i.justrealized

Ubuntu Netbook remix is planned to remove OpenOffice.org and replace it with Google Docs. It’s an odd choice and it probably is some Google influence. Probably Google paid them or something.

According to the latest Ubuntu Netbook Remix Blueprint, the Ubuntu community have decided to drop OpenOffice from the default installation of Ubuntu Netbook Edition for the upcoming Lucid Lynx release, atleast for now. Now documents will be opened by default in Google Docs.

The developers have been removing applications that are irrelevant on a netbook. While document editing is clearly a not irrelevant on a netbook, the developers feel that with netbooks being used mostly for internet related works, Google Docs will suffice. (Source: Digitizor)

Honestly I hardly use OpenOffice in my netbook. The screen estate made it unsuitable for editing. If you still want OpenOffice.org, you can always download manually of course but I suspect most would probably stick with Google Docs.

As you probably have heard, Ubuntu released 9.04 today. What I am really excited about is the new Netbook Remix. I haven’t downloaded it and test it on my Netbook but I’m prepare to do so sometime next week.

I have an Acer Aspire One. Here’s the level of support:

Acer Aspire One

Works well for most things, sound, webcam, ports all reported to work correctly. Minor problems include pulseaudio interfering with sound recording, and media card reader issues unless it is booted with a card in the slot.

Known issues:

335843 – media card reader not hotpluggable on acer aspire one

354620 – Recording from microphone stutters when pulseaudio is running

I hope they fix the wireless indicator. (more…)

Am I the only person using the netbook as if it is a mobile phone? My friend finds it funny that I couldn’t operate my rather user-friendly phone yet bothered to find out what’s going on in my computer operating system. Although the netbook is huge compared to the mobile phone, I found myself using it more and more these days in public transport.

I do my assignments, type blog posts and organize my folders all in the bus. With a computer, it’s so much more to do.

Perhaps it’s time to consider an iPhone or something. My 1.5-year old phone did a silent protest today by being silent the entire day. Perhaps it’s time for shopping soon.

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It was a sudden decision to head to Sim Lim. I made several acquisitions there:

1. Laptop memory, it’s a 677 Mhz DDR2 (1GB) SO-DIMM whatever Kingston RAM.
2. Desktop memory, it’s a 800 Mhz DDR2 (2 GB) Kingston RAM.
3. A SATA to USB convertor.

I opened up my Acer Aspire One bravely voiding the warranties. I own an Acer Aspire One that I gotten upon a SingNet contract renewal. It’s a netbook that came at a time I wanted to get a notebook. I treat it as a sign from the gods that I should delay a notebook purchase (to yet another year). It comes with 1GB memory, of which 512 is soldered onboard. I followed a hardware guide to open the netbook and add in new memory.

For the Acer Aspire One A150, the maximum amount of memory it can go is 1.5 GB. I chose the option to rid the 512 MB RAM and placed in a 1024 MB RAM. I don’t really know what I was doing. I hesitated before I buy but I thought, heck, it’s just 18 bucks and I’m already here so let’s get it and try it out.

Acer Aspire One A150 opened up to add memory 1

Here’s how it look like when it’s all naked. It’s the first time I opened a notebook and I’m extra careful with everything. I didn’t follow the full instructions as it didn’t suit my model but the guide still help a lot.

Acer Aspire One A150 opened up to add memory 2

It become apparent that Acer designed the netbook without upgrading concerns in mind. The DDR2 slot is located all the way inside, you have to unscrew everything, rid the keyboard, the daughter board and sound card to reach the memory slot. I almost given up at the keyboard stage actually (that’s when I realized the guide has 4 more pages).

I fixed in the RAM and put everything back and am glad it is all working fine. But it’s certainly a task not for the fainthearted.

I also fixed in more RAM in my desktop my Windows Vista and Windows 7 are both significantly quicker. Photoshop did launch slightly quicker. I don’t feel an improvement in the start up time though. As for the netbook, I have yet to feel much improvement actually.

I’ve been using Ubuntu more these couple of weeks. The bonus is that it feels a little faster. I also managed to install Ubuntu “The Intrepid Ibex” 8.10 into my netbook. I own an Acer AspireOne with the Intel Atom N270. (Trust me I know little what I am babbling.)

Previously I had Hardy Heron installed and it didn’t work too well. Several hardware fail to work out of the box and I’m not the kinda person good at configuring Linux. But the Intrepid Ibex has been great. Most hardware worked after the install with the exception of the wireless module. The fix is easy though you require an existing LAN point to download the new driver.

I installed all the necessaries like NetBeans and the Dust theme. Also installed Sun’s Java.

(Screenshot of NetBeans IDE 6.5 with Dust theme. Call me blind, but I always work with a font size that huge. I manage to get Consolas into Ubuntu too.)

Sound is working but it’s almost inaudible so I would say that sound isn’t working at all. The earphone socket doesn’t appear to be working too. I couldn’t fix that but I can’t give a damn. I’m just pleased NetBeans is working and I can use the internet.

And yeah, I also experienced a freeze up once but couldn’t reproduce the situation.