically: https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/snap.html
• Linux Mint introducing the Cinnamon desktop project way back when: https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1910
• @LonSeidman talking about PeerTube on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rbA4Se4-z8
• Lon.tv's same video, but over on PeerTube: https://peertube.lon.tv/w/9BrrK2kR7jFdtLwTdUtqEf
• The 6502 shirt from @TaylorAmyShow (what I'm wearing): https://thetaylorandamyshow.myspreadshop.com/6502?idea=64c2a5659515e23cf872c9e7
• My own PeerTube (another place to watch these videos): https://tinkerbetter.tube

And lastly, my self promotion, which pays the bills for Veronica Explains:

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains
• Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains

Chapters: 0:00 I say "greetings" and introduce today's Minty Madness 1:20 What's LMDE about, anyway? 3:51 Why make a Linux Mint Debian Edition in the first place? 4:56 Mint vs LMDE- head to head 8:25 Veronica "games" 9:19 I just think LMDE is neat 15:45 What I'm watching- Lon.tv talking about PeerTube!

#linux #linuxmint #debian

OpenSSH's ssh-keygen command just got a great upgrade.

In today's episode, I cover how Ed25519 keys are now the default, and how it probably doesn't impact your workflow. I'll briefly cover how the whole thing works, in an under 10 minute video. As per the custom in these parts, there's a few vintage computing goodies peppered throughout the episode.

🫶 Support (how this channel makes money) 🫶

This episode of Veronica Explains isn't sponsored by anyone other than you. Your support makes this show possible, and I appreciate your consideration. Supporters at the $2/mo level get a weekly newsletter from me.

https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains

You can also buy nerdy shirts from my web store (it's not sponsorship, I literally host and maintain the web store myself, and my family designs the merch): https://vkc.sh/merch.

🤩 What I'm Watching! 🤩

Macintosh Librarian put out a great video about a Power Computing Macintosh clone recently that really caught my eye. I find the history of Apple, and Apple-adjacent technology fascinating, and if that's something you're into as well, Macintosh Librarian is worth your attention.

Her recent video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK-BkdnEF-8 Her channel (which you should subscribe to): https://youtube.com/MacintoshLibrarian

🖥️ Commands used during the making of this video 🖥️ ssh-keygen by itself: creates a default key in the default location (usually the .ssh folder inside the home directory).

With options, it gets more features. The -t option specifies the key type: -- ssh-keygen -t rsa generates an rsa key -- ssh-keygen -t ed25519 generates an ed25519 key

You'll see me combine this with the -f option to specify the output file(s). So ssh-keygen -f .ssh/testkeylmde -t ed25519 would create a key pair in the .ssh folder with the filename "testkeylmde" (and "testkeylmde.pub" for the public file).

You can then use ssh-copy-id to transfer and set up the public keyfile on a server, so that your private key will work with it:

ssh-copy-id -i [path-to-public-key] [user][at][server]

As I mentioned a few times, I have a more thorough OpenSSH video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FKsdbjzBcc

And for further reading about cryptography in general, here's some Wikipedia I referenced in the video:

• RSA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)
• Curve25519 (where ed25519 gets its mathy bits from): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curve25519
• The Twisted Edwards curve: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisted_Edwards_curve
• EdDSA (the section on Ed25519): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EdDSA#Ed25519

📖 Chapters 📖 0:00 News about OpenSSH! 1:48 The basics of OpenSSH and ssh-keygen 4:27 How does this change impact you? 7:34 Now's a good time to prune your keys 9:04 What I'm Watching: Macintosh Librarian

You asked for it, you got it. Here's what I think of Red Hat.

Sorry this video took a bit longer than I'd like, since I'm working on finishing my basement (future recording space) at the moment.

Anyway, I'm not planning on dwelling much on Red Hat beyond this- my plan is to move forward with community-driven distros in mind, and recommend those to customers in the months and years ahead. I hope Red Hat gets to a good place again. We'll see.

Supporters make this possible. Seriously, nobody's sponsoring this video except you!

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains
• Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains
• Buy my shirt: https://vkc.sh/merch

Important Red Hat links referenced in today's video:

• Their June 21, 2023 blog: https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/furthering-evolution-centos-stream
• Red Hat doubles down on June 26, 2023: https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/red-hats-commitment-open-source-response-gitcentosorg-changes
• "Our origin story" page on their website: https://www.redhat.com/en/about/why-we-choose-open-source
• The "Appendix 1" PDF containing license details: https://www.redhat.com/licenses/Appendix_1_Global_English_20230309.pdf
• "Our Code is Open" marketing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_tLugpz8g
• Guide for CentOS project code: https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2021/02/03/a-guide-for-using-centos-project-code
• Embracing CentOS: https://www.redhat.com/en/about/press-releases/red-hat-and-centos-join-forces
• Extending CentOS: https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/transforming-development-experience-within-centos
• Extinguishing CentOS: https://blog.centos.org/2020/12/future-is-centos-stream/
• CentOS Stream website: https://centos.org/centos-stream
• Red Hat saying CentOS Stream is not for production: https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/centos-stream-checklist
• IBM Q1 2023 results: https://newsroom.ibm.com/2023-04-19-IBM-RELEASES-FIRST-QUARTER-RESULTS

Other important links referenced in the video:

