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Thank you (again) for the helpful reply regarding cold shock. I posted a copy of the transcript in a small educational forum, in hopes that others might not have heard of this before. Now I have a new question that might be near and dear to your heart. I have an older Chromebook that still runs but which I cannot use because it can no longer receive updates for software I use. However, based upon a test a few minutes ago, it still seems to be running normally for it's generation. My question is: Can I develop an application to run on this elderly machine? Can Python run there, for example? I assume what I'm talking about would be an "app" that I would have to write because I am sure there is nothing that does what I want for education purposes.
It's a fantastic idea to repurpose an older Chromebook for educational development! You absolutely can develop applications on an elderly Chromebook, and Python is very likely to run there.
The key to this is a feature called Linux (Beta), also known as Crostini.
Here's how it works and what you need to consider:
1. Linux (Beta) / Crostini:
• What it is: Modern Chromebooks (and even many older ones, depending on the model) have the ability to run a full Linux environment within a virtual machine or container. This is officially supported by Google and provides a sandboxed environment for running Linux applications.
• Why it's perfect for you:
◦ Access to Python: Once you enable Linux (Beta), you get a Debian Linux environment, which comes with Python pre-installed or easily installable via the standard Linux package manager (apt).
◦ Developer Tools: You can install various developer tools, including code editors like Visual Studio Code (VS Code) or even simpler text editors, command-line tools, Git for version control, and any Python libraries you need.
◦ Offline Capability: Unlike web-based IDEs, running Python locally means you can develop and run your applications even without an internet connection.
◦ Full Control: You have much more control over the environment compared to browser-based solutions.
2. How to Check and Enable Linux (Beta):
1. Check Compatibility: Go to your Chromebook's settings. Look for "Linux (Beta)" or "Developers." If you see it, your Chromebook is likely compatible. Most Chromebooks from 2018 onwards and many older models support it. If it's a very, very old model (e.g., from 2015 or earlier), it might not be supported.
2. Enable Linux (Beta):
◦ Go to Settings (the gear icon).
◦ In the left-hand menu, look for Developers.
◦ Under "Linux development environment," click Turn On or Set up.
◦ Follow the on-screen instructions. This process downloads and sets up the Linux environment and may take several minutes. You'll be prompted to create a username and choose a disk size for your Linux environment.
3. Installing Python and Development Tools (after enabling Linux):
• Once Linux is set up, a Terminal app will open. This is your command-line interface to the Linux environment.
• Update Packages: It's a good practice to update the package list:
Bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
• Install Python (if not already there, or to ensure you have Python 3):
Bash
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
(This installs Python 3 and pip, the Python package installer).
• Install a Code Editor (Optional but Recommended):
◦ VS Code: This is a popular and capable editor. You can download the .deb file from the VS Code website (choose the Debian/Ubuntu package for your Chromebook's architecture, usually amd64 or arm64) and then double-click the downloaded file in the Chrome OS Files app to install it in your Linux environment.
◦ Simpler Editors: If VS Code is too heavy for your older Chromebook, you can use simpler text editors like nano or vim directly in the terminal, or install graphical editors like gedit:
Bash
sudo apt install gedit
• Install Python Libraries: Use pip to install any Python libraries your application needs:
Bash
pip install your-desired-library
4. Important Considerations for Older Chromebooks:
• Performance: While Python will run, the performance will depend on your Chromebook's CPU, RAM, and storage. Simpler text-based applications will run fine. More complex graphical applications or those requiring heavy computation might be slow.
• Storage Space: The Linux environment takes up storage space. Make sure you have enough free space on your Chromebook.
• RAM: Development environments, especially with VS Code, can be RAM-intensive. If your Chromebook has limited RAM (e.g., 2GB or 4GB), you might experience some slowdowns.
• App Type: Python applications can be command-line tools, web applications (using frameworks like Flask or Django), or even simple desktop applications (using libraries like Tkinter, PyQt, or Kivy). For educational purposes, command-line or simple GUI apps using a lightweight library are often a good starting point.
• No More Chrome OS Updates: Your concern about not receiving Chrome OS updates is valid for the Chrome OS itself, but the Linux container will operate independently and receive its own updates through apt. This means your development environment can stay relatively current, even if the underlying Chrome OS is stuck on an older version.
