Acer Aspire One has to be one of the worst things I have EVE

The MCSE certificate seems to be worthless if you managed to get one. If you are not able to figure out how to install something on the Linpus system you should consider changing your job.

 

As I mentioned before - you must be very poor MCSE... Sorry but not knowing how to install anything an laptop is a bit of shame today... And as I mentioned before - you've got only certificate - in that case I believe it's useless w/o proper knowledge...

 

As it has been pointed out here once, it is not easy getting a MCSE, I have 10 certifications for Microsoft I have been a Microsoft Pro for 16 years.
I have never used another OS. Hence why I got this to see how it worked. Hence why I wouldnt install windows on it, as that would clearly void any guarantee. ( I checked this with Tesco today)

It went back to Tesco today, and I was surprised to find I wasnt the only one in the queue taking one back, there were six people in front of me with boxes, doing the same thing, and when asked by the assistant why I was returning it, she said we have had 9 people return these today saying virtually the same thing 'Not user friendly". I spoke to a few of the people who had been in front of me and found two were PC engineers, who said " It was the worst piece of kit they had seen" ( Their words not mine)

Mike

PS, I havent made any personal comments about anyone here, and find it offensive that users feel the need to throw insualts about.

 

To be fair, your problem seems to be with the linux distro. Before bashing the machine in its entirety, what did you think about the hardware? If you found it to be of good build quality and obviously you are searching for a laptop with a small footprint, why not give the windows version a try if you are such an expert. Clearly an 8gb ssd and a scaled down version of linux was never meant for anyone wanting to do more than the most basic of tasks. This is why Acer has seen fit to make available mulitple configurations of this netbook. When you make a technology purchase for your clients, would you not get exactly what was required to meet their needs?

 

Yes you did. You actually called me an idiot... How you did that?? Simple. You actually shared your personal observation with us calling my choice the worst computer ever - that hurts my filings a lot... TBH if you have MCSE you should know anything about alternative systems - ATM you just said it's crap... For me it's an insult...

 

Your warranty on the hardware would not be void if you install Windows, and if an issue did crop up, it's easy enough to restore the system to Linpus. To be honest, I'd say it's your own fault for not trying the thing out first. I was looking at a few different netbooks/laptops before I bought the Acer and PC World have plenty to try out and have a play with.

I'd say you seem pretty closed-minded, arrogant and not someone I'd wish to work with or for from what you've posted so far. That isn't meant as an insult, I don't know you, merely stating how you have come across in this thread and as such how most people are here are seeing you. Rather than asking for advice ("I'm stuck installing software, can anyone help?"), you've started a thread slagging off a perfectly good bit of kit which people round here will obviously defend just because you don't like the OS and/or can't be bothered to learn how to use it. That's not conducive to a worthwhile discussion and portrays you personally, and professionally since you brought the MCSE up, in a bad light. You've picked the bad points of the Linpus Aspire One and dismissed it, others have picked the bad points of your personality and your certifications and dismissed them; fair's fair.

I also I have to ask if your story of six people in front of you in the queue is somewhat embellished?

 

The default install of Linpus Lite is not intended to be configurable - it's designed as an idiot-proof frontend for a light operating system. I knew exactly what I was buying as I researched the AA1 first and made a decision to buy the 8GB/Linux version.

I don't have any letters after my name (associated with IT at least) and consider myself in no way an expert with computers. On the other hand, I have used both Windows, since 3.1, and Linux, since Fedora Core 3. I still run WinXP exclusively on my desktop as it suits my needs. Frankly, I found it almost trivially easy to install Ubuntu and then its Netbook Remix over Linpus when I decided I didn't like certain aspects of the default operating system. Linux is about customisability and choice - even the supposedly 'locked down' interface on a default install of the AA1 is simple to unlock if you know how. I didn't, so I googled it. It took me 30 seconds to change after that.

I guess I'm just reiterating a point made by a previous poster - that you should have understood what the product was before you bought it. I'd like to point out that you contradict yourself:

How can you see how something works if you're not prepared to learn about it? Linux isn't obvious straight away, and it's certainly not Windows. However, it is easy to learn basic administration. I consider the Windows/Linux dichotomy similar to learning another language - people who don't see the point of it rarely succeed in learning a second language. I suspect that, given your experience and qualifications, you don't really see the point of using Linux. That's fair, and your choice, but to claim it's the worst thing you've ever bought says more about your decision making behind the purchase than the operating system. That's not intended as a dig, rather an honest observation.

I love my AA1.

 

Because I use Windows (I don't understand Windows) I went to Tesco and bought the version with Windows installed. It cost a few quid more, but so what! I've no computer qualifications so I select what I buy accordingly.

In an attempt to learn Linux as a start I have managed to install Ubuntu on a USB stick that the AA1 can boot from.

Maybe the problem is impulse buying :?:

 

Probably a good analysis and now the OP is a bit annoyed at himself for doing it.
Seriously, on many Linux forums, a Windows user will come on and having been misled by Linux advertising will be quite angry. To my mind, this is in part making promises that aren't kept--of course, it's the same with Windows and Mac. MS doesn't have on its website anything like Genuine Advantage is almost guaranteed to one day make you call us to get a new serial number for software that you purchased legitimately.
In the same way, newcomers read how well Linux works with everything these days and while it's not quite as bad as the old BOFH column (Where's my paper clip?) people come in with expectations that aren't met. I don't know what the commercials promised, but shucks, they're commercials. According to older commercials, smoking cigarettes was good for you.

