Moblin works, if you are ready for the plunge
I tried a bit of new software today. Nothing out of the ordinary in that, I get paid to play the game, but this particular package might have a useful future.
Netbooks are the new toy, as I’ve mentioned before. For those who no longer enjoy the shoulder and back aches associated with the average laptop, this form of personal computer is welcome (at least, mine is). With a bit more memory, W7 runs nicely. So does Linux. Both, even, for the adventurous.
Following a link from one of the dozens of trade emails I receive each morning, I took the time to read about the Moblin.org project, which is aimed at the same Atom processor that the netbook generation is learning to love. Here’s the good part. Most of us don’t need the “standard” interface of a Windows, or Gnome or KDE desktop, so a consortium has produced a model for the “mobile linux” user.
My first reaction is “Fast!” followed by “Complete”. I needed only a few minutes to figure out the interface and get networked and active. Given the tie to the various Linux repositories, software junkies can get their fix of new open source stuff on a regular basis. Meanwhile, your day-to-day use is quite satisfactory.
A slight frown, however, for installation. I downloaded an IMG (image) file from Dell, and installed it on an available USB drive. HOWEVER, this is not a Live CD. No sooner recognized than the disk was into reformat phase. I was using a borrowed computer for my test, so I did have to face a complete reinstallation before lunch, leaving only a brief hour for my tests. I wish that the script writer had thought about either warning the eventual user, or better, considered a test version. I recovered; others might not.
