3 ms·

The first paragraph sounds like you are describing using Firefox sync or chrome with a Google login.

forgot-my-pw 7y ago
It is, but more. When it's tied into the OS, wiping data is much easier. Resetting / removing your profile just takes seconds. It's a great OS too to give your parents who only need it for web browsing. Less maintenance and tech support.
jethro_tell 7y ago
Not really, because you can factory reset, cross a border and log back in in 10 minutes and everything is up to speedish. It's not your threat model but it's someone's threat model and a chromebook does that better than anyone else, and your mom can do it.
- laurentoget 7y ago
  I wish there was a way to do this without being locked in with Google as the backend.
  - markstos 7y ago
    Chromebooks are locked to using Google for authentication, but you don't have to use most Google services once logge din. Now you can even use an alternate Android or Linux browser instead of Chrome.
    - jethro_tell 7y ago
      you can even set the machine up to use guest then just use the web services you want (or even your own) and each session is ephemeral if that's what you want.
- redwards510 7y ago
  Does that really appease border guards? If you present a blank laptop they would probably get very suspicious, since you are obviously trying to hide something. They would probably make you log in and sync before they let you enter the country. The whole point is to search your online life, if you don't let them do that, you don't get in.
  - jethro_tell 7y ago
    You can sign is as guest, you can use a Chromebook without signing in at all. You can have a second account that is empty that you log into and isn't connected to anything. My mom can still do both of those.
  - komali2 7y ago
    > Does that really appease border guards? Doesn't matter, you've protected your clients, that's what matters. The worst case scenario is they seize it and prevent entry, which can happen with a blank or non-blank machine. Better it happens with a blank one. > They would probably make you log in and sync before they let you enter the country. This would be where you just don't enter the country. In the other scenario, you don't get in and they get to keep the machine anyway.
    - solarkraft 7y ago
      That assumes the laws regarding this are humane and border guards follow them, which are both untrue of lots of countries, including the USA.
      - jethro_tell 7y ago
        you don't have to sync to your main account? You guys are way over thinking this.

It is, but more. When it's tied into the OS, wiping data is much easier. Resetting / removing your profile just takes seconds. It's a great OS too to give your parents who only need it for web browsing. Less maintenance and tech support.

jethro_tell 7y ago

Not really, because you can factory reset, cross a border and log back in in 10 minutes and everything is up to speedish. It's not your threat model but it's someone's threat model and a chromebook does that better than anyone else, and your mom can do it.

laurentoget 7y ago
I wish there was a way to do this without being locked in with Google as the backend.
- markstos 7y ago
  Chromebooks are locked to using Google for authentication, but you don't have to use most Google services once logge din. Now you can even use an alternate Android or Linux browser instead of Chrome.
  - jethro_tell 7y ago
    you can even set the machine up to use guest then just use the web services you want (or even your own) and each session is ephemeral if that's what you want.
redwards510 7y ago
Does that really appease border guards? If you present a blank laptop they would probably get very suspicious, since you are obviously trying to hide something. They would probably make you log in and sync before they let you enter the country. The whole point is to search your online life, if you don't let them do that, you don't get in.
- jethro_tell 7y ago
  You can sign is as guest, you can use a Chromebook without signing in at all. You can have a second account that is empty that you log into and isn't connected to anything. My mom can still do both of those.
- komali2 7y ago
  > Does that really appease border guards? Doesn't matter, you've protected your clients, that's what matters. The worst case scenario is they seize it and prevent entry, which can happen with a blank or non-blank machine. Better it happens with a blank one. > They would probably make you log in and sync before they let you enter the country. This would be where you just don't enter the country. In the other scenario, you don't get in and they get to keep the machine anyway.
  - solarkraft 7y ago
    That assumes the laws regarding this are humane and border guards follow them, which are both untrue of lots of countries, including the USA.
    - jethro_tell 7y ago
      you don't have to sync to your main account? You guys are way over thinking this.