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I’ll be looking for this model, and if anybody sees it on the shelves in Pingtung, please let me know.

Slashdot Hardware Story | Asus Budget Ultraportable Notebook Sold Sans OS

EconolineCrush writes “Tired of paying the Windows tax on notebooks? Asus’s Eee PC 1201T budget ultraportable comes without a traditional operating system and sells for only $380. The 12-inch system has promising specifications, sporting an Athlon Neo processor, Radeon HD 3200 graphics, Bluetooth, and 802.11n Wi-Fi. It weighs just 3.2lbs with a 6-cell battery and can even handle light gaming duties. However, battery life in Ubuntu is considerably shorter than it is under Windows. Are there any better options for would-be laptop Linux users?”

SpiderOak is a fantastic service. For Linux users, it’s the best backup service I’ve found. I was having trouble connecting for a couple days and checked out their blog, which told me how to fix the problem.

The silver lining behind this hiccup was that I learned that SpiderOak responds to such inevitable problems quickly and publicly. The other silver lining was that I found their blog, which seems to be full of good stuff. If you’re looking for a backup solution, I highly recommend SpiderOak.

From the Treetops – Feeling disconnected? This is why.

Feeling disconnected? This is why.
Posted by Alan Fairless at May 14, 2010 11:30 PM

If you’re having connection problems from the SpiderOak client, the solution is to upgrade to version 3.6.9658 or later.

… because 3 years ago when we launched SpiderOak I generated the SpiderOak SSL certificates that the SpiderOak client uses to verify the identify of the storage server. This is to protect against DNS poisoning attacks (i.e. otherwise an attacker that controlled DNS could attempt to convince your SpiderOak client to upload data to a different server.) These are not the same certificates as for the SpiderOak website.

I thought I generated certificates for 10 years, but they were only for the default of 3 years, and thus connections began expiring en masse about an hour ago. Most mistakes you should only make one time, and clearly this would fall under that category.

The verification for the cert is embedded along with the new SpiderOak client. We generated new certs, and fast tracked new builds through testing and release, so please visit the direct download link and all will be well again.

Please accept my deepest apologies; I’ve requested my flogging to be scheduled tomorrow at sunrise.

I have a feeling I’ll need to do this some day:

How to fix broken Windows, using Unix. Linux article

How to use ISO images of Linux to remove a Windows virus.

Every time I get asked to remove a virus from a panicked Windows users computer, I think it will be the last. I continue to be wrong, and I see the same viruses appear over and over again on different computers. Since my days in PC boot camp, new technologies have changed the way I remedy a Windows virus. This is how I eradicate those stubborn viruses on todays Windows machines.

First, I Google the Windows virus message and write down the virus details and files associated with the virus.

Second, I insert a bootable Puppy Linux CD into the machine and power on and boot into Puppy. I then use file manager in Puppy Linux to navigate the hard drive of the effected computer, locate the virus files and delete the offending virus files (from the notes I took above during my Google search). I remove the Puppy CD and reboot back into Windows. This works EVERY time.

To create a Puppy Linux CD you need to download an ISO image from the Puppy site and burn a bootable CD. If you run an Ubuntu operating system you will find this the easiest way to make a bootable CD, you simply right mouse click on the ISO image once it is on your hard drive and select make CD. For creating a bootable CD in Windows youll need to read your CD Burning software instructions as they all do it differently.

A bootable Puppy Linux CD allows me to mount the windows drive in Unix, open a unix based file manager, find and delete the virus executable files (.exe). (identified in my Google research on the virus)

In my experience infected Windows computers ALWAYS have outdated virus software (AVG is good and free), have not received regular windows updates from Microsoft and have Microsoft Defender either disabled or not installed. Those are the three keys to healthy Windows laptops and PCs: Anti-Virus (AVG is free), MS Updates (enable auto-update, its free) and Microsoft Defender (Free). After I delete the virus files it can take another 60-90 minutes to download and install all of the updates.

I realize that these instructions are geared for someone who has spent some time with different flavors of Unix, but with Puppy Linux you don’t have to be a Linux genius. In fact once you boot into Puppy you will notice it looks a lot like any Windows system you have ever used. I have had computer novices use Puppy to grab a web browser and balance their check book on-line during lunch break.

As an IT Professional I keep the Puppy Linux CD in a safe location so I always have it ready when the next panicked Windows user calls me because they are missing deadline due to a virus that has crippled their computer.

To fix broken Windows use Unix. Puppy Linux (and Google) is all you need!