Where Do YOU Send Netbook Users For Help?

I'm all for the custom GUI. I'm even all for the lower-level patches. But I don't like how some of the netbook distros seem to reinvent the wheel.

As a new Aspire One owner, it's frustrating. Yes, it boots damn quick. Yes, the "home" page is almost idiot-proof. But they changed enough to infuriate me. I don't really want to change distros, because then I'll have to manually optimize it for quicker start-ups and jump through some hoops to get the hardware working. However, as something of a power-user, I feel like Linpus is tying my hands behind my back. Even with the Livna repository set up, I'm still having a rough time installing VLC or upgrading MPlayer because the dependencies of the newer versions conflict so harshly with what's already installed.

So, the GUI tweaks are fine. The hardware optimizations are fine. But they need to know when to quit.

From a vendor's point of view, it probably seems a good idea. However, there are two major problems that I see in it. Firstly, while there aren't a gigantic number of people that can give aid with Linux, there are quite a few - especially in one of the hottest areas (that I've seen) for the eeePC, colleges and universities. Unless the vendor is prepared to offer high-quality OS and application tech support, they should do all they can to make use of whatever Linux support resources already exist. Ubuntu is becoming increasingly common, so the best move (in my mind) would be to re-brand Ubuntu, but keep the functionality the same, therefore making use of (arguably) a relatively large experience base, by Linux standards. If you're a hardware company, and don't focus on providing (software) technical support, the smartest thing to do is to try and maximize the amount of third-party software support that's available.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, we've finally started to reach a time when Linux is becoming standardized. Most popular distros follow (more-or-less) the LSB specification, and Gnome and KDE have become the accepted standards for pretty much all non-geek graphical environments. It's taken years to reach this point, and the introduction of mass-market netbooks, many with their own customized distros, is not helping, nor is it smart on the manufacturers' part.

Perhaps the biggest problem is that the manufacturers themselves just see Linux as an OS that doesn't cost them anything, without seeing the big picture. If they truly understood Free software, they'd be working to improve on existing technology, while retaining the existing code as a base, rather than struggling to differentiate their offering. If I was to start selling Linux-based netbooks, I think the solution is quite simple, just by following the trends in the Linux world: sell a "business" version that runs RedHat or CentOS, maybe SuSE, and a "consumer" version that has Ubuntu (which, as far as I've seen, is the most popular with the non-linux crowd). Rather than trying to build my own distro and differentiate it from everything else, I'd build on what little Linux experience the general public has, by using the most common distros. If the marketing guys want differentiation so badly, that's the wonder of Free software - just add vendor-specific logos and a custom theme.

On a personal note, I've had an eeePC 701G Surf since December 2007. The *first* thing I did when I got it was create a 4GB SDHC card with a full install of my favorite distro, and set it up to boot from the SDHC. I haven't booted Xandros more than twice. Even the "expert" mode, which is somewhat like a normal desktop environment, is severely lacking in common tools, administrative tools, and security (the user separation is abysmal). I would've been much more happy to see it ship with a good install of Ubuntu, even locked down with a "simple" desktop for the default user. Things like sed, awk, grep, and an SSH server should be instaled on every Linux system. Also, just a theory - set each system to have a unique, randomly generated root password, and print it on a label on the bottom of the machine.

each one has there own little cult. and the cult will tel you what you need. i found eeebuntu-remix, along with a whole group of ppl who were really i to their eee's. (a nice switch from always feeling like a pariah when i ask for Linux help. my g/f found one for her acer, and im sure the other netbooks all have their own groups. the thing about the netbook is its an identity thing. like those kids who mod Honda civics. if you need to point some one to help; find the online cult fr the particular unit. if the asker hasn't found a group yet they are missing over half the joy of owning one. sad really.

New users will find the customized UI easier to navigate. Geeks will quickly learn how to tear off the covers and find the real stuff underneath.

I can only assume that the vendors are installing and customizing Linux to create a smooth user experience for their customers. After all if Linux is so great that we think our non-technical friends and family should be running it then none of this would be an issue. Ease of use ( "It just work" ) is why some people ( myself included ) by Macs.