[Tuxpaint-users] Tux Paint for Chromebooks / ChromeOS (sorta)

[Bill K. <nb...@so...>]

As you're probably aware, Tux Paint has been available for Android for
a few years now.  It's been available as both a downloadable "APK" package,
and in the F-Droid repository (a so-called "app store alternative") which
contains open source software for Android.

The latest version includes the entire Stamps collection, pre-bundled.

More recently, it's also been made available (free of charge) in the
Google Play Store.  That leads me to the point of this email...

For over a decade now, I've had people (especially parents and teachers)
ask whether Tux Paint is available for Chromebooks (which run ChromeOS).
Unfortunately, it has NOT ever been ported to that platform.
It's certainly possible, we just haven't had anyone with the skill and
experience put the effort into doing so (and maintaining it).

However, in recent years, ChromeOS-based devices (like a random Dell(?)
Chromebook I happen to have here for my son, have been able to install
and run -- with varying degrees of success -- Android-based apps.
(I was able to install it and give it a testdrive last night!)

So, for anyone out here wishing Tux Paint would work on Chromebooks,
you MIGHT be able to get it to work by installing it from the
Google Play Store (free of charge, natrually)!  Here's the direct link:

  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.tuxpaint.android

Your mileage may vary.  One common complaint we've seen by people
who tried it out is that the mouse pointer disappears, which makes
it basically impossible to use with a mouse/trackpad/etc.
(It's fine if you've got a stylus or touch screen.)

However, there is a setting in the mini "Tux Paint Config." that ships
with Android that you can change to make sure the mouse remains visible.
I've posted about that, and a few other Android- and ChromeOS-specific
"gotchyas" over on the "Known Issues" page of the website:

  https://tuxpaint.org/docs/known_issues/

Enjoy, and please let us know if you have any issues.  At the least,
it will help us know what problems to focus on in the future, and/or
be able to tell other users what will or won't work on Chromebooks.

Thanks!

PS - h/t to Pere for maintaining the Android build, and Terrence for
managing the Google Play entry for Tux Paint!

-- 
-bill!
Sent from my computer