Re: [tlug] to pad or not to pad, thats the question

[Phillip Tribble <ptribble@example.com>]

On Wed, 2010-05-12 at 15:44 +0300, Pier Fumagalli wrote:
> On Wed, May 12, 2010 at 15:28, eredicatorx@example.com
> <eredicatorx@example.com> wrote:
>                 
>                 I'm actually ditching my NetBook for the iPad. After
>                 one year, all I've done on it was browse the web, read
>                 email and (very rarely) use SSH to connect to my
>                 servers. All can be done on a tablet, and on top of it
>                 I also get a bigger/better screen to browse and read
>                 eBooks (I have a Vaio-P netbook running Linux, fonts
>                 are tiny).
>                 
>         What flavor Linux are you running on the Sony? I was thinking
>         of getting one of those. I like the design and do not mind the
>         small screen. I have good eyes....
> 
> 
> A mix of Ubuntus with some hand glueing. Basically, 9,10 supports the
> Poulsbo (Intel GMA500) abeit horribly through a backport from 9.04. At
> the same time the 3G modem of the Japanese model is only supported
> with 10.04 (which doesn't support the GMA500 above).
> 
> 
> Mix-and-match, and 1 week later I have it more-or-less working, apart
> from power management: it freezes when it tries to sleep.
> 
> 
> As a netbook, on paper, the Vaio-P is fantastic (perfect size, built
> in HSPDA modem and webcam, ...), but running Linux on it is a heck of
> a nightmare. After one year with it, I would *not* recommend it unless
> in the most recent incarnations they at least changed the graphic
> card.
> 
> 
>  
>         My brother is a iAPP developer and sees the ipad as the next
>         logical step. A hard core Unix Engineer that I know with
>         summed up the iPad that he bought for his wife by saying "I
>         found a app that did what I wanted, and bought it in the App
>         Store in a few minutes for a few hundred yen. I can see what
>         the attraction for everyday people would be."
> 
> 
> Honestly, I've spent enough time over the last 12 months on my Vaio-P
> to get it more-or-less working: it's demoralizing. The appeal of a
> machine that "just works" (even if it's not open and what not) when
> I'm travelling is the main driver pushing from Linux/Sony to iPad.
> 
> 
> Linux is great (have been running it on servers for what's close to 15
> years), but honestly, usability wise, it's still a bit too rough and
> unpolished for my everyday use.
> 
> 
>     Pier
> 
Someone at work actually bought the $700-ish iPOD. I thought it was an
awesome device in person. However, you can save hundreds if you get a
netbook; you will have more functionality also. If the ipad was a full
desktop, I would consider it. 

Phil.