• Rocky's plan: https://rockylinux.org/news/keeping-open-source-open/
• Debian's "who we are" page: https://www.debian.org/intro/people
• Debian's "who can contribute" page: https://www.debian.org/intro/help
• LWN.net's Kernel 6.1 stats page: https://lwn.net/Articles/915435/

#linux #opensource #redhat

Chapters: 0:00 Brought to you by corporate greed 1:02 #YARDE (Yet Another RHEL Drama Explanation) 3:08 Scars from CentOS 5:08 So what's next? 6:48 Why am I going all in on Debian? 8:11 The "culture" is the culprit 9:43 What about Pop!_OS? 11:13 Don't tell me what to do, Veronica

My channel's not sponsored by anyone other than you. To help me keep it that way, please support if you can. Thank you so much!

https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains

In today's very fun and very improvised video, I'm going to install GrapheneOS on a brand new Pixel 7. I haven't changed an OS on an Android phone in years, so this will be exciting. And messy!

Resources (these are not affiliate links): 📖 Companion blog post: https://vkc.sh/how-i-use-a-smartphone/ 📱 GrapheneOS website: https://grapheneOS.org 🤖 F-Droid project: https://f-droid.org/ 🌃 AuroraOSS website I visited briefly, I hope it's legit: https://auroraoss.com/

I also reference two videos from other YouTubers: I have not watched these in their entirety and am merely providing these as information which you may want to consider (I am not endorsing any views here): Louis Rossmann video referenced: • Why I deleted Gra...
Techlore video referenced: • GrapheneOS: Docum...

Chapters 'n' stuff: 0:00 This is not a GrapheneOS tutorial 0:51 What is GrapheneOS 2:47 Pixel 7 unboxing 3:51 Starting to install GrapheneOS but oops I need to update first 6:13 Actually installing GrapheneOS 11:46 Booting GrapheneOS for the first time 13:36 The great "app installation" saga of 2023 20:30 Should I use the Aurora Store, maybe? 23:30 Immediate conclusions about the initial install and configuration 25:03 Conclusions after a few weeks with GrapheneOS

*some restrictions apply, because of course they do. :/

In today's episode of Veronica Explains, I talk about Minnesota's new right-to-repair law, the "Digital Fair Repair Act". Which is epic, yet sadly has some "interesting" carveouts. I also interview two awesome staff members at Free Geek Twin Cities, one of my favorite places in all of the land!

Minnesotans will now get free manuals for most consumer electronics, thanks to this new law! And because most manufacturers will be expected to make the free manuals available online, that probably means everyone gets free manuals!

Links for you: ⚖️ The law: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/57/ (it's Sec. 11. [325E.72], search for "Digital Fair Repair") 🔧 iFixit's read on it: https://www.ifixit.com/News/75965/ 💾 Free Geek Twin Cities: https://freegeektwincities.org 👕 Buy my shirt on my website: https://vkc.sh/merch

Chapters for you to peruse: 0:00 I'm no lawyer but I think it's an introduction 0:22 More repair manuals than ever before! 1:31 What exactly does the new Minnesota repair law say? 2:10 Of course there's carveouts 3:35 Interview with Free Geek Twin Cities about Right to Repair! 7:44 What's next for us in repairland?

Lastly, my channel wouldn't be possible without support from viewers like you. If you'd like to help me make more Veronica Explains, I would welcome you to become a channel member at Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains) or Patreon (https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains). I appreciate you for thinking about supporting me in my endeavor to explain Linux, vintage tech, and more.

#righttorepair #retrocomputing #minnesota

I found a Bondi Blue iMac G3 lying in the street!

In today's Mac-tastic episode of Veronica Explains, I try and get this trashed roadside iMac G3 from 1998 working again. I'll go through all of the steps I took, and we'll see if we can get this classic 90s computer working again.

Huge shout-out to Bryce from Midnight Notion (@MidnightNotion on YouTube) for helping me find this beast!

Also, credit is owed to @ActionRetro and @MacintoshLibrarian from YouTube for having awesome 90s-friendly websites.

Oh, and if you want to help support the channel, please check out https://patreon.com/veronicaexplains. I'm not sponsored, so every bit does help. Thank you!

Chapters: 0:00 Let's go #MARCHintosh with this iMac G3 I found in the street! 0:34 Why does the iMac G3 matter? 1:50 How'd I find a Bondi Blue iMac lying in the street? 3:55 Getting the iMac cleaned up and checked 5:00 Inspecting and cleaning the iMac G3 logic board, removing the battery 7:10 Installing an SSD and reassembling the CD-ROM drive in the iMac G3 9:22 Final reassembly and initial testing of the iMac G3 10:25 Moment of truth- does the trashed iMac G3 actually boot up? 11:00 Partitioning and installing Mac OS 8.5.1 on the iMac G3 12:40 Getting the Bondi Blue iMac G3 on the modern internet! 15:02 Cleaning the crud out of the iMac I found in the street

Mastodon is all the rage among the cool kids, and is growing in popularity among folks who've left Twitter.

It's easily self-hostable, too, which is awesome! So, should you stand up your own server? I'm not recommending it to most folks, and this video explains why. TLDR- build communities and not silos.

Links to support Veronica Explains: 🅿️ Patreon/memberships: https://support.linux.mom 👚 Get the shirt: https://vkc.sh/merch

0:00 I say "greetings" and tell you what Mastodon is 3:11 Should you spin up your own Mastodon server? 5:40 Why you might want to spin one up anyway 6:27 Mastodon is exciting, and we should use it responsibly

#mastodon #twitter #selfhosted