A while back I did a video on the Acer Aspire One – Windows XP version. I kept getting emails asking me ” can a Netbook be used as a primary workstation. So I created this video to help answer that question.
As more businesses, schools, non profits, and families watch there budgets they have to look at the current computers they have or forced to consider lower cost solutions like next to nothing or free solutions. A free Linux based OS called “Ubuntu” is now considered with universities and users. A free big name alternative OpenOffice.org is gaining momentum. The free download version of Ubuntu is pretty much turn key OS. It includes pretty much all the apps you need and believe it or not its all free! Ubuntu is probably one of the most user friendly formats of the Linux family. I do agree with Chis Pirillo “I think Ubuntu is here to stay!”
Ubuntu site: http://www.ubuntu.com
I just received my copy of iLife09 yesterday. Like a little kid I ripped the Fedex box open, then the plastic off the iLife09 box. Install time took about 30 minutes then play time.
Improvements and added features:
iPhoto 09: Face recognition was easy to set up and worked very well. I did not have a chance to play GPS location feature. You can publish picture directly to facebook and flickr.
iMovie 09: More precision control, video stabilization, more transitions, themes, more text options, more editing features, create animated maps, backdrops and lot more I cant say enough. Much improvements!
GarageBand 09: Piano and Guitar interactive lessons (forget about hiring a teacher for lessons)
iWeb 09: Adding live content using widgets. You can record or take picture with the iSight and place directly on the iWeb. Much more enjoyable experience.
This upgrade is worth it in my opinion. I found it was easier to create various types of media than the iLife08. Dont get me wrong iLife 08 was great but the improvements on iLife09 has made it more enjoyable.
This year at CES we are hearing a lot on new cell phones coming this year. LG is coming out with the LG Watch Phone that from what I have seen will be available this year. It will be like the Modern Dick Tracy watch. Bright screen and about almost the same size as a scuba watch. It will offer a built in digital camera but it has not determined the mega pixel of the camera, the battery life would be the downside right now because currently it has 3 hours life (not good). At this time no info on which wireless service will carry this Watch Phone.
Being computer guy at work I always get asked “where can I get a free software for my computer that is safe?” So I decided to make a quick video of some applications I have tested and used. So whats your favorite free useful software?
The new wave Netbooks some people say they are overhyped and there to small. I say it depends on the person. For most users that carry a laptop or notebook they just need the basics an office suite and the most important browse the internet. The first preference for an average user (not a power user) is usually a notebook because of the size and easier to carry versus the bigger laptop. The problem, the notebooks are lot more expensive so we settle for a lower cost and heavier laptop .
The first set of netbooks was linux based to save money and not needing that much hardware perfomance just powerful enough to browse the web and with OpenOffice as your office suite. With only 4 to 8gb of space to work with and average user not really know on how to save in word format in open office it lacked. Netbooks such as Asus EeePC and Acer Aspire One stepped it up offering a Windows Home XP version that could run office. More Ram and Hard drive space sort of creating a hybrid Netbook /Notebook. So far I have been impressed with the Acer Aspire One. I had to adjust using the keyboard and trackpad. Netbooks lack on optical drive and duo processor, but it does run surprising fast. This is designed not to be primary computer, but tool that would allow you to do your work on the road and play. Its actually built very well. But I will not enjoy upgrading the ram with the acer aspire one since it has to be taken apart to get to the ram slot. Enjoy the video.
I decided to get back into technology with my shows. This show was based on article I read on Yahoo named The Most Overhyped Gadgets by Nick Mokey from Digital Trends. Its amazing how much hype they put on products before they come out and be disappointed once they come out.