netbooked

Finally succumbed and got myself a mobile internet device. Initially, I wanted an iPhone (and somehow, I still do). Considering my requirements and my experience with Iphones, however, I looked for alternatives.

I am not saying the iPhone is a bad thing. Not at all. I just wanted a more powerful solution, that was still portable. And my fingers are just wrong for the iPhone´s screen keyboards, I´m afraid. It would also have been hideously expensive, as I would have had to buy one WITHOUT a data plan. Got two of these things already. Do not really need another, do I?

Now, my favourite solution would have been a Mac OS X netbook. Unfortunately, the smallest Macbook is still 13.3 inches. Are you listening, Steve? AND WHILE YOU`RE AT IT: BRING BACK THE NEWTON. Honestly, a pen driven netbook with OS X the size of my venerable MessagePad 2100 and an up-to-date technolgy platform underneath would be THE SHIT. And I know you guys could do that right sodding now.

So, while I am waiting for those fine folks at Apple to deliver... I needed an alternative:

• portable (netbook size)
• enough processing power and storage to run a decent OS
• keyboard suitable for actual use

I came up with the Samsung NC10, the keyboard and the accumulator capacity calling the shots. One Annoyance (with capital A): it came with Windows. It also does have an 802.11g Wifi, not draft-n. I will live. Did not get the one with an UMTS modem, as I wasn´t convinced it would work with other OSs than Windows.

Windows XP lasted for about five minutes, as I prepared for a hacked Mac OS X install. Seems that this is, at least not yet, a feasible solution, too little of hardware is being supported at present, and I didn´t want to start with massive hardware mods right away (like changing the WiFi i/f).

So, next stop: Linux. Turns out that a regular Ubuntu 09.04 desktop edition will do the trick nicely. I did not even go for the netbook remix. All hardware, power modes etc. supported.

Hooking it up to my UMTS phone and using it as an internet dialup was a matter of minutes. Moved to an USB stick in the meantime... more UMTS features.

I will watch the developments to adopt Mac OS X keenly though.

Another year on the net. Or how I noticed I turned canocical.

I turned 39 on September 18th... so far so good.

This quote of mine got posted on the same day.

Coincidence? I sincerely hope so.

BTW.: this is where the birthday dinner took place. Utterly recommended: Village Gaulois

Whither Google

Internet world benefactor of aspiring dominator?


UserFriendly Strip Comments

Did I say, "everybody blogs"? EVERYBODY DOES!

If you happen to remember history in SEA back to the days of the VietNam war, you might remember King Norodom Sihanouk. Well, His Majesty is now well in his eighties. And the Old Man has a blog. Get out!


Still alive and blogging from Campuchea

Bilinguality and it´s delusions

or

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Actually, my English is said to have a certain slant towards British English, but here´s the result for me:

Your Linguistic Profile:

55% General American English

30% Yankee

10% Dixie

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Well, the algorithm probably does not cater for cross-overs like me... They certainly didn´t ask me for words like "prolly" (cf. above) or "innit".

to blog or not to blog...

is that a question?

Probably not, since everybody seems to be at it like rabbits are after grass and sex.

So what other choice do I have?