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From: J G Miller on 10 May 2010 18:49
On Mon, 10 May 2010 14:46:54 -0700, JD wrote:

> Probably true, but what about the learning curve?

Well nowadays, GNU/Linux systems can effectively be used at two levels.

1) The desktop point and click.

2) Working on and exploiting the system underneath.

If you are just being a "user" using things like a browser,
e-mail, writing documents, then the (1) scenario above is
pretty much the same style of operation as MS Windoze, just
learning where the items you want are on the menu.

> I might consider installing a Windows
> OS first and a Linux on a different partition until I get it (the Linux
> ) running smoothly. I'll chew on that one for a bit.

Yes by all means create a dual boot system, then if you need to use
some Windoze specific software (eg games) you can be certain you
will be able to run it natively, but for the serious stuff and
any network activity (browsing, e-mail etc) just use Linux because
it is so much safer and in the end, easier and more versatile.

So do your Windoze install on a limited portion of the disk,
then go to your local bookstore and pick up a Linux magazine
with a live DVD and try it out, and if you like it, install
it on the rest of the disk.


From: JD on 11 May 2010 14:34
J G Miller wrote:
> On Mon, 10 May 2010 14:46:54 -0700, JD wrote:
>
>> Probably true, but what about the learning curve?
>
> Well nowadays, GNU/Linux systems can effectively be used at two levels.
>
> 1) The desktop point and click.
>
> 2) Working on and exploiting the system underneath.
>
> If you are just being a "user" using things like a browser,
> e-mail, writing documents, then the (1) scenario above is
> pretty much the same style of operation as MS Windoze, just
> learning where the items you want are on the menu.
>
>> I might consider installing a Windows
>> OS first and a Linux on a different partition until I get it (the Linux
>> ) running smoothly. I'll chew on that one for a bit.
>
> Yes by all means create a dual boot system, then if you need to use
> some Windoze specific software (eg games) you can be certain you
> will be able to run it natively, but for the serious stuff and
> any network activity (browsing, e-mail etc) just use Linux because
> it is so much safer and in the end, easier and more versatile.
>
> So do your Windoze install on a limited portion of the disk,
> then go to your local bookstore and pick up a Linux magazine
> with a live DVD and try it out, and if you like it, install
> it on the rest of the disk.
>
>
Thank you JGM - good advice!

I had an interesting experience about 18 months
ago when I
started up my Windows program and found that the
hard drives
were missing.
By sheer accident I had on my desk a Mepis Linux
that I had received
a few weeks earlier. I popped it in the CDR and
restarted my box.
To my astonishment Linux started up and loaded.
This was my first ever
experience of a Linux. I played around with it for
about an hour and I
actually succeeded in going online and browsed
away for an hour or so.
Then I opened up my computer, re-set the
appropriate connections, and
after a restart it ran ok. I still have that
Linux CD but I'll now need an
upgrade for the Netbook.
From: Tim Mastrogiacomo on 14 May 2010 18:47
On May 8, 11:13 pm, JD <J...(a)NoDen.con> wrote:
> Hi Experts  :-)
>
> I am thinking of buying a Netbook, as a substitute
> for Internet Radio, and for taking with me while
> traveling. Costco recently had a Samsung N150 that
> was priced at $280 and they sold out quickly. This
> (2010) June issue of Consumer Reports rated about
> 28 models and the Samsung came first. The price
> they quoted was $350.
>
> If anyone has had experience of this Netbook I
> would appreciate some comments.
> In particular, how "gutted" is version the Windows 7?
>
> This is the manufacturer's URL:
>
> http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-computing/netbooks/N...
>
> TIA
>
> The following is a list of the "specs."

If you're not looking to buy something immediately, you might want to
keep an eye on netbooks coming out with the new Google OS. I just read
that Acer announced one today:
http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Acer-Will-Show-Chrome-OS-Netbook/story.xhtml?story_id=0320011M35Y8&full_skip=1