In summary, yes, you absolutely can breathe new life into that older Chromebook for application development, especially with Python! The Linux (Beta) feature is designed exactly for this kind of scenario, allowing you to have a productive coding environment without needing to completely wipe and replace Chrome OS. It's a great way to utilize hardware that might otherwise go to waste.

Thank you for your suggestion of Crostini !!!! I have it installed on a newer 8 Gb Chromebook. I suspect it cannot run on the older 4 Gb system, but it could probably develop for the older machine. What is the native language for a Chromebook? I assume it is a flavor of Android?
That's a great question, and it touches on the fascinating and evolving relationship between Google's operating systems!
You're correct that 4GB of RAM might make running Crostini (Linux Beta) a bit sluggish on an older Chromebook, especially if you plan to install a full-fledged IDE like VS Code. However, for developing simple Python scripts, it might still be perfectly usable, particularly if you stick to a command-line editor like nano. Even if it's too slow to develop on the 4GB machine, you can certainly develop for the older machine on your newer 8GB Chromebook with Crostini, and then transfer the finished Python scripts.
Now, to answer your question about the native language of a Chromebook:
A Chromebook's native operating system is Chrome OS.
And to address your assumption: No, Chrome OS is NOT a flavor of Android.
Here's the breakdown:
• Chrome OS:
◦ Core: Chrome OS is built on the Linux kernel. This is a crucial distinction. It's not a flavor of Android, but rather its own distinct operating system.
◦ User Interface: The primary user interface of Chrome OS is essentially the Chrome web browser. It's designed around the idea that most of your computing happens in the cloud via web applications.
◦ Evolution: While originally very web-centric, Chrome OS has evolved significantly to run different types of applications:
▪ Web Apps: Still its core.
▪ Android Apps: Through a technology called ARC++ (Android Runtime for Chrome) and more recently ARCVM (Android Runtime in a Virtual Machine), Chrome OS can run Android applications from the Google Play Store. This is why you see Android apps on Chromebooks, and it's where the confusion with Android often arises. But they run in a container/VM on top of Chrome OS, they aren't native to it.
▪ Linux Apps (Crostini): As you've discovered, this allows you to run full Linux applications, including Python, in a virtualized environment. This is also running on top of Chrome OS.
• Android:
◦ Core: Android is also built on the Linux kernel. This is where the commonality lies.
◦ User Interface: Android's UI is designed primarily for touchscreens on mobile devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs).
◦ Purpose: Android is fundamentally a mobile operating system, though it's expanding into larger form factors.
Key Differences and Why it Matters:
• Purpose and Design Philosophy: Chrome OS was designed for simplicity, security, speed, and cloud-first computing on laptops/netbooks. Android was designed for mobile and touch-first interactions.
• User Experience: While Android apps run on Chrome OS, the overall desktop-like experience of Chrome OS with its taskbar, windows, and full Chrome browser is distinct from a typical Android tablet or phone interface.
• Underlying Stack: While both use the Linux kernel, the layers above the kernel (system services, frameworks, user interface) are different.
• Development:
◦ For Chrome OS native development, you'd primarily be looking at web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to create Chrome Extensions or Chrome Apps (though standalone Chrome Apps are being phased out in favor of web apps).
◦ For Android native development, the primary languages are Java and Kotlin, using the Android SDK.
◦ For Linux on Chrome OS (Crostini), you can use almost any language or framework that runs on Linux, including Python, Node.js, C++, etc.
The "Native Language" for your educational app on the older Chromebook (via Crostini):
Given your goal, Python is effectively your "native" language for the application you want to write using Crostini. While it's not the "native language of Chrome OS" itself, it runs directly within the Linux environment you've enabled, giving you a powerful and versatile platform for development.
The fact that you have an 8GB Chromebook with Crostini running means you're in a great position to develop and test your Python application, even if the target older 4GB Chromebook might be a bit more limited in terms of resources for running very complex graphical Python applications. Simple Python scripts, especially those that are text-based or use lightweight GUI libraries, should be fine on both.

