For anyone who is feeling adventurous or just fancies a change from the ‘usual’ operating systems on their netbook, a new version of MilaX has been released, along with a version which is optimized for use with the Asus Eee PC netbook, as reported on Liliputing.
MilaX runs from a USB stick and is an OS based on the Solaris Nevada operating system. The new version – v0.4 and the 0.4 Eee PC LiveUSB version, have been released and are ideal for netbooks due to their minimal need to use system resources.
Reports are that by using the Eee PC optimized version on your Eee PC netbook both wifi and ethernet are working with the OS.
Both the 0.4 Eee PC LiveUSB version of MilaX and the 0.4 version can be found here.
Quick confession: I’m a fan of Sony’s instant-on mode for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. With a push of a button, I can go ahead and access all my favorite games and media in mere seconds. So I was a bit surprised and glad to hear that Sony has implemented the same technology on the Sony Vaio P. The Vaio P’s instant-mode gives users the ability to browse the Web on a Firefox-based web browser, access photos, videos and music, make VoIP calls with a built-in version of Skype, and chat with their buddies using the inbuilt Pidgin instant messenger. Above is a video demonstrating how it works, courtesy of UMPC portal.
HP has announced that it will stop selling any more netbooks pre-loaded with the Linux OS in UK, due to consumer demand for the beefier, and infinitely more user-friendly Windows XP. All new HP netbooks starting from the HP Mini 1000 will have Windows XP (or some other form of Windows) out of the box, with no official support for Linux from HP. This in itself isn’t entirely surprising. Linux kicked off to a good start with the rise of netbooks a few months back, but slowly consumers started to demand the old desktop OS that was Windows XP on their new portable computing machines. With this, HP adds yet another nail to Linux’s coffin, which may finally be closed for good if and when Microsoft decides to offer Windows 7 for free.
While Microsoft has no definite plans regarding Windows 7 offerings and netbooks, HP is working on an agenda of its own, and intends release its upcoming netbooks with either of three different Windows 7 flavors. The three versions of Windows 7 that HP plans on using for its netbooks are Windows 7 Starter Edition, Windows 7 Home Premium, and Windows 7 Professional. Easily, this means that customers will have a choice for a cheaper version of one of HP’s netbooks, by going for the one pre-loaded with Windows 7 Starter Edition, but the ones with Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Home Premium should also command considerable attention. One thing that’s clear, though, is that Windows 7 should finally put the nail in the coffin of Windows XP. I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t, since XP is still a widely-used operating system, but I think (and I know Microsoft would agree) that Windows 7 should wipe out Windows XP completely.
Jolicloud is a new operating system that’s being developed for use on netbooks specifically. The OS has been developed by Netvibes founder Tariq Krim. Jolicloud is a stripped down version of Linux, to “simplify netbook use”. The OS has a simple iPhone style interface that until now we’ve seen little of but, the developers have posted up an image of Jolicloud in action for our enjoyment.
The menu is similar to the iPhone interface and this lends to less clutter and a particularly stylish looking OS as you can see for yourself in the full sized image here and once Jolicloud is released of course. A private beta is rumoured before the OS goes to retail in the coming months and the Krim has said that they are hoping to include support for touchscreen too.
The growing popularity of the the Windows XP Operating Systems among netbooks was not expected by everyone. Whereas the first version of the Eee PC which sprung the growth of the netbook market, was well accepted by users with its Linux OS, those were however are curious enthusiasts who want to get a feel of the Open Source OS. And another reason why the Linux OS was embraced by the netbook-using community is because of it doesn’t pull up the prices of netbooks as compared to when using the Windows XP.
But gradually, that all changed as Microsoft started its Windows XP OS at such an affordable price for netbook purposes. Hence, netbook manufacturers including Asus have found it a great development and has boost the sales and growing interest of users on netbooks. Users are still more accustomed to having their machines running on Windows XP rather than the Open Source Linux and its various distros.
And Microsoft knew this. That’s why it even extended the life of its Windows XP in favor of full roll-out of the Windows Vista. Netbook manufacturers and users rejoiced about this development. Just recently, it even demoed a beta version of its newest OS, Windows 7 on of all machines but a netbook.
It looks like Microsoft is bent on fully tapping into the netbook market. And Linux better watch its back, as users’ preferences for the Windows OS might affect the distribution and use of the Linux OS on netbooks.
So, which do you prefer to have on your netbooks? Windows XP or Linux?
As for me, my Eee PC 701 still runs on Linux and I more than satisfied with it as an OS and sees no possibility of installing Windows XP on it.
If you think that the Asus Eee PC can only run Linux OS and Windows XP, think again. It can also run another OS that goes by the name of Syllable Desktop. Syllable Desktop is OS optimized for desktop computers with east to use graphical work environment. It has high response speed to user input and start up fast.
By using an inventive method of installation since installing the Syllable Dekstop from a USB won’t work, Michael Saunders did an imaging of his Eee drive with a dd utility (from Linux) and installed Syllable using QEmu and then dd’ing the image back to the real drive. I know this may sound techy, but developers would definitely understand how the process work.
Saunders also reports that video, audio, touchpad, USB and battery of the Asus Eee PC after installing the Syllable Desktop, are working pretty fine. But widescreen video and network are not working yet.
So, if you’re looking for an alternative OS to play around with your Asus Eee PC, you may want to give Syllable Desktop a spin. More details here.
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