RGDave
Money List Winner
This might sound a little technical, but I wanted to share the news that I'm running a netbook on unbuntu.
HID bought me a netbook 2 xmas' ago. The idea was to have a small laptop-type gadget to use around the house and take with me on trips jumping onto free wi-fi. Trouble is, the darn thing never really worked, the wi-fi hardly ever connected - it was better on public access (like starbucks for example) but seemingly doomed at people's houses even with the SSIDs and passcodes.
Anyway, I downloaded ubuntu (netbook remix O/S) and ran it on a trial from a usb flash stick, thanks to the ubuntu site and another link to a site that allows you to make a bootable usb drive. I trialled if for a day and then installed it ALONGSIDE the existing Linux installation.
To cut a long story short, my netgeat usb wi-fi (that I use in the loft on my studio PC) worked plug n play and then (surprise, surprise) the inbuilt wi-fi adapter (atheros) jumped into life as well. So the netbook works (finally!) and all the hardware on the machine is running fine - all without the need for downloading drivers! Amazing.
I downloaded flash from the ubuntu software centre (installs apps for you without needing to be a linux expert) and have watched the iplayer too!
So, if any of you have badly behaving netbooks or laptops running windows, maybe give it a try. I was worried that if I clicked "install" then I'd lose the original O/S but it's not a problem...if you don't click the wrong thing.
I'm happy.
HID bought me a netbook 2 xmas' ago. The idea was to have a small laptop-type gadget to use around the house and take with me on trips jumping onto free wi-fi. Trouble is, the darn thing never really worked, the wi-fi hardly ever connected - it was better on public access (like starbucks for example) but seemingly doomed at people's houses even with the SSIDs and passcodes.
Anyway, I downloaded ubuntu (netbook remix O/S) and ran it on a trial from a usb flash stick, thanks to the ubuntu site and another link to a site that allows you to make a bootable usb drive. I trialled if for a day and then installed it ALONGSIDE the existing Linux installation.
To cut a long story short, my netgeat usb wi-fi (that I use in the loft on my studio PC) worked plug n play and then (surprise, surprise) the inbuilt wi-fi adapter (atheros) jumped into life as well. So the netbook works (finally!) and all the hardware on the machine is running fine - all without the need for downloading drivers! Amazing.
I downloaded flash from the ubuntu software centre (installs apps for you without needing to be a linux expert) and have watched the iplayer too!
So, if any of you have badly behaving netbooks or laptops running windows, maybe give it a try. I was worried that if I clicked "install" then I'd lose the original O/S but it's not a problem...if you don't click the wrong thing.
I'm happy.
