Chrome OS PowerPC Port

[WalnutSpice]

I recently saw an ad for a Chromebook and it got me thinking, Chrome OS is open source and Linux based. Chrome OS is all web based. This is perfect for PowerPC Mac's (Would be better if we could also get a working version of Flash Player on a Chrome OS PPC Port). So I was wondering if anyone has successfully ported it over to the PPC platform and if so, is there a download? Chrome has a moderately minimal UI that a higher end G4 and any dual G5 would be able to handle.
So if Chrome OS hasn't been ported over, calling all talented people, this would be an amazing thing to attempt for the community. Chrome OS or any web based OS like Chrome would be perfect. The only issue is we'd still need Flash. Flash is what makes most Google Chrome apps and runs the web version of Spotify. You could say just use a lightweight Linux Distro thats already available but most of them have ugly interfaces, or to intensive interfaces. Another issue with these Linux PPC ports is graphics drivers. I've tried three Linux ports on my PowerBook and my PowerMac. They all booted on the PowerBook but where very unstable and had raging graphics issues. On my G5 two don't even boot, and Ubuntu 15 still doesn't support the GeForce FX 5200 which is in my system and are still in most G5s that are just used for casual computing.

 

[Dronecatcher]

I've tried three Linux ports on my PowerBook and my PowerMac. They all booted on the PowerBook but where very unstable and had raging graphics issues.

Although the installation and setup is long and tedious, Debian works well on Powerbook - and you can make a real bare bones install then add to it only the stuff you need. However, personally I didn't find it any faster than Tiger/Leopard and you sacrifice all the familiar OSX apps just to run a contemporary OS.

RE Chrome - you could try Stainless, which uses Safari frameworks but with a slim UI - I think it was designed along Chrome lines.
There's also Roccat that is still supported and is a more modern feeling browser.

 

[eyoungren]

If there is one browser I dislike more than Webkit, it's Chrome.

Chrome as my OS. God no!

 

[2984839]

Porting Chrome OS would be an enormous project, if it could be done at all. I don't see it happening.

The only Linux distro I have run on PPC was Ubuntu and I got fed up with it very quickly, but you're not stuck using the DE/window manager they give you. You can hunt around to find one you like. ATI graphics issues are supposedly fixed in the latest version of Mesa. No clue about NVIDIA support because I only ran it on a DLSD.

You could give OpenBSD a shot if you want something rock solid, secure, and up to date.

 

[jruschme]

I think there is a fundamental gotcha in that the V8 Javascript engine used by Chrome has only been ported to x86 and Arm. You'd probably be more likely to see a port of the Chrome browser to PPC before Chromium OS.

Now a PPC port of Android... that is probably more doable.

 

[mzs.112000]

I think there is a fundamental gotcha in that the V8 Javascript engine used by Chrome has only been ported to x86 and Arm. You'd probably be more likely to see a port of the Chrome browser to PPC before Chromium OS.

Now a PPC port of Android... that is probably more doable.

There was a port of Android to PowerPC, but it is very old and does not support any PowerPC Macs.
http://www.androidppc.com/

 

[bunnspecial]

Porting Chrome OS would be an enormous project, if it could be done at all. I don't see it happening.

The only Linux distro I have run on PPC was Ubuntu and I got fed up with it very quickly, but you're not stuck using the DE/window manager they give you. You can hunt around to find one you like. ATI graphics issues are supposedly fixed in the latest version of Mesa. No clue about NVIDIA support because I only ran it on a DLSD.

You could give OpenBSD a shot if you want something rock solid, secure, and up to date.

And, having purchased that very machine with Ubuntu still installed on it, I will report that I lasted a couple of hours with Ubuntu. My biggest complaint was the operation of the trackpad.

I still have the HDD with Ubuntu installed on it, but the computer is now running Leopard.

 

[mzs.112000]

And, having purchased that very machine with Ubuntu still installed on it, I will report that I lasted a couple of hours with Ubuntu. My biggest complaint was the operation of the trackpad.

I still have the HDD with Ubuntu installed on it, but the computer is now running Leopard.

You did not like the operation of the trackpad?
There is a article about helping the operation of trackpads on Macbook Pro's, it should also work on PowerBook's but I don't know for sure, as I have never had any issues with Linux on PowerPC's apart from graphical problems on a G3 iBook.
Anyway this is the article: http://www.chris-reilly.org/blog/technotes/macbook-trackpad-in-ubuntu/

 

[roadbloc]

ChromeOS is a horrible OS imo. It's the reason I returned my Chromebook. Great hardware, but locked and dumbed down by Google and their web only ********tery. Why would anyone want this OS to come to PPC is beyond me.