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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Real life Linux: The ASUS Eee PC 1000

15 comments

TAGS:costs, desktop linux, Mac OS X, security, Windows
IT TOPICS:Desktop Applications, Hardware, Linux, Macintosh & Apple, Open Source, Operating Systems, Personal Technology, Software, Windows & Microsoft

For years, the mom-in-law had resisted getting a computer of her own. She just doesn't like technology. Everyone knows the old joke about people who are so slow when it comes to using technology that they never managed to set their VCR's clocks. She can't use a DVD player.

Yes, I'm serious. Oh, I know she could do it, but she really doesn't want to in the same way that I really don't want to take class in calligraphy. Anyone who's ever seen the illegible scribble I use in place of handwriting will understand where I'm coming from.

But, despite that, the combination of the allure of solitaire and the Web finally got to her, and she wanted a computer to call her own. So, what do you get someone to whom even turning on a computer is a challenge? You get them a Linux-powered mini-laptop. Specifically, I got her an ASUS Eee PC 1000 running a variant of Xandros Linux. I picked Linux, not just because I like it, but because its combination of ease of use, low-cost, and no maintenance requirements makes it ideal for a new PC user.

Mac OS X probably is the easiest of all operating systems for a new user to pick up. But, Asus' customized Xandros Linux distribution, like Linpus Linux and gOS 3, are giving Macs a run for their money when it comes to ease of use. On the Asus, for example, you're given a choice of: Favorites, Internet, Work, Learn, Play and Settings. It's pretty darn straightforward. Underneath Internet, you'll find Web Mail; Firefox Web Browser; Skype; Internet Radio; Google Maps Video Search; Wikipedia; and Pidgin IM.

Get the idea? This PC is already set up for you. I, of course, had to go in and set up her e-mail, IM, and the like, but most people, even if they've never seen a Linux system in their life, can sit down and start using it.

As for the price, you can buy an ASUS Eee PC 1000 for less than $500. For that cash, you get a solid, hard-working little laptop with a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, a GB RAM, a 40GB SSD (Solid State Drive), and a 6 cell-battery with a mom-in-law tested 4+ hours of battery life. The 10" display with its 1,024x600 resolution is powered by the Intel 915GM graphics chipset and it's very readable. Since my mother-in-law is quickly approaching 80 that was a real concern. She finds it very readable.

To connect with the Internet, the system uses 802,11g Wi-Fi. The EEE PC 1000 doesn't have an optical drive, but it does include three USB 2.0 ports and an SD card slot.

I could, of course, have gotten her a new MacBook, but the bottom-line MacBook is $999. For less than half that price, you can get an Eee 1000 PC for under $500; she has a laptop that does everything she wants and much more besides.

The no-maintenance part was also important. Unlike any Windows machine, which requires monthly -- or even more frequent security updates -- to even pretend to be safe, not to mention added-cost and trouble anti-virus and anti-malware software, Linux has security baked-in.

Linux security isn't perfect by any means. It just doesn't require the constant updating and fiddling that'srequired to keep Windows marginally secure. For a user like my mom-in-law who's no more likely to keep up on security updates than I am to start turning out perfect copperplate script when I put pen to paper, this was an important consideration.

The ASUS Eee PC 1000 isn't a perfect laptop. While we both found the keyboard to be more usable than most mini-laptop keyboards, the touchpad buttons proved difficult to click easily. We added a mouse to her kit and she was fine. Personally, I hate all touchpads and I use either a mouse or a ThinkPad-style Pointing Stick whenever possible. If you like touchpads and you're particular about them, you'll want to try the ASUS touchpad for yourself before buying one.

That aside, this ASUS model is great for a new computer user of any age and for experienced users who need an inexpensive lightweight, laptop for on-the-go computing.

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Still lacks apps for my 83 year old father

Submitted by Theoldman on October 27, 2008 - 4:15 P.M.

I'd like to try something like this but my 83 year old father uses one application still not available on Linux. Quicken. Yes there are Open Source wanna-be's but he uses Quicken and doesn't want to change.

For very simple application suites, this seems to work fine. For any more than the basics you need a more mature eco system supported by Windows or Mac.

I have three in college right now so the free software bit has real draw. Sadly, we are equipping the kids with MS Office as the Open Source stuff just doesn't cut it. It lacks features required for their use.

So long as someone is only replacing a typewriter, this should be an excellent choice. For serious use the ecosystem just isn't there.

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You can use Quicken if you

Submitted by Max Keith Gates on July 9, 2009 - 6:10 A.M.

You can use Quicken if you install Crossover for Linux or Wine. I'd suggest reading more about Wine before you attempt this because it can be tricky, especially for those new to Linux. I might suggest just doing a google search on "Quicken Linux Alternative." That will probably bring up a few linux-based programs very similar to Quicken in functionality.

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If he wants to use Quicken

Submitted by IPityTheFool on December 9, 2008 - 4:56 A.M.

If he wants to use Quicken then install WINE and he can have his Quicken.

Linux with Openoffice/Google Docs is fine/superior than paying your hard earned dollars to use features of MS Office that your kids will NEVER USE. That's right your offspring units managed to talk you into buying stuff they don't need. Like that's never happened before *giggle*

As for this more 'mature eco system' you speak of Mac can't decide on which CPU they want to run on (Motorola, PowerPC and now Intel), hell they even switched kernels a bunch of times depending on what company they aquired the year before and finally settling on a BSD variant.

And Windows well.. THAT didn't get pre-emptive multitasking until 1995. Don't whinge to me about a mature eco system when you're obviously drilling for Microsoft oil.

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apps are there

Submitted by another old man on November 3, 2008 - 1:25 A.M.