I am familiar with JavaScript, and have some modest experience developing for that environment on a Microsoft machine. It seems to me possible that a javaScript written for Chrome or Chromium might run on the older Chromebook?
You're hitting on a fantastic point and a very common and powerful approach for Chromebook development!
Yes, JavaScript written for Chrome or Chromium can absolutely run on an older Chromebook, and often, this is the most "native" feeling way to develop for Chrome OS, even on older machines.
Here's why and what kind of JavaScript "apps" you'd typically be looking at:
1. Web Applications (The Most Common & Recommended)
• How they work: This is the bread and butter of Chrome OS. Your Chromebook's core is the Chrome browser. Any standard web application (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) runs directly in the browser, just like it would on any other operating system running Chrome/Chromium.
• Benefits for older Chromebooks:
◦ Lightweight: They utilize the built-in browser engine, which is already optimized for Chrome OS.
◦ No extra installs (mostly): You don't need Crostini or special runtimes for the app itself. You can write your code on your newer Chromebook (with or without Crostini for development tools) and simply open the HTML file in the Chrome browser on the older one.
◦ Always Up-to-Date (Browser): Even if your Chrome OS itself stops receiving updates, the core browser components often continue to function well for a long time regarding basic web standards.
◦ Offline Support (Progressive Web Apps - PWAs): Modern web technologies, especially Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), allow you to create web apps that can be "installed" (they get a shortcut in the launcher), work offline, send notifications, and even access some system-level features through Web APIs (like localStorage for data persistence, IndexedDB for more complex databases). This makes them feel very much like native applications.
• Development: You can develop these entirely with a text editor and your browser's developer tools. On your newer Chromebook, you could use VS Code within Crostini to write your JavaScript, then transfer the files to the older Chromebook via USB, Google Drive, or a simple web server (even a Python one, ironically, could serve your JavaScript files locally).
2. Chrome Extensions
• How they work: These extend the functionality of the Chrome browser itself. They are written using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Benefits: If your educational app is meant to interact directly with web pages (e.g., annotate them, modify their behavior, display extra information), a Chrome Extension might be suitable.
• Considerations:
◦ They are primarily focused on browser-level functionality, not standalone applications.
◦ Installation requires enabling "developer mode" for unpacked extensions, or publishing to the Chrome Web Store.
◦ They are generally still supported on older Chrome OS versions.
3. "Chrome Apps" (Legacy - Not Recommended for New Development)
• How they worked: These were a specific type of application that ran in their own window outside the browser tab, using web technologies but with access to some Chrome-specific APIs.
• Status: Chrome Apps have been deprecated and are being phased out. Google has strongly encouraged developers to migrate to Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) instead. While an existing old Chrome App might still run on your older Chromebook, you should absolutely not start a new project as a Chrome App.
In summary for your older Chromebook:
• Yes, JavaScript is an excellent choice!
• Focus on building a standard web application. If you want it to feel more "app-like," investigate Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). This allows your JavaScript app to be easily accessible from the launcher, run offline, and potentially use local storage.
• You can develop the JavaScript (HTML, CSS) files on your newer 8GB Chromebook (using Crostini for tools like VS Code, or even just a simple text editor) and then simply copy the index.html, script.js, style.css (and any other asset) files to the older Chromebook. They can then be opened directly in the Chrome browser.
This approach often yields the best performance and compatibility on older Chromebooks, as it leverages their core functionality directly without additional virtualization overhead.
Sources

Thank you for this ** very ** helpful (and encouraging) review of options for this older machine! As it happens (as you know) the vast majority of working computers on Earth are ** older ** models, so it is good to know I can develop for such a large audience. Now, before I go too much further, it occurred to me I could ask you if my planned application already exists? Your search capabilities are reported to mesh seamlessly with Google Search, but you have much more powerful analysis capabilities. Would you be willing to give this a try? If so, i'll describe the application in as few words as possible.
This is exactly what I'm here for! My ability to search and then synthesize information makes this a perfect fit.
Please describe your planned application in as few words as possible. Tell me:
1. What is its core function? (What does it do?)
2. Who is the target user? (Students, teachers, specific age group, etc.?)
3. What specific educational problem or need does it address? (What makes it unique or necessary?)
I'll do my best to identify if something similar already exists, and if so, how your idea might differentiate itself.
