First test of Linux in a store

[Denis Beauregard]

I finally did it.

I visited the closer computers stores to try Knoppix Linux
on their portable computer.

At the first one, it seems there were only salespersons with
no technical knowledge (I am pretty none of them ever heard
the word "knoppix"). So, just too bad and no possibility of
trying it.

At the second store, I was more lucky. The salesperson knew
what was Knoppix (he even downloaded some release) and knew
something about Linux (a bit more than me when I tried to see
what Linux could detect).

I tested the Acer TM2102WLC F (the last F is for French). It
is a low cost portable PC with Windows XP. We had to change
the set up to boot from the CD-ROM (on my home computer, this
is not necessary). It seems Knoppix was detecting every
hardware I may need. I remember it detected the cd-rom
(obviously), the hard disk (I don't remember if I checked
if the content was there on all partition, and on my home PC,
Knoppix couldn't see the secondary partitions), the ethernet
card and the USB port. I didn't check the floppy (it seems
it has none) nor the DVD-ROM (don't know if there is one),
and I don't know if I can burn cd-roms.

So, the hardware is likely not enough for my needs (I need the
floppy to exchange the data with my main computer when I go
to libraries). Otherwise, I would be satisfied. But I have
2 other computers to test, the one sold with no XP (and it
is cheaper than the Acer with a larger disk but no XP, and I
can add a Floppy disk) and the Presario R3210CA FR which is
a bit less expensive. But since I know someone who purchased
one, I will be able to try it out of the store !


Denis

[Robert Heiling]

Denis Beauregard wrote:

I finally did it.

I visited the closer computers stores to try Knoppix Linux
on their portable computer.

Great! Thanks for letting us know!.

At the first one, it seems there were only salespersons with
no technical knowledge (I am pretty none of them ever heard
the word "knoppix"). So, just too bad and no possibility of
trying it.

That's one of the scenarios I had predicted.

At the second store, I was more lucky. The salesperson knew
what was Knoppix (he even downloaded some release) and knew
something about Linux (a bit more than me when I tried to see
what Linux could detect).

I tested the Acer TM2102WLC F (the last F is for French). It
is a low cost portable PC with Windows XP.

The XP is probably French unless the BIOS is also.

We had to change
the set up to boot from the CD-ROM (on my home computer, this
is not necessary).

You just don't remember for your home computer because you haven't
modified your BIOS in a long time, just like I haven't.

It seems Knoppix was detecting every
hardware I may need. I remember it detected the cd-rom
(obviously), the hard disk (I don't remember if I checked
if the content was there on all partition, and on my home PC,
Knoppix couldn't see the secondary partitions), the ethernet
card and the USB port. I didn't check the floppy (it seems
it has none) nor the DVD-ROM (don't know if there is one),
and I don't know if I can burn cd-roms.

The DVD drive would be the same one as the CD drive that you used. I
wouldn't expect any problem with USB and you could check ethernet by
bringing up Konqueror as a browser and see if it could get to Google on
the web (that assumes they have a modem connect or network there inside
the store).

So, the hardware is likely not enough for my needs (I need the
floppy to exchange the data with my main computer when I go
to libraries).

You could use USB between the 2 computers instead. - faster!

Otherwise, I would be satisfied. But I have
2 other computers to test, the one sold with no XP (and it
is cheaper than the Acer with a larger disk but no XP, and I
can add a Floppy disk) and the Presario R3210CA FR which is
a bit less expensive. But since I know someone who purchased
one, I will be able to try it out of the store !

Denis

Bob

[Joe Makowiec]

On 26 Aug 2004 in soc.genealogy.computing, Denis Beauregard wrote:

So, the hardware is likely not enough for my needs (I need the
floppy to exchange the data with my main computer when I go
to libraries).

You can't transfer over a network or using one of those USB-connected
memory dongles?

--
Joe Makowiec
http://makowiec.org/
Email: http://makowiec.org/contact/?Joe

[Denis Beauregard]

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 02:47:38 GMT, Joe Makowiec
<[email protected]> wrote in soc.genealogy.computing:

On 26 Aug 2004 in soc.genealogy.computing, Denis Beauregard wrote:

So, the hardware is likely not enough for my needs (I need the
floppy to exchange the data with my main computer when I go
to libraries).

You can't transfer over a network or using one of those USB-connected
memory dongles?

Habits ! I used to do that...

I don't know if it would work with my PC (it has Win 98 and for my
camera, there is a software used to transfer images to the computer
while in Win XP and likely Linux, it would be already available).

Anyway, I think a floppy disk is still usefull now.


Denis