(Which reminds me, what does the 5th out of 5 dentists recommend for their patients who chew gum--only 4 out 5 recommend sugarless.)
But I digress....

To use the AA1 as intended, Linpus is probably adequate for an MS user. However, if the person is used to tweaking Windows, then yes, no doubt, he's going to run into all sorts of issues. I look at it this way. One can rant (and by the way, to the OP, the abuse you've gotten here is tame compared to the old usenet days for a Linux stinks post) and take it back, or one can rant a bit, then say, Ok, would someone overlook my rants and help me try to solve these issues?

This is one of those bikeshed threads of course, but what the heck, it's fun to type drivel on a Sunday.

(For definition of bikeshed thread http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO885 ... D-PAINTING )

 

Re: Acer Aspire One has to be one of the best things...

What were you trying to do? See how the Aspire One works or see how Linux works?

With what the Aspire One gives you straight out of the box maybe you got a bad one but all of the features that I tried worked immediately. I didn't try to IM but I was able to wirelessly connect to the internet and surf, read, email (and use google chat). No training required.

If you wanted to try Linux, you could have downloaded and burned a CD with a "live" version of Linux and run it on an Windows computer. That's what I did before I bought my AAO. That kind of made me familiar with the OS before I spent money. (That was about 1 month ago).

I hesitated and read a lot before I downloaded other applications and made changes to the AAO. But I did it and it wasn't as hard as I expected.

From what I see in your post you gave up in less than 1 day?
You really project a bad image of yourself being as impatient as you sound.

 

Hilarious.

Folks, on behalf of all the (real) IT professionals here in Edinburgh, and so you don't think we're all ranting dorks, I have to apologise for this guy.

1. At universities in the UK we grow up on Unix, so being presented with a Linux box shouldn't totally phase our clueless ego-centric friend
2. Generally at school we also learn how to spell and use punctuation
3. And for things we don't know about, we read books, learn, and ask questions

Personally, I bought mine two months ago (in Tesco!) and am quite happy with it; re-learning things I've forgotten and learning new stuff on the way.

He has (surely?) to be a Troll else I feel really sorry for the folk at Tesco tomorrow. Maybe I'll drive over to Corstorphine and warn them.

 

I have to agree with Rowantree, maybe it was a wind-up but then again, throw in a blue screen of death for him and he'll maybe feel more at home.....

 

... this post is worthy of the worf.gif.

 

Give the guy a break, its not a straight forward as you all make out!

Im having problems with mine too, I have only ever used windows machines, so the one I brought may be going back to the shop soon too if I cant figure it out soon :!:

 

hmmm. Well, I have no complaints. People who don't have the time/patience to adjust to linux, or just install Windows are how I got my One so cheap. Keep on returning them guys. Ill gladly purchase another unabused ONE for what i paid for my "refurb" from mwave.com (refurb being a bios update and clean OS install according the Acer letter enclosed in the box)

An unhappy user of Linpus granted me a $270 One running XP w/1.5GB ram and a 20GB hd(yes that price includes my upgrades). So, by all means, keep taking them back.

 

Novice, please do not feed the Trolls - it only encourages them
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

 

Well, I've just brought another Linux model. And I'm a real MCSE (not one of these fake 'braindumpers' or twats who have to sit courses - I sat the exams and passed using just my own work experience and knowledge). Also did my CCNP (CIsco exams) by work experience, not courses.

These are great little machines which do what they are designed for.
Naturally I'm 'upgrading' the hardware (who isn't ?) but for a so-called MCSE to not have the intelligence to work out how to run a Linux box just shows how ignorant he really is (the phrase 'know thy enemies' and such like spring to mind).

I also do support small businesses (or SME as they are called in the real world) and if someone needs a Linux solution that's what I give them - normally a financial reason as to them not being able to afford Microsoft products. The Asus desktop EEE looks like something I should be able to shift easily. I have loyality to no one and no brand - I provide solutions that are best for my customers.

This is to show that not all MCSE are useless mono-thinking twats - some of us can adapt and also use common sense

 

If you can't live with linux... Install XP on your AAO and you'll be fine. There's an entire WINDOWS section in this forum for you to freely browse thru.

 

The One is sold as a closed system. As such it should not surprise you that there are no manuals on how to install stuff that Acer itself has not approved.

Of course, that it is possible to install quite a lot of applications anyway is nice. A pity that Acer has made it harder than necessary, but such is life.

It worked fine for me. Including the cam.

 

Hi all, I know I am new here, but I thought I would add my view. I have not bought a AAO yet, but am this week when I get paid from tesco for £248 with 1Gb and 120 Gb hdd with linpus, but being a IT professional I think that if someone is willing to put in a bit of effort and reading on the net or books, then anything can be understood if you got a good basic understanding of systems.

I have HNC in computing as my highest qualification, and I can get my head around linux by reading up on stuff I dont know, can use windows as it is my primary base. Also I learnt to use Old Dos commands back in the days of dos and win 3.1 and setting up batch files like autoexec.bat and config.sys to get enough memory to run games and applications, which I wonder if someone who has taken the today course on MCSE would have any knowledge off it.

Also I learnt myself to use Amiga Dos CLI commands to use programs to read/write ADF and DMS files and I learnt to use the atari ST system over the last 5 years. So a bit of effort to learn something new on an alternative OS should not be to difficult. Just my opinion.

Hope to join the AAO community later this week and will probably be posting with a few queries for advice and reading the how-tos.

Anthony