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The first rule of choosing a desktop Linux distribution: User, know thyself

Let’s say you do pretty much everything you want on the Web. You write with Google Docs, you use Mint for your personal finances, and Gmail for your e-mail. If that’s you, then what you want to use is Google’s Chrome OS.

Although almost none of its users can tell it, Chrome OS, the operating system behind the popular Chromebook, is based on Gentoo Linux. But then again, that’s the point of Chrome OS. It’s the operating system that’s meant to be invisible.

While you can pry open a Linux shell interface on Chrome OS if you really want to, you’ll never need to get to it. Chrome OS uses Google’s Chrome Web browser for its interface. And everyone knows how to use a Web browser. Right? Of course, right!

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