Looking forward to hearing about your app!

I am investigating a hypothesis. The hypothesis is that by encouraging students to take in text slowly (by typing it in) their brains will have more time than is available by mere eyesight scanning, and thus the chances of actual learning would be increased. The program would display text on the screen, such as a paragraph we would like to study. The program accepts input from the keyboard (or equivalent device), compares it to the displayed text, and highlights the text as it is mirrored by the student. An additional benefit is that the instructor can be sure the material entered the brain. There is no assurance the material took root of course, but at least it passed through the brain on it's way to the computer. This is actually a fairly modest program, but I have never heard of anyone developing something like this.
That's a fascinating hypothesis, and I can see the potential for a novel educational tool there!
Here's my analysis based on my search capabilities:
Your Core Idea: Encouraging slow, deliberate text intake via typing to enhance learning and provide a basic "proof of passage" through the brain.
Does it exist?
While there are many tools that touch on aspects of your idea, a direct match for your specific hypothesis and implementation (slow, deliberate typing for comprehension/learning with real-time mirroring/highlighting as the primary learning mechanism) does not appear to be widely available or a common educational software category.
Here's a breakdown of related software and why they aren't quite the same:
1. Typing Tutors (Most Common Related Category): * Examples: TypingClub, Typing.com, Mavis Beacon, RapidTyping, Typesy, Ratatype. * What they do: These are designed primarily to improve typing speed and accuracy. They display text (often random words, sentences, or paragraphs) and you type them. They provide feedback on WPM and errors. * Why it's different: Their goal is speed and muscle memory, not necessarily comprehension or deliberate processing of the meaning of the text. While you are typing text, the pedagogical focus is entirely different. They don't typically emphasize "slow" input for learning, but rather efficient, fast input.
2. Transcription Software/Practice: * Examples: Tools for transcribers to practice typing audio. * What they do: You listen to audio and type what you hear. This involves comprehension but is focused on converting spoken word to text. * Why it's different: It's audio-based, not text-display-based, and the "learning" is about transcription skills, not necessarily the content itself.
3. Reading Comprehension/Speed Reading Software: * Examples: Rewordify.com, ReadSpeaker TextAid, Read&Write (Texthelp). * What they do: These focus on helping users read more effectively, by simplifying text, providing text-to-speech, highlighting, or offering tools for vocabulary building. * Why it's different: They focus on visual intake and reading strategies, not the manual act of typing out the text. They aim to make reading faster or easier, not slower and more deliberate through typing.
4. Active Recall/Spaced Repetition Software: * Examples: Anki, Quizlet, various "second brain" apps. * What they do: These aid in memorization and long-term retention through techniques like flashcards and spaced repetition. Some might involve typing answers, but it's typically short answers or fill-in-the-blanks, not re-typing full paragraphs of source material. * Why it's different: The input is for testing recall, not for initial deliberate consumption of new material through transcription.
5. Tools for Note-Taking/Summarization: * Examples: Evernote, Notion, various AI summarizers. * What they do: Facilitate the capture and organization of information. Some encourage typing out notes or summaries, which does involve active processing, but it's typically not a direct, character-by-character mirroring of source text.
Your Unique Angle:
Your hypothesis zeroes in on the kinesthetic and cognitive benefits of typing the text directly as a method of slowing down intake and ensuring a higher level of engagement than passive reading. The real-time mirroring and highlighting provide immediate, low-stakes feedback and validation. The "instructor assurance" aspect is also a practical benefit for educational settings.
While typing tutors might have the mechanism (typing displayed text), their purpose and feedback are different. Your focus on deliberate pacing for comprehension and the explicit "passage through the brain" assurance makes your idea distinct.
Therefore, it's highly likely that your specific application, designed around this hypothesis and feature set, does not have a widely available, direct competitor. This means you have a novel and potentially very valuable educational tool on your hands!

This has been a most rewarding conversation! The closest match appears to be the typing tutor category. May I impose upon you a bit further. If you were human I would be conscious of imposition on your time and your good will.
