Dreamlinux is installed on my Asus eeepc netbook this week. Dream Linux is a distribution coming out of Brazil. Dreamlinux is based on Debian Linux which is one of the largest distributions in the world, so compatibility and software repositories is never an issue.

I started out with a Debian net install which went well and everything installed as it was supposed to. Using Debian it was time to start the tinkering. A few years back, no matter what Linux distribution installed, it took some tinkering. The amount of tinkering Debian needed just to get it to the point of being similar to Dreamlinux, made it a no brainer to download Dreamlinux and install it.

I have mentioned before, there are a number of Linux distributions anyone can request, or if you know how to burn an iso, download and burn to cd. These distributions are what is called a ‘live cd’ which means you can boot from the cd. When you boot from the cd, the version of Linux you are trying out loads and runs, and makes no changes to your computer or Windows.

The advantage of live cd’s in my opinion is they are a free try before you buy plan. If you like