Tim Mastrogiacomo
From: JD on 15 May 2010 11:16
Tim Mastrogiacomo wrote:
> On May 8, 11:13 pm, JD <J...(a)NoDen.con> wrote:
>> Hi Experts :-)
>>
>> I am thinking of buying a Netbook, as a substitute
>> for Internet Radio, and for taking with me while
>> traveling. Costco recently had a Samsung N150 that
>> was priced at $280 and they sold out quickly. This
>> (2010) June issue of Consumer Reports rated about
>> 28 models and the Samsung came first. The price
>> they quoted was $350.
>>
>> If anyone has had experience of this Netbook I
>> would appreciate some comments.
>> In particular, how "gutted" is version the Windows 7?
>>
>> This is the manufacturer's URL:
>>
>> http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-computing/netbooks/N...
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> The following is a list of the "specs."
>
> If you're not looking to buy something immediately, you might want to
> keep an eye on netbooks coming out with the new Google OS. I just read
> that Acer announced one today:
> http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Acer-Will-Show-Chrome-OS-Netbook/story.xhtml?story_id=0320011M35Y8&full_skip=1
>
>
> Tim Mastrogiacomo


Thanks Tim.

That is an interesting alternative but the date
when they are selling could be way off.
From: Gorby on 16 May 2010 05:00
On 9/05/2010 1:43 PM, JD wrote:
> Hi Experts :-)
>
> I am thinking of buying a Netbook, as a substitute for Internet Radio,
> and for taking with me while traveling. Costco recently had a Samsung
> N150 that was priced at $280 and they sold out quickly. This (2010) June
> issue of Consumer Reports rated about 28 models and the Samsung came
> first. The price they quoted was $350.
>
> If anyone has had experience of this Netbook I would appreciate some
> comments.
> In particular, how "gutted" is version the Windows 7?
>
> This is the manufacturer's URL:
>
> http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-computing/netbooks/NP-N150-JA01US/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=spec
>
>
> TIA
>
>
> The following is a list of the "specs."
>
> Operating System Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Starter
> Processor Processor Intel® ATOM™ Processor N450 (1.66 GHz, 667 MHz, 512 KB)
> Memory System Memory 1 GB (DDR2 / 1 GB x 1)
> Display LCD 10.1" WSVGA (1,024 x 600), Non-Gloss, LED Back Light
> Graphic Graphic Processor Intel GMA3150 (Int. Graphic)
> Multimedia Sound HD (High Definition) Audio
> Sound Effect SRS 3D Sound Effect
> Multimedia Player No
> Speaker 3 W Stereo Speaker (1.5 W x 2)
> Integrated Camera Web Camera
> Storage HDD 160 GB (5,400 rpm S-ATA)
> ODD No
> Communication Wired Ethernet LAN 10 / 100 LAN
> Wireless LAN 802.11 bg / n
> Bluetooth No
> I/O Port VGA Yes
> HDMI No
> Headphone-out Headphone-out
> Mic-in Yes
> Internal Mic Yes
> PC CardBus Slot No
> USB (Chargable USB included)
> 3 x USB 2.0
> Multi Card Slot 3-in-1 (SD, SDHC, MMC)
> Dock Port No
> RJ11 (Modem) No
> RJ45 (LAN) Yes
> DC-In (Power Port) Yes
> Input Keyboard Type 83 Key
> Touch Pad, Touch Screen Touch Pad (Scroll Scope, Flat Type)
> Power AC Adapter 40 Watt
> Standard Battery 6 Cell
> Dimensions Dimension (W x D x H inches) 10.4" x 7.4" x 0.97" ~ 1.37"
> Weight (lb) 2.73 lbs
Comments regarding Windows or Linux on Netbooks.

As people won't really want to play the high powered 3d games on a
netbook, the need for Windows OS becomes very small.

I purchased an EeePC Netbook with WinXP, last year before going on an
overseas vacation. I found I had a learning curve as the small screen
meant I had to be careful opening windows. Managing the space.

So I thought "I'm really noticing the difference in using this PC! Let's
try Linux!"

First, let's just be sure what we are going to do on this thing:
1)Web Browsing - and this includes Gmail.
2)Storing digital photos.
3)Skype.
4) Accessing my email.
5) being able to open attachments in email.
6) a bit of word processing.

Linux (Ububtu - I'm a bit new so don't know many distros- I've since
heard there are better distros for Netbooks) turned out to be fine. It
did not hog as much screen real estate as windows.

I used Open Office for Word Processing, Firefox for browsing and
Thunderbird for email, and Skype.

It all worked! It was quick. It was easy. I didn't use any command-line.
I simply used the Netbook on my vacation.

I don't use it at home as I have my Workstation (Windows 7, Office 2007,
etc).

I would have to say I found the Netbook better with Linux than WinXP.
Windows 7 is better than XP (in my opinion), but the small amount of
screen space really matters on Netbooks. I think Linux gave me more
space to play with.


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