Goobuntu

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Goobuntu was a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS (long-term support). It was used by almost 10,000 Google employees. [1] It added a number of packages for in-house use, including security features and disabled the installation of some applications, but was otherwise similar. Thomas Bushnell, a Google technical leader for the company's Linux desktops, displayed Goobuntu at LinuxCon 2012. Bushnell explained that "Goobuntu is simply a light skin over standard Ubuntu." [2]

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Some suggested Google might plan to market the distribution more widely, but Goobuntu was never officially released. [3] [4] [5] While both Google and Mark Shuttleworth, who spearheaded the development of Ubuntu, confirmed the existence of Goobuntu, [6] both denied that Google had any plans to market the operating system. [7]

Mark Shuttleworth confirmed that Google has contributed patches to Ubuntu. [6]

Google used Puppet to manage its installed base of Goobuntu machines. [2]

In 2018, Google replaced Goobuntu with gLinux, a Linux distribution based on Debian Testing. [8]

See also

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References

  1. Vance, Ashlee (2009-01-11). "A Software Populist Who Doesn't Do Windows". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  2. 1 2 Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (2012-08-29). "The truth about Goobuntu: Google's in-house desktop Ubuntu Linux". ZDNet. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  3. King, Ben (2006-01-31). "Google at work on Linux". The Register . Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  4. "GoogleOS Scenarios". Slashdot . 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  5. "Google Working on Desktop Linux". Slashdot . 2006-01-31. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  6. 1 2 Shuttleworth, Mark (2006-02-13). "Absolutely no truth to the rumour" . Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  7. Bylund, Anders (31 January 2006). "Google denies plans to distribute OS based on Ubuntu". Ars Technica.
  8. Prakash, Abhishek (17 January 2018). "No More Ubuntu! Debian is the New Choice For Google's In-house Linux Distribution". it's FOSS.