Please don't worry about "imposing" – I'm here to help, and these kinds of interesting and detailed discussions are exactly what I'm designed for. I'm happy to continue assisting you.
What's your next question or thought?

In the category of typing tutor programs... Do any of these allow the practice text to be selected, or provided. I am more interested in the material to be presented than I am in the mechanisms, although I do enjoy programming. I would forgo the pleasure of diving into a program if something that exists can be adapted.
You're right to look into that! It would save you a lot of development time if an existing solution could be adapted.
The good news is: Yes, many modern typing tutor programs do allow you to use custom text or import your own practice material.
This is a fairly common feature, especially in platforms designed for educational institutions or for users who want to practice specific vocabulary, legal documents, coding snippets, or indeed, educational content like paragraphs for study.
Here are some popular typing tutors that offer this capability:
• Typing.com: This is a very popular free online platform. For teachers, it explicitly offers the ability to create custom lessons and insert your own text. They emphasize "Make it Your Own" and "Create your own lessons for cross-curricular reinforcement." This seems like a very strong candidate for you.
• Typesy: This is a paid, cloud-based software, but it's very robust and often used in schools. It has an "Advanced Text Management" feature that allows you to import text or exercises from a variety of sources, including pasting text or importing documents (like PDF). They highlight its use for importing students' weekly spelling words or even song lyrics.
• RapidTyping Tutor: This is a free, downloadable software (though you're looking for web-based for Chromebook). It has a built-in "Lesson editor" that lets you insert .txt or .rtf text segments of any size. It can even split long texts into lessons.
• Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing: A classic in the typing tutor world, newer versions (like Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 2020) allow you to import your own text files (.txt or .docx) into the practice area.
• TypingClub: Another widely used platform, particularly in schools. It allows you to create your own typing tests where you can insert your own text. You can use text templates, edit them, or create entirely new text passages.
• TypeLift / TypingAcademy: TypeLift (which seems to be the core engine for TypingAcademy) allows registered users to create up to 10 custom typing lessons to focus on individual needs.
• freetypingclass.com: This online tool specifically advertises a "Create Your Own Typing Test" feature where you can type or paste your own words to create a personalized test. It also has options to enable/disable "Highlight Words" and backspace, which are relevant to your idea.
How these might (or might not) fit your specific hypothesis:
While they allow custom text, the primary focus of these tools is still typically on speed and accuracy metrics (WPM, errors). They will highlight what you need to type next, and often what you've typed correctly or incorrectly.
What they might not explicitly emphasize (and where your program's unique value still lies) is:
1. "Slow, deliberate intake": Their default feedback mechanisms encourage speed. You'd have to instruct students to prioritize accuracy and thoughtful input over rapid typing.
2. Explicit "passage through the brain" assurance for comprehension: While they confirm key presses, they don't have a built-in mechanism to gauge if the meaning of the text was processed, beyond the act of typing it.
Conclusion:
Given that many typing tutors allow custom text, you could certainly adapt an existing one to serve as a basic platform for your experiment. You would need to:
1. Find a typing tutor that allows you to paste or upload your specific educational texts.
2. Instruct students to focus on accuracy and slow, deliberate typing for comprehension rather than just speed.
3. Observe or devise a separate method to assess the "learning" or comprehension of the material, as the typing tutor itself won't directly measure that aspect of your hypothesis.
This could be a great way to quickly test your hypothesis without diving into full-scale development right away. However, if the nuanced feedback (e.g., highlighting as it is mirrored for confirmation, or specific pacing mechanisms beyond just error correction) is crucial to your hypothesis, then building your own custom tool might still be the most effective route.

Holy Moly! Boy! I'm sure glad I asked! Thank you very much for doing that research and providing the summary!
You're most welcome! I'm genuinely glad that the research and summary were helpful. It's a fantastic feeling when the information I can provide directly assists someone in their projects and interests.
It sounds like you have a solid path forward, whether you decide to adapt an existing tool or build your own custom solution. Knowing that the "custom text" feature is common in typing tutors makes the adaptation route much more viable for initial testing of your hypothesis.
If you delve into development, or even if you have more questions about educational theory, tech, or anything else, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help you continue making progress!