Linux on ARM—what software?

[Lugh]

I'm checking out the $99 Pinebook notebook, which looks interesting for the price and has a nice physical profile. Planned usage would be similar to a tablet—ebook reading, email, watch video etc—but with the option to be productive also.

It runs on an ARM processor and comes with Ubuntu OS. I checked Ubuntu and Snapcraft sites and searched some, but haven't found a software list of what apps will run on the ARM—I did see a statement that some Linux software will run, others won't.

Can someone please point me in the right direction?

[BATcher]

Yes, one right direction is to Google for something like linux arm software!

The results are full of fascinating facts...

(I presume you've already done this?!)

[Lugh]

Google … full of fascinating facts … I presume you've already done this

Yep, and if you replace 'fascinating' with 'confusing', that's why I'm here

I thought there might be a few sites hidden away, eg doing like what Gizmo does for Windows. My Linux experience is all server-side, and my ARM experience is zero, so I don't even know the 'everyone knows' stuff for the consumer side. Basic Qs:

Will all software listed for one Linux distro work on all other distros?

Is it the same for ARM? Ie if an ARM app runs on eg Fedora, it also will [not] run on Ubuntu.

What is the average lifespan for a Linux distro?

Confusion

Reading bits like the following make me nervous, as I have no interest in going down multiple rabbit holes:

Arm.com—"reduce fragmentation and redundant effort, and provide common software foundations optimized for Arm IP and platforms"

Linux.com—"it is more than an Ubuntu respin or GNOME fork -- a lot of custom development goes into Elementary OS, including apps"

Linux.com—"it hasn't had an update since 2014, so I'm replacing it"

[wavy]

Lugh
Have you tried the pine forum?
https://forum.pine64.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=21

FWIW IMHO This looks like it is for developers and certainly not Linux newbies.

[Lugh]

Have you tried the pine forum?
…
This looks like it is for developers and certainly not Linux newbies.

Thanks David. I'd had a look there and arrived at the same conclusion you did

[wavy]

Well keep us posted.
Getting closer to Linux myself...
If only people could learn how to pronounce it

[scaisson]

According to Linux himself, his preferred "Linux" pronunciation is
"linn nix" ("linn nicks"), not lin neyes, lin nucx, nor lie nucx.
There is even a Youtube of Linux himself on this.
Ever a gentlemen, he's OK on other 'proper' pronunciations.

[RockE]

The man's name is actually Linus Torvalds.

[wavy]

Right NOT Lie Nux as some Linux geeks I know have.

[mrjimphelps]

Here is the site where you can download operating systems for the Raspberry Pi:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/

Two of these OSs look interesting: "Snappy Ubuntu Core" and "Ubuntu Mate". My guess is that if you follow up on Snappy Ubuntu Core and Ubuntu Mate, you will likely find some apps that will be useful for you.

Also, I would dig around on the Raspberry PI site to see what apps are there.

[wavy]

Thats a good idea Jim. and the laptop is likely specced higher than even the most recent pi.