UserLAnd Technologies

Last updated
UserLAnd
Developer(s) UserLAnd Technologies, LLC
Initial releaseOctober 17, 2018;4 years ago (2018-10-17)
Stable release
2.7.3 / August 5, 2020;2 years ago (2020-08-05) [1]
Repository github.com/CypherpunkArmory/UserLAnd
Written in Kotlin and Java
Operating system Android
Size 14.04 MB
Available in10 languages
Type Compatibility layer
License GPLv3
Website userland.tech

UserLAnd Technologies is a free and open-source compatibility layer mobile app that allows Linux distributions, computer programs, computer games and numerical computing programs to run on mobile devices without requiring a root account. UserLAnd also provides a program library of popular free and open-source Linux-based programs to which additional programs and different versions of programs can be added.

Contents

The name "UserLAnd" is a reference to the concept of userland in modern computer operating systems.

Overview

Unlike other Linux compatibility layer mobile apps, UserLAnd does not require a root account. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] UserLAnd's ability to function without root directories, also known as "rooting," avoids "bricking" or the non-functionality of the mobile device while the Linux program is in use, which in addition to making the mobile device non-functional may void the device's warranty. [4] Furthermore, the requirement of programs other than UserLAnd to "root" your mobile device has proven a formidable challenge for inexperienced Linux users. [6] A prior application, GNURoot Debian, attempted to similarly run Linux programs on mobile devices, but it has ceased to be maintained and, therefore, is no longer operational. [6]

UserLAnd allows those with a mobile device to run Linux programs, many of which aren't available as mobile apps. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Even for those Linux applications, e.g. Firefox, which have mobile versions available, people often find that their user experience with these mobile versions pales in comparison with their desktop. [11] UserLAnd allows its users to recreate that desktop experience on their mobile device.

UserLAnd currently only operates on Android mobile devices. UserLAnd is available for download on Google Play and F-Droid. [12] [13]

Operation

To use UserLAnd, one must first download – typically from F-Droid or the Google Play Store – the application and then install it. [4] [5] [6] [11] Once installed, a user selects an app to open. [4] [5] [6] [11] When a program is selected, the user is prompted to enter login information and select a connection type. [4] [5] [6] [11] Following this, the user gains access to their selected program. [4] [5] [6] [11]

Program library

UserLAnd is pre-loaded with the distributions Alpine, Arch, Debian, Kali, and Ubuntu; the web browser Firefox; the desktop environments LXDE and Xfce; the deployment environments Git and IDLE; the text-based games Colossal Cave Adventure and Zork; the numerical computing programs gnuplot, GNU Octave and R; the office suite LibreOffice; and the graphics editors GIMP and Inkscape. Further Linux programs and different versions of programs may be added to this program library.

Reception

A review on Slant.co listed UserLAnd's "Pro's": support for VNC X sessions, no "rooting" required, easy setup, and that it's free and open-source; and "Con's": its lack of support for Lollipop and the difficulty of use for non-technical users. [14] On the contrary, OS Journal found that the lack of a need to "root" your mobile device made using UserLAnd considerably easier than Linux compatibility layer applications, a position shared with SlashGear's review of UserLAnd. [6] [8] OS Journal went on to state that with UserLAnd one could do "almost anything" and "you’re (only) limited by your insanity" with respect to what you can do with the application. [6] Linux Journal stated that "UserLAnd offers a quick and easy way to run an entire Linux distribution, or even just a Linux application or game, from your pocket." [3] SlashGear stated that UserLAnd is "absolutely super simple to use and requires little to no technical knowledge to get off the ground running." [8]

See also

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References

  1. "Release v2.7.3". Github. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 Okoi, Martins D. (2019-03-09). "UserLAnd – Run Linux Distros and Apps on Android Easily". FOSSMint. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  3. 1 2 3 Koutoupis, Petros (2018-07-09). "UserLAnd, a Turnkey Linux in Your Pocket". Linux Journal . Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wallen, Jack (2018-03-06). "How to Run Linux On Android Devices". Lifewire . Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mutai, Josphat (2018-10-21). "Install and run Linux distribution on Android without root using UserLAnd". computingforgeeks.com. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Torres, JC (2018-11-11). "UserLAnd Review: a little Linux in your pocket". OS Journal. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  7. 1 2 Verma, Adarsh (2018-10-22). "Want To Run Linux On Android Without Rooting? Using UserLAnd". Fossbytes. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Burns, Chris (2018-10-18). "Suddenly Linux runs in Android". SlashGear. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  9. 1 2 Padla, Rei (2018-10-19). "UserLand allows Linux apps, distributions run on Android". androidcommunity.com. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  10. 1 2 Korben (2019-06-17). "Dotez votre smartphone Android de plusieurs distribs Linux avec UserLand". korben.info. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Basu, Sarbasish (2019-06-28). "UserLAnd: Install Git, IDLE, GIMP Linux PC based apps on Android". how2shout.com. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  12. "UserLAnd on the Google Play Store" . Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  13. "UserLAnd on F-Droid" . Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  14. Julian; FerventSeker; Monika; ProfessionalIkuTurso; CromulentPellonPekko (2018-11-09). "Ways to Run Linux Applications on Android: UserLAnd - A Review". Slant.co . Retrieved 2019-07-27.