Netbooks - best programs

[dvsDave]

So, I've had this Acer Aspire One since March. I love it to death, it works great for me. I've come up with some great programs for using it and minimizing RAM usage.

I use:

• Panda Cloud Antivirus because it has the lowest RAM usage (under 50MBs)
• Google Chrome (dev build)
• Dropbox - I use this to sync my CB files between my computers
• Prey - Allows you to attempt to recover your laptop in case of theft
• BatteryBar - Very, Very accurate battery bar that sits on your start bar

[icewolf08]

The irony of the fact that you posted this thread when I was coming here to talk about my netbook.

I picked up an MSI Wind U123 so that I could have a machine that took up less space on the tech table. Less space even than a pad of paper, thus eliminating the need for hard copies of the paperwork at hang and focus as I can have it right on this little guy. So really the best software that I have on this machine is LightWright. With the 9-cell battery this sucker can go for about 7 hours (if not more) so I think that it will make life a lot easier

Of course the thing that I really wanted to geek about was the fact that this little netbook is running Mac OS X. It really is the only way to roll. Everything is fully functional running 10.5.8 Leopard and I am quite impressed. I am happy to help anyone out who wants to make the switch on their own, it is pretty easy, especially if you have some working knowledge of UNIX. So, in addition to LW, OS X is definitely one of the best pieces of software I have on my netbook.

So, to keep life synced up I use MobileMe (from Apple). It allows me to sync between all my devices (MPB, Netbook, iPhone). Along with a 10GB iDisk to have access to critical files wherever I need them it seems to work great!

[dvsDave]

nice! do the custom buttons (and function keys) on the netbook work?

[icewolf08]

Yes, all the custom buttons on the function keys work: screen brightness, volume, wifi & bluetooth power, sleep. All the features of the machine are working except for the webcam. Different version than what is supported currently, but I am sure that someone will find/make a driver for it.

[derekleffew]

Not to be "that guy"... but does Apple approve of installing its software on non-Apple hardware?

[Footer]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Not to be "that guy"... but does Apple approve of installing its software on non-Apple hardware?

Nope, its against the EULA to install OSX on non-apple hardware.

These guys have been building and selling "Hackintosh" computers for awhile. They got sued by apple and lost awhile back.

Psystar's Online Store - Open Computing Solutions featuring Mac OS X Leopard, Windows and Linux

[NickJones]

As far as I understand there was a legal loop hole, as you still buy a copy of Mac OSX, but you use a special piece of hardware to read the legal retail copy of OSX. That said, I simply got a patched CD. The hardest part was getting it off the CD and onto a bootable USB, without a USB CD Drive, and without acess to a "real Mac"
I have a Dell Mini9, with OSX86, and before it was Hackintosh it was Ubuntu, if you want to get a great OS the legal way, I can't stress enough how awesome I think Ubuntu is.
Nick

[Footer]

I am running Unbuntu netbook remix on my eee 900 and it is working great. Its a quick install and nothing to set up after the fact. It came with debian on it from the factory. I think I am going to throw XP on it to get lightright up and running on it.

[soundlight]

I use IrfanView to be able to view almost anything, and also to be able to convert and reformat various things.

My netbook (an Asus EeePC T91) also has an install of MS Office 03 (powerpoint, excel, publisher, and word) on it (I refuse to "upgrade" to the 07 bs...it's a downgrade in my opinion). I use Firefox 3.5 as my primary browser, and I also have VLC Media Player and Quicktime Pro for viewing/editing/converting as well.

Also, FileZilla for ftp management of my website, and Notepad++ for editing code. In other random applications, Stellarium for night sky stuff (astronomy is one of my hobbies), and Yamaha DME Designer, Studio Manager with LS9 and 01V96 editors, DME-N Network Driver, and the USB-MIDI driver for working with Yamaha digital stuff. I need to get Cobranet Discovery and Esnake Manager on it too.

[NickJones]

Originally Posted by Footer

I am running Unbuntu netbook remix on my eee 900 and it is working great. Its a quick install and nothing to set up after the fact. It came with debian on it from the factory. I think I am going to throw XP on it to get lightright up and running on it.

NOOOO!
Install Wine, it allows you to run most Windows applications without the need for Windows,
Nick