Brand New Computer for $199

Submitted by Rick on October 31, 2007 - 4:12pm.

Riding Shotgun with Rick

I am getting really excited!!

Ubuntu Linux, Splashtop motherboards, fast Internet connections, and Web 2.0 are all starting to bring us to the next generation of Microsoft-free, cheap computing. At least 80% of the computer users I help in their homes or offices do not really need or utilize the power of a full blown Windows (or Mac) computer. You've heard this soap box from me before; computer users who only use word processors, basic games, light digital photography, email and Internet can get by without any problems with a much more basic computer.

Today, I read an article about WalMart's foray into selling a basic Linux computer...for $199! The only thing it doesn't include is a monitor, but that can be found for around $100 right next to the computers. I don't want to insinuate that Linux is an inferior operating system to Microsoft Windows. It has all the potential of Windows, just in a different package and simpler to use...especially for beginners. WalMart joins Dell who started selling Ubuntu machines in May of this year.

Also, today, Adam found and sent me this article about a $299 laptop recently announced that starts in 5-10 seconds. Based on the company selling it and the description, I'm assuming it is a Splashtop machine or derivative.

All extremely interesting and ground breaking news in the computer industry.

Dial-up, OpenOffice migration, and Linux explaination

Submitted by Smart Computer User on December 2, 2007 - 12:00am.

on the dial-up note... generally all external modems will work fine. As for internal.. generally not, however there are some exceptions, and I've had success with an old S3 brand pci modem with Ubuntu.

If your thinking about switching from MSWord, have no fears. OpenOffice supports all MSWord extensions. Like *.doc files work fine, and whatever new format that MSWord 2003 or whatever has. If it doesent, rest assured it will be soon.

http://www.linuxlinks.com/local/WhatisLinux.shtml is a pretty brief explanation. It's OK I guess. But, I feel the following link sums it up pretty well. (at least for Ubuntu) Then again, maybe that's too short too. If you need a better explanation just contact the CoLoCo Ubuntu team below.

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu

...and remember if anyone here needs any help switching to OpenOffice or Ubuntu, don't hesitate to ask the Colorado Ubuntu Linux Team.

http://coloco.ubuntu-rocks.org/

OpenOffice

Submitted by Rick on November 4, 2007 - 10:57am.

There is not a word processor on any platform (Mac, Linux, etc) that won't be able to read your Word documents. So, no worries...if you are ready to leave the Windows world, your Word documents can go happily with you.

diallup

Submitted by Smart Computer User on November 1, 2007 - 7:23pm.

will it work on diallup most linux i tried did not work on diallup . ps vista sucks

Dial-up is dead

Submitted by Rick on November 1, 2007 - 8:10pm.

Unless you absolutely cannot get any form of broadband where you live, and don't want to or can't pay for satellite if you live in the toolies, NO ONE SHOULD BE USING DIAL-UP ANYMORE. The Internet and email have evolved too far for dial-up. I'm not sure about dial-up and Linux, but generally the answer is no...broadband is here, broadband is growing, and dial-up is not Internet compatible any longer.

$200 computer

Submitted by Smart Computer User on November 1, 2007 - 7:18pm.

now you tell us I just got a new rebuilt computer and got vistaed

Linux?

Submitted by Smart Computer User on November 1, 2007 - 11:18am.

I've been hearing this term for a good # of years now. I keep asking, "Self, what the heck is linux?"

So does this 'splain it best?

http://www.linuxlinks.com/local/WhatisLinux.shtml

Thanx

Linux and software

Submitted by Smart Computer User on November 1, 2007 - 6:13am.

Were I to purchase the Splashtop, would my MSWord (97) software be usable with it?

How about my Garmon GPS, cameras, and other software that I use on my XP computer?

Sue

Yes, and no

Submitted by Rick on November 1, 2007 - 7:32am.

Splashtop computers can come with Windows...the computer and laptop I describe above can be used with your digital camera, but not MS Word (other equally effective alternatives available) and not your GPS.

Again, some computer users, perhaps you, still need and can utilize a windows machine, but a vast majority of computer users do not buy off the shelf software, don't care what word processor they use, etc and Linux and even bare bones laptops like the one I described are extremely good options.

Linux/msword

Submitted by Smart Computer User on November 4, 2007 - 7:36am.

I write for a living and have nearly 20 years worth of files--stories, reviews, etc.--in MSWord. If I change to another word processer, how will I access my old Word files? Sue