gOS is a Linux distribution that made quite a stir as it powered the $199 Everex GPC. It will also be powering the $399 Cloudbook laptop. I had the chance to chat with a development lead on IRC and like his thoughts and direction.
I decided to download it and take it for a spin on my Asus Eee PC. After all the fiddling I had to do to get it to work, I think it's a keeper.
gOS (Green OS, not Google OS) is currently Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" at its core, so all the known Eee Ubuntu drivers and hacks work. Once online, I preferred the interface and menu management to the Eee's Xandros. Since most of my use of the Eee is in web applications, the fast links to all my favorites (Gmail, Google Docs, Wikipedia, YouTube, Blogger, Facebook, etc.) at the bottom were handy. The array of built-in applications were comparable to Xandros, too.
The developer with whom I spoke said he's working on making installation nicer and polishing the whole user experience. I can't wait to see what happens with this one. Ubuntu is currently the leading desktop Linux distribution but gOS may be what's needed to get more Linux desktops and laptops on retail shelves next to the competitors.
7 comments:
Ben Crowell did a pretty widely-circulated negative review of gOS in its Everex incarnation. It could be that Ben overlooked one or the other detail or that this particular implementation of gOS hasn't been done very carefully.
glad to see someone taking the time to configure gOS to work on the Eee (the Ubuntu scripts make it easy I'm sure). Any video on the way? I'd love to see how it works with the screen size (does gOS have a problem with dialog boxes going off the screen?). What all did you have to do to get gOS working properly, was it just a matter of installing the already made Ubuntu scripts?
Love the gOS - now combine it with this:
The coolest mod (other than tnkgrl bluetooth), in fact this mod uses tnkgrl's inside information:
Eee PC with Touch Screen
see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VaerIGpO5Q#
Of course, then go with the 2G Surf (maybe convert the unused modem port to a "stylus storage location", add RAM, add SSD. Oh - somehow mod the mobile power supply to use AA 15 Minute Recharge batteries like you have from Eveready see:
http://www.energizer.com/products/hightech-batteries/rechargeables/Pages/rechargeable-products.aspx
Features & Benefits:
* Ultimate on the go charger!
* Uses energy from a power outlet in your car or AC wall-outlet
* Charges 4 AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
* For approximate charge times, download the user manual
Oh - Food for thought pages:
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/eere/
http://www.ornl.gov/ornlhome/energy.shtml
I know you've been working hard on that Asus Eee, and I read the 11/27 post comparing the Asus to the N810, but I've noticed you're not making any particular comments on the OLPC XO. Not that I would want to give you more work, but I'd be interested in your take on the XO. I am hoping that people will do some serious hacking on it to see if there is any way replace the Sugar UI or perhaps give us some other Unix distro besides the Fedora one it currently uses.
I got one two days ago, and so far so good. I have Opera installed on it, and I've read where Skype is installable (version 2). I think so much of the tech community is younger that they forget that mid-50s guys like me don't watch a lot of video, don't constantly listen to music, are not maddenly entertainment-driven, and simply want a low-powered machine that can surf the web, use Google docs and email, write a few things here and there, maybe read an ebook, and that's about it. The XO fills this bill surprisingly well, but I think could be much better if serious hackers look into it. Thanks for listening. -twl
Hi, 2 Qs:
1-how do you install gOS (or ubuntu, for that matter) if the EEE does not have a cd-rom reader?
2-how and why did you have to fiddle to make gOS work on the EEE? Do you think it is beyond the close-to-zero linux skills of a basic ubuntu user?
thanks a lot! :)
Massimo
To answer your Q's =)
1) You need an external drive. I used a LG DVD multi-writer in an external IDE enclosure (5.25") that has a built-in USB2.0 interface.
2) Everything you need to know is at http://www.eeeuser.com and go to the forums and look for alternate OS installs (Ubuntu, XP etc.) and follow the tweaks and guides for Ubuntu 7.1 (Which I'm running). Works wonderfully
Almost forgot, make sure the external DVD drive is POWERED on it's own (Internal power supply or powered USB hub with the external AC adapter) The eeePC WILL NOT power it on it's own reliably and sure pisses off the battery if you try.
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