July 2008
Monthly Archive
Holidays
Posted by 
Michael Walsh) on Jul 25 2008 | Tagged as: Acer
I know I’ve been quiet.
But don’t think for a moment I’ve not been busy. The Aspire One launch has been the most intensive project I have ever worked on (in fact if anyone’s noticed, the main website changes every day as someone in a suit gets another brilliant idea that we then have to transform into something real and understandable…).
I wonder what Publicis will make of this latest effort.
Next week, we’re taking our first steps towards the Olympics 2010/2012 which should be a giggle, considering I’ll be on holiday.
Which brings me to the reason for this post.
After months of deliberation, I have decided that the time has come to give TheAcerGuy a make over. That means we can open up surveys, user accounts maybe even start a forum. Right now it’s a blank sheet of paper..
If you have any requests or things you hate about traditional corporate sites and that you’d like to see done here (within reason) now’s the time to ask for it.
I am, as I mentioned before, going on holiday for one week without my TravelMate (or Aspire One which should arrive the day after I leave dammit!)..
So while I might not get back to your personal questions, the blog i always open for coffee, conversation, constructive criticism.
The moment I get back I’m going to start the ball rolling with the site upgrades so please send in your suggestions.
Happy holidays to all of you!
| 3.2 |
Getting Skype on the Aspire One
Posted by Michael Walsh) on Jul 25 2008 | Tagged as: Acer, User reviews
As many of you will have noticed, the Aspire One comes without Skype installed.
Rumour has it the decision not to include it as standard comes down to a question of cost. Skype is free if you download it for personal use, however, if a computer manufacturer wants to install it as OEM software, there’s a licence fee to pay, which would have bumped up the cost of the Aspire One and would have made Skype the only paid-for software on the machine.
Don’t know if this is true, but if it is, hats off to Acer for saving us all some unnecessary cash.
However, that leaves us with the problem of getting Skype on the Aspire One.
Got a mail from Daniel who managed to get Skype installed on his Aspire One just the way he wanted and I thought I’d post it here so that you could do the same.
First off, you have to download and install Skype 2.0 for Linux. You can find it here. (http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/)
To launch it, you’ll need to enable the advance mode on the Acer Aspire One that allows the user to “go behind” the default GUI (graphic user interface) and open up the main Linpus features.
“To do this go to Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.
The Linpus Linus uses Xfce, so use “xfce-setting-show” to get the Xfce Settings Manager.
Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and choose the Behavior tab.
Now click under Menus the Show desktop menu on right click option and close the window.
This setting will allow you to bring up the normal desktop menu when you right click somewhere on the desktop. The Desktop Menu contains many more options than the limited user interface on the Aspire One.
Under System you will find Add/Remove Software which is the Red Hat/Fedora Packet Manager. You will need your password (the one you set up during installation) to access it. Now you can go nuts and install programs. It’s a pretty big selection and the files will be downloaded (you need internet access) and installed for you. If it’s an application you usually find it later in the Desktop Menu.
That will put it on your desktop but if you want it in the “Connect” area, then you’ll need to edit a XML file located in:
/home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml
Opened it and look for the line concerning Skype:
Just delete the exclamation point and the dashes, reboot and there it is, the Skype logo in all its glory in the Connect Area!
A screenshot of the Homepage:
| 3.7 (9 people) |
Acer Aspire One gets its first award
Posted by Michael Walsh) on Jul 01 2008 | Tagged as: Acer
Sorry guys. You know as well as I do that I usually shun official reviews in favour of your thoughts but this review deserves a standing ovation.
In the UK, Acer has always had a hard time getting recommended but in this June review from PC Pro, not only does it get 5 stars (out of 6), but a nice Recommended award too.
PC PRO also goes as far as to say “the Aspire one is absolutely gorgeous.” which just goes to show that the easy ride is well and truly over for the Asus Eee range. 
| 3.7 (3 people) |
