The Acer Guy

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!

1 Comment »

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:

91 Comments »

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.

No Comments »

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

No Comments »

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…

26 Comments »

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!

59 Comments »

It’s the first thing that came to mind when I first saw the Aspire One.

It’s a pretty smooth process, and all the necessary controls and features are there.

Sweet!

20 Comments »

Obviously I don’t know how to count.

CNET says “it takes approximately 17 seconds to boot the operating system — 3 seconds quicker than an Eee PC 901 — and about 10 seconds to launch common apps like OpenOffice or Firefox”.

Still, whoever’s counting, it’s pretty quick and mighty slick.

No Comments »

Look what I found…!!!

More coming.

3 Comments »

Just a quick service announcement really.

Simone’s REALLY busy right know prepping his staff for the Gemstone 8920/6920, Predator and Aspire One which means that we’re (he’s) not answering your mails as fast as he’s famous for.

Keep sending them in, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can, or if they’re part of a topic, post them here - there are hundreds (well, three) of people always ready with an answer

1 Comment »