Is Cub Linux a Google Product?

No, Cub Linux is in no way affiliated, sponsored or connected to Google. It is an independently produced operating system.

Is Cub Linux a modified version of Chrome OS?

No, Cub Linux does not use any components of Chrome OS or Chromium OS. Instead we use a variety of open source products to create a desktop that is similar in look and feel to Chrome OS. We rely heavily on the open source Chromium web browser in Cub Linux to provide a web browsing experience similar to Chrome OS and like Chrome OS, you can make use of web apps from the Chromium (Chrome) Web Store. Unlike Chrome OS, you can also install ‘conventional’ desktop applications such as office suites, media players and system tools.

Chrome OS is the operating system that comes with Google Chromebook devices. The Chrome, Chrome OS and Chromebook trademarks are owned by Google Inc.

What is Chromium?

Chromium is a web browser. It’s what we use in Cub Linux for all web browsing and for all web-based applications such as Gmail, YouTube, Drive and Google Docs.

It is an open source web browser project, backed by Google. The code from Chromium is used to build Google’s Chrome web browser. It is almost identical to Chrome with a few exceptions: no Google branding, blue icon, no built in proprietary codecs such as Flash or Widevine DRM, no NACL support. Cub Linux ships with the Chromium browser as the default browser and for most browsing purposes is identical to using Chrome. It is compatible with Chrome themes, extensions and apps which can be installed from the Chromium Store (which actually is the Chrome store). Chromium is not to be confused with Chromium OS which is an entire open source operating system built around the Chromium browser.

If you sign in to Google Chrome on one device and Chromium on Cub Linux, then your bookmarks, extensions and apps will be automatically synced between the 2 browsers.

The Chromium trademark is owned by Google Inc.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution created by Canonical Inc. It is an open source, free operating system for desktop, servers, mobile and embedded devices. Ubuntu is a trademark of Canonical.

Is Cub Linux part of Ubuntu or backed by Canonical?

No, neither of the above. Cub Linux does use Ubuntu Linux Desktop as a base though. In fact, 99% of all packages in Cub Linux come directly from Ubuntu Linux and are maintained and distributed from the Ubuntu software repositories. This is possible because of the various open source licenses used by software in the Ubuntu repositories. Ubuntu is one of the most popular and well maintained and current versions of Linux. It has excellent hardware support and has the best Linux support from 3rd party software and hardware manufacturers. It enables Cub Linux to concentrate on the customisation of the desktop to meet the goals of providing a Chrome OS look and feel whilst the system underneath is maintained and kept secure by Ubuntu.

What does Cub Linux stand for/mean?

Cub = Chromium + Ubuntu. This is the core of the Cub Linux operating system. A stable Ubuntu base, using Chromium to provide a web experience similar to Chrome OS/ Chromebooks.

Linux = a free and open source operating system created by Linus Torvalds (who still maintains ownership of the Linux trademark). Typically, Linux is distributed together with the GNU toolkit, (GNU/Linux) as a complete operating system for desktops, laptops, servers, mobile or embedded devices. The underlying Linux source code may be used, modified and distributed – commercially or non-commercially – by anyone under the terms of its respective licenses, such as the GNU General Public License.

So Cub Linux takes the version of Linux distributed by Ubuntu and adds Chromium (and a whole host of other components) to create a free operating system in the style of Chrome OS.

Is Cub Linux free?

Yes, absolutely, Cub Linux is free to download and use and will remain that way forever. It is also free to distribute, re-distribute and adapt under the terms of the GPL.

This means free for home, education and commercial use. If you find Cub Linux useful, you may consider making a small donation.

Can I install Cub Linux on any computer?

Cub Linux is designed for computers running Intel or AMD 32 or 64 bit processors (using the x86 or x86_64 architecture). The computer could be a desktop PC, a laptop or netbook, an Intel powered MacBook or iMac, a Chromebook, some tablet devices, mini-PCs or PC-on-a-stick devices.
It is not currently available for mobile devices based on ARM or similar processors (eg Samsung Exynos).