About two years ago we converted our entire law office to an all linux environment -- currently Ubuntu 8.04. Open office is hardly a lightweight, or frivolous contender, and we found it outperformed MS office for our needs.

What we have discovered is that the OS is no longer important in business. We no longer use outlook, for example, since our calendars, contact managers and email are all web-based, and with web phones, we no longer bother to synch anything. Moreover, all of our documents (whether ssheets, docs, powerpoints) are easily shared with MS users without difficulty. Even our accounting apps are open source and seamlessly download data from the bank -- as in quicken -- except our open source sollution, which is a full double entry accounting program, is considerably more powerful.

What did surprise me was my twin daughters' college orientation, at which the school (a well known large college) actually recommended linux for students for security reasons, and nevertheless recommended (and uses) open office. Things have come a long way.

The age in which the OS is the dominant feature of computing is rapidly slipping away.

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Wine is your friend

Submitted by Anonymous on October 29, 2008 - 8:20 A.M.

Quicken runs just fine under Wine (a Linux implementation of the Windows API).

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Typical stupid response

Submitted by theoldman59 on November 3, 2008 - 5:09 P.M.

I tried wine under Ubuntu. It sucks. I tried quicken under Wine. It about half works. On the surface it appears to work, but more complex actions don't.

Out of 10 common applications, 1 worked under Wine without hassles. Even the apps listed as fully compatible didn't work right.

Then again, why should I run a Windows application under an emulator for the privelage of running Linux? Sounds like someone trying to complicate my life for no gain.

By the way, have you actually tried quicken under Wine or did you just read the supposed compatibility list? Perhaps you ought to try the product before spouting how wonderful it supposedly is.

Linux / Wine sucks. I tried and it failed.

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Another Typical Response to your *@$%! Response

Submitted by Tuxable on November 24, 2008 - 5:52 P.M.

Before attempting to spout your ill words about another's post when they are attempting to resolve your issues, you might want to consider removing your hard drive and donating it to someone who can actually use it. i.e. smoking monkey, dancing elephant, signing dog... any comical half witted animal will do nicely.

Dual boot /w Ubuntu 8.10 Hardy and Debian 4.0r5 running KDE... and Wine runs progs fine.

// quote // "Then again, why should I run a Windows application under an emulator for the privilege of running Linux?" // quote //

I think the more appropriate questions is... Why should you run Linux just to run your Windows applications? If you want to use windows applications, run windows.

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Acer's Linpus Linux

Submitted by Joshua Tree on October 24, 2008 - 7:37 P.M.

I agree with the article but I have a to mention something about ease of use.
I know you have to make the mac fanbois feel better about themselves or else they get all flustered when people praise Linux (ever notice the venom is much higher from mac fanbois than Windows ones?) but nooooooo way is the OS10 easier than Linpus Lite.

I've seen total newbs and kids just pick up the Acer One with no second thought. The dummified 4 color scheme is easy and intuitive and you dont have to look for anything since its all in front of you in a Fisher Price kind of way.
The mac on the other hand is an acquired taste (I use KDE, Gnome, XCFE, WinXP, Vista and OS10 at work and at home during one day so Im not married to one even though KDE is my favorite for the moment. Yes, I REALLY like KDE4.x !!!) and the Mac has simplified commands for frequently used functions which I think is a good idea but in no way is it easier/or as easy to pick up.
The amount of people I know who hate iTunes with a passion (not to mention that it leaves 3-4 programs running in the background of Win programs which in my book makes it worse that Real Player) or who've asked to borrow our testing Macbook at work and when 'meh' is not scientific but got us to ask if anyone in his right mind would ever admit paying over 3000$ (when you add all the extras on the Macbook that you end up getting like Applecare and so on) for a computer and say that they dont like it but I digress.

I know you want to use the mac interface as some measuring stick but having bought an Acer One, with a Dell Mini coming soon, I have yet to find one (non-techie) person who is stumped by the easy mode of the Acer's Linpus lite distro (is there a Linpus regular version?) and would be willing to bet you a cold one that if you put in ten non-tech inclined people in a room with a Mac and Acer One, the Acer would be easier to pick up. (Again, using a computer power user would be unfair in an ease of use contest. If you can use Photoshop, you are not worried about ease of use.)

You dont have to 'know' with the Acer, you just have to read the four colored boxes that say: Connect, Works, Fun, and Files and the options that come under each. The arrow to the right shows you that there are more options.
That's it. Nothing is really easier than that.

I've installed Linux for my family a lot over the past 18 months because I believed that Linux was finally easy enough to use (installing was never a deal breaker since most of my family and friends who ahve used computers for over a decade still dont know how to install Windows either).
That's about a dozen retired people, a dozen kids and about as many who are between the kids and retired adn usually more proficient.
Whether it is Kubuntu, Mint, PCLinuxOS or Mandriva or the low powered PC ones like Xubuntu, DSL, Puppy, I have yet to find anyone who has had problems learning how to use Linux.

But to be honest my dad was using Windows for 10 years and did fine learning on that too.
All he had to learn was click here for FF dad, here for OO if you want to write a letter, here for your IM and this icon for Skype. All your mp3s will play on Winamp (now Amarok) and your videos will automatically open in VLC.
We did the same thing with my mom last year the first time she used a computer on her KDE based desktop. We didnt ask her to install or compile anything and she did just fine.
Of course now Mom knows how to go to Synaptic to install games. My 7 year old taught her.

Style, elegance is one thing, ease of use is another. You can be FisherPrice like cheesy like the Linpus lite and still be extremely easy.

*yes, I know Asus distro has an easy mode.
**And yes I know, its called OsX and not 10 but its fun to see people get all upset and answer back before even getting to the end.

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