For years, Google used an in-house Linux distribution called Goobuntu (based on Ubuntu LTS releases), as its development platform. No more.
After more than five years with Ubuntu, Google is replacing Goobuntu with gLinux, a Linux distribution based on Debian Testing.
[...] As MuyLinux reports, gLinux is being built from the source code of the packages and Google introduces its own changes to it. The changes will also be contributed to the upstream.
[...] How does Google plan to move to Debian Testing? The current Debian Testing release is upcoming Debian 10 Buster. Google has developed an internal tool to migrate the existing systems from Ubuntu 14.04 LTS to Debian 10 Buster. Project leader Margarita claimed in the Debconf talk that tool was tested to be working fine.
Google also plans to send the changes to Debian Upstream and hence contributing to its development.
[...] Back in 2012, Canonical had clarified that Google is not their largest business desktop customer. However, it is safe to say that Google was a big customer for them. As Google prepares to switch to Debian, this will surely result in revenue loss for Canonical.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday January 23 2018, @10:53PM
True. But there are lots of places to hide backdoors into large numbers of Linux systems.
And the whole "trusting trust" type of compromise / paranoia.
Compromise is possible in the boot loader.
And in the firmware. (And ability to lock you out of even booting!)
And thanks to Intel Management Engine, in the microprocessor itself. Compromise baked right into the hardware!
And Spectre and Meltdown.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.