The Acer Guy

I’ve been getting mails from Aspire One users who are unable to log in to Messenger with their Aspire One.

I’ve asked Acer support for an explanation and there is one.

“Microsoft has changed the protocol to login to their servers and our application needs to be updated - it should be ready in the next three days. Updates will be available from the Live Update service”.

So keep your eyes open for an update, OK?

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OK. Let’s get this show on the road.

The first thing I need to clear up is my Aspire One. It hasn’t arrived and I’m not happy. Got an email from the online retailer saying that “…due to delivery delays on a national level…”, I won’t be receiving it until after the 8th August (which means the 10th at the earliest).

National level?? Ingram Micro what do you have to say for yourselves? Probably nothing as you probably don’t even track your incoming links…

So the Aspire One review will have to wait. Ho Hum…

But onto more important things:

The Acer Guy - YOUR website - is going to get a complete make-over, starting right now. I know I’ve been toying with the idea for a while and have mentioned it on more than a few occasions but this time it’s for real.

But being me, I want to do things differently. Of course I have my own agenda and things I want to see happen, but I’d REALLY love to incorporate some ideas that come from the people who use this site. The REAL Acer Guys in other words.

I mean, the idea of setting up a forum/community *IS*on the to-do list, but how should it be done? Should it be moderated (and by who?) or is setting up a “member’s section” enough to keep out the spam we’ve been seeing so much of recently?

I *LOVE* surveys (like: please rate Acer Customer Support from 1-10, or at the other end of the spectrum, Do you want an Aspire One 1-10?) but there has to be a purpose to it. Would you guys like to see something like Dell’s IdeaStorm (just for fun - not officially sanctioned remember? (yet)) or should I just stick to the classic question layout - might be a bit boring no?

How about another “How To…” section where members (you) can upload videos and instructions on how to get the best out of Acer notebooks/PCs?

The list is essentially endless as this is potentially one big blank sheet but I’m very open to suggestion. Comments welcome!

I’m also looking at getting some T-Shirts designed and will be sending them off to the most persistent contributors and reviewers (Morris, you’re top of the list).

I’ve asked the web design agency to have a go at creating a new logo but again, if any of you are expert graphic artists, well hey, I’d be honored…

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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OK. It happens.

Every now and then, the CineDash media console on the Aspire Gemstone Blue models freezes, turns off, refuses to work, leaves you in locked out of the car in the pouring rain… The causes are endless, but the solution is quite simple.

To reset the CineDash, remove the power cable AND the battery for more than ten seconds.

Tadaa!

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Hello everyone.

Just got back from a week’s vacation and am going through all the mail and comments to see if there’s something I really need to deal with now so that I can have an answer by tomorrow.

For those who saw it, apologies for the spam that got through. At times like these I don’t mind admitting I have an iPhone particularly as it allowed me to cancel that filth from the beach!

Got some great questions in but one really stands out. I’ve never done this before, but I just HAD to republish AJ’s mail - after all, the best eyes out there are always yours and I’m sure he won’t mind!

“Looking for a site or place to purchase a 6920 or 8920-pref. with all bells and whistles for under $1299. I’ve done some reading and these laps are the BEST out there. Any help is appreciated.”

(curious to see if any online retailers read this blog). Answers/suggestions below please.

Tomorrow - hopefully - I’ll get my Aspire One (it was delivered while I was away - DUH!) so I’ll be writing about that and I’ll also start asking for help with the Acer Guy re-vamp I’m going to commission over the next few months. Now’s your chance to design a corporate blog just the way you want it…

Right now, as I’m sure any of you with three kids will understand, I need to get some sleep.

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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!

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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:

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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.

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Just a little something I picked up on my travels for all of you thinking about going the XP route but have an Aspire 2920.

Remember this is not something I recommend as your warranty basically takes a leap off the Golden Gate Bridge but as there are so many of you who ask, I really can’t ignore it.

Hope it helps.

Downgrading Acer Aspire 2920/2920Z to Windows XP SP2

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This is the last video I made of the Aspire One before having to hand it back (sob).

This time I have a look at its word processing abilities, find out (for the Linux / OpenSource illiterate amongst us) whether it’s compatible with Word and also have a check to make sure the webcam isn’t going to give me problems

Can’t think of anything I’d need to add to this machine. Can’t wait till it comes out (and neither can my daughter)!

UPDATE: I managed to totally screw this up and put up a duplicate video. Apologies for the sloppy cut ‘n paste technique… The right one’s up now…

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You want to chat? Can’t think of an easier (and smaller) way of doing it than with the Aspire One.

This is me taking you through the various elements of the interface and setting up a Messenger account and Skype account.

Phew!

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