Asus EEE 900 arrived and unboxed and observed

I was eager for the day when this was to show up. As mentioned above, this was an inexpensive computer with the specs to match: 8.9" screen, Card reader, microphone (but no web cam), 3 USB ports, undersized keyboard (90%), Wifi, Intel® Mobile 900 MHz CPU, 512MB DDR2 RAM, 4GB SSD (really?), speakers, VGA out, earphone jack, 9"x 7" x 1.5", 2.2lbs (1kg). Linux.

The package came with the computer, the battery, AC recharger, customer service sheet, user manual, and recovery CD (computer has no drive). Not much. The battery was clipped on and I charged it up while looking at the paperwork. The customer service sheet was a quick reference sheet, and the manual wasn't much better, but gave more detailed descriptions of the installed apps.

This leads directly to my first comment: it's setup to be an appliance. I was shocked that the interface was a series of tabs (Internet, Work, Play, Settings) with giant icons for the various programs. I was expecting it to be much harder to use, or at least similar to the mac or PC graphical user interface (GUI). However, this has turned into a bad thing, as I'm stuck with it (for now), and can't modify it at all (except for a favorites tab where I can have a BEST OF installed programs list).

Asus EEE 900 ordered

I've finally bought my first laptop. I'd been planning on getting some sort of laptop for a while: I bought a wireless mouse 4 months ago, and bought a external DVD/CDROM 2 months ago. I knew I wanted a netbook, but I was originally planning on getting a Samsung NC-10 at around $425. Instead, I saw a refurbished Asus EEE 900
on Woot.com for $150. There was a slightly upgraded version (2gb SSD and Windows XP instead of Unix) for $175 on their sister site, but I knew XP needed a full GB of RAM, and b0th models had 512kb.
Also, I wanted to try a unix machine to see the differences from Windows and Mac. While I TTY and use UNIX to access an old email account to this day, I haven't used unix since college back in the 80s.
Finally, I wanted to try the cheapest machine I could find to help me decide what features I liked when getting a 'real' laptop later. What features did I hate, which could I live with? This might be fun. A friend called it a hobby.
This is 180 degrees from my regular views on computers. I believe computers should be appliances, and work every time, not constantly needing attention and upgrades. This is why I don't do PC gaming anymore: I hated the 'upgrade game' I had to play whenever I bought a new game.

I ordered it and waited for it to arrive.

Update!

Almost August, and things are heating up for me. I've tried, in the last year, to do more stuff, taking advantage of having Tom being able to work for me. He gave his notice last weekend, that he'd be leaving within two weeks. However, I'd already made plans further out. I'm heading to Indy, for Gencon, and to see the family. This is the first Gencon I've made since 2004. I wondered why, and have a few reasons:
1) It's the same weekend as the PKA Denver Knife Show.
2) The store wasn't doing well.
3) I had no employee working for me, so I'd have to close the store.
4) I hate quick trips, so I want to be there longer, which means store closed longer.

I've pre-registered for Gencon, saving me $25. I've bought plane tickets, and changed them (for an additional fee). I was going to arrive the Wed before the con, and leave the following Wed, but I changed them so I arrive Friday the 15th around noon, and leave a week from Saturday the 23rd early. This new schedule loses me a day and a half at the Con, but gains me a FRI afterwards so I can go to the Indy 1500 knife and gun show. I've heard good things about it.
I did double book myself, but have canceled my hotel reservation in Denver.
So, I don't want to skip this trip and lose all that money I've paid, so the store will be close AUG 15th through AUG 22nd. Even if I hire a new guy before then, it's too short a training period before I leave for him/her/it to get up to speed.

quickies:
I'm seeing a Directors cut of Long Way Down tonight over in Ft Collins.
Solar guys didn't show this morning, we're going to reschedule, but Dad and Tom are leaning on me to get solar installed at the Dungeon before home as Dungeon electric bills are higher, and I can save more money off the cost of installation at a Business via Government rebate.
Meeting with Keven this Tuesday. I need to get some cash, and want to ask him what his job is. Looking at some of my stocks from 2005 vs now, and I see some have dropped 75%. He's supposed to be actively watching my portfolio, so I wonder if he may be slipping or never good at this part in the first place. He is great at picking Mutual Funds, but may be lacking in other areas.

What do you want??

Is this what you want? Pictures with each posting?

Multiplayer Halo 3 Rocks!

Ok, I have to go back on my last post. After I played halo 3 for a while I tried two games of multiplayer. I was on a different map than my beta test, and I was a lot more familar with the different weapons. Tactics are still totally different than Campaign mode, which is a failing of a lot of FPS (Gears of War being a notable exception), but the map I played (Guardian?) was a bit more spread out and isolated, and the game I played had less people. But, I assume the big difference is that with so many players, the matchmaking was more even, pitting me against other noobs.
Still not my kettle of fish, but I didn't hate playing.

Multiplayer Halo 3 sucks!

Downloaded the Halo 3 multiplayer demo. Played a game. 2 players got over 20 kills each, I got 1. I had forgotten how much I hate multiplayer FPS, running around and shooting at everything. It requires a different mindset than the single player game, and different skillset and tactics. I had hoped to be able to walk around and try out the new equipment, take my time. But, the cold map I played on is very small, with a lot of nooks and crannies. I wanted to be able to at least get an idea of weapon strengths and capabilities, but most of the time I didn't get to fire at anyone before I was shot in the back.

Gears of War multiplayer feels the most like single player of any shooter I've played, and I feel that my skillset translated over well. I still didn't enjoy it that much, and I only did it as a friend was online and asked me to join him.

Played a bunch of Call of Duty 2 multiplayer, again with a friend. I enjoyed this more than Halo, as the maps were a bunch bigger, and the weapons are scaled down. Still hated snipers and campers with a bead on the spawn area killing you the second you re-spawned and took a step. I also enjoyed the team aspect, rather than the free for all in the H3 game I played.

I'll still buy Halo 3, and play through the single player stuff. I may even buy Shadowrun, just for the single player training and Me vs Bots play. I really enjoyed the single player part of Rainbow Six Vegas.

Multiplayer Halo 3 may be fine and fun for some, but multiplayer isn't enjoyable for me. I DO love Co-Op.

Super Sunday

Opening the store for the first time in nine years tomorrow for a special event. I expect close to 50 attendees. Then after it's over, going to watch the Super Bowl. Go Bears.