CPCUGcolor.JPG (10370 bytes)Cincinnati PC User Group

 


August General Meeting Presentation

The August General Meeting will consist of two presentations by CPCUG members.

Asus Eee PC

By Doug Johnson

Why did I want to buy Asus? I did it for a couple of reasons. I wanted a small notebook to take on trips plus I wanted to dabble more with Linux. At present Microcenter has the pink 2-G model for $299 and white 4-G model for $399. I bought the 4-G model and let it charge for a couple hours while I looked at what else came in the box. There is a copy of Windows XP CD included, so I guess some people buy it for the small form factor and immediately load Windows XP. I have decided to stay with the preloaded Linux operating system.

The specifications for the system are as follows:

• Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV 900MHz

• Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 900 GPU

• Storage: 4GB of Flash-based storage (SSD)

• Memory: 512MB of DDR2 RAM (667MHz)

• OS: Xandros Linux (Asus customized)

• Screen: 7-inch screen with 800 x 480 resolution

• Ports: 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA monitor out, headphone jack, microphone input, SD card reader (SDHC compatible), Kensington lock slot, Ethernet 10/100

• Webcam (0.3 MP)

• Battery: 4-cell 5200 mAh 7.4V Li-Ion (rated at 3.5 hours)

• Wireless: 802.11b/g Atheros

• Input: Keyboard and Touchpad

• Weight: approximately 2 lbs with battery, 2.5 lbs travel weight with AC adapter.

• Two-year warranty

It also comes loaded with a group of 40 preloaded applications including Open Office 2.0 and the Firefox browser; therefore, one does not have to buy a lot of software for first use. The only negative for some people may be the small keyboard. If you have large fingers the keyboard may cause problems, but the main reason to buy it is for use on trips where you may not need to type a lot of information. If you need to do a lot of typing, you might consider a flexible keyboard. I have added a mouse and flexible keyboard that were instantly recognized by Linux, unlike Windows which sometimes requires a few minutes before the input devices are available for use. I have not spent a lot of time typing with either keyboard yet to say which I like better. I think the Asus Eee PC is a good little laptop that will be lots of fun to explore.

The Free Windows Desktop

By Chuck Dragga

New PC’s usually come without any useful programs. All it has are trial offers and some useless games. I will show you how to remove this unwanted stuff commonly referred to as “Crapware” and provide you with a compilation of the free productivity programs to replace it. This will include spreadsheet programs, word processors, antivirus, firewall, CD-burning software, photoediting software, games and more. If you are like a lot of us in these difficult economic times, that is, without a budget to buy new software, then you will almost assuredly bring home some valuable information from this session.

 

 


AFL CIO Union Hall

August 11th, 2008  at 7:00 p.m.


 
 

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