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Cake day: July 15th, 2023

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  • Sorry for the late response. I mentioned Freedesktop in the context of the Linux desktop. Freedesktop is responsible for the desktop ecosystem typically associated with Linux, and it’s what application developers refer to when discussing Linux compatibility. Steam for ChromeOS is not referred as Steam for Linux for a reason, it’s an entirely different application. Of course, there are exceptions, such as NixOS and Alpine for example, but both of them still aim to be part of the “Linux desktop” ecosystem, whereas ChromeOS does not, and yes, it’s “Linux” under the GUI stack, but referring to ChromeOS as a Linux desktop would only confuse those less familiar with the topic or worse, mislead them.


  • Generally, Linux as a term refers to the Freedesktop standards, Linux kernel, and GNU userland. ChromeOS fulfills the latter two, but it lacks the Freedesktop standards, which are an essential part of the Linux platform. Therefore, it is logical to distinguish ChromeOS from standard Linux distributions since it diverges significantly from them. This differentiation has nothing to do with the Terminal, as it isn’t necessary to use it at all on most distributions. Elementary OS and Endless OS adhere to the Freedesktop standards, they are parts of the same platform as other Linux distributions.












  • Then I don’t understand why you mentioned that a reusable launch vehicle was inconceivable before. Anyway. This whole story isn’t as one-sided as you described it. Even though the program was cost-effective, it was eventually discontinued due to budget constraints and an accident. At that time, understandably, ISS was the priority, since unlike SpaceX, space agencies are not transportation companies. This is why the growing market demand for low-Earth orbit transportation in the 2000s was beneficial, and NASA got involved in the Falcon 9 project early on in the 2000s, providing engineers and funding for development. It was/is mutually beneficial, since the costs were lower for both NASA and SpaceX. Therefore, NASA didn’t fail to develop its own reusable launch vehicle, but joined a similar project shortly after the end of the DC-X(A). The vertical takeoff and landing concept isn’t as groundbreaking after the aforementioned proof of concept as some people make it out to be. Apart from a few years after DC-X, the concept went through a steady development to practical use.

    Edit: typo