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Change in hardware/change in software?
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Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jul 28, 2014 at 03:29 PM
I’m curious about how useful the Chromebook can be when you don’t have an Internet connection. What still works, what doesn’t? I gather from the comments that none of your files are available to work on when offline. Is that a correct inference? Thanks.
Steve Z.
Posted by Dr Andus
Jul 28, 2014 at 03:59 PM
Stephen Zeoli wrote:
I’m curious about how useful the Chromebook can be when you don’t have
>an Internet connection. What still works, what doesn’t? I gather from
>the comments that none of your files are available to work on when
>offline. Is that a correct inference? Thanks.
Not quite. It’s a common assumption and misconception that Chromebooks won’t work without an internet connection. It really depends on the given app and service you want to use.
If it’s an online service, obviously it won’t work, but neither would it work with a Windows laptop without an internet connection… I’m finding that in an urban environment in a developed country it’s almost impossible to be without either a wifi connection or the built-in (free for 2yrs!) 3G mobile data connection (which came with my HP Chromebook 14).
But there are now quite a few Chrome apps that work offline. They normally either allow you to sync when you’re back online or to save on the hard drive (or connected external drive via USB) or both.
Here are all the offline apps currently available:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/collection/offline_enabled
I mainly use text editors for writing (Writebox, Caret) and WorkFlowy for todos and outlining, and those work offline just fine.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jul 28, 2014 at 04:48 PM
Thanks, Doc. I live in a rural area, where wifi accessibility is still hit or miss in a lot of towns, so I am always concerned about being able to save files locally.
Steve Z.
Posted by Dr Andus
Jul 28, 2014 at 05:31 PM
Stephen Zeoli wrote:
Thanks, Doc. I live in a rural area, where wifi accessibility is still
>hit or miss in a lot of towns, so I am always concerned about being able
>to save files locally.
You’re welcome. That’s a valid concern. It really depends on what exactly you’d want to use it for when you’re offline. The main strength of the Chromebook is the ease and speed of web browsing and using web services, and the long battery life (7-10 hrs).
If we’re talking about Google Docs and other files on Google Drive, it is possible to sync Google Drive with a Chromebook and have it as offline access. However, most Chromebooks come with small hard drives, and so there will come a point when not all of the data will fit on the local machine or where syncing may become too slow.
But otherwise offline Chromebooks can function perfectly well as typewriters, notakers, outliners etc. (depending on the offline availability of the given app), saving locally, and syncing later (with your choice of cloud service, normally Google Drive, Dropbox, Box).
Posted by Ken
Jul 28, 2014 at 07:51 PM
Dr Andus wrote:
>Hi Ken,
>
>speaking of getting organised on a Chromebook, I can suggest the
>following:
>
>Services:
>- Google Calendar
>- Google Drive, especially Google Sheets
>
>Apps:
>- WorkFlowy - to dos, outlining
>- Chrome Remote Desktop - to access your PC
>- Writebox - for distraction-free writing
>- Caret - text editor
>- Text - text editor
>
>Extensions:
>- AdBlock
>- Clipboard History
>- Cloudy Calculator
>- Cool Clock
>- Create Link
>- Extensions Update Notifier
>- Notable PDF
>- Send from Gmail
>- Speed Dial 2
>- Tab Activate
>- Split Screen
>- Evernote Web Clipper
>
>Also, the bookmarks bar is useful for quick surfing.
Thank you for the suggestions. I presently ude Google Calendar with Pocket Informant, so it will be my calendar of choice. I have not been much of a user of Google Docs, but that may change a bit because of its offline abilities. I will go through your suggestions as I get more familiar with how I want to set things up.
Thanks again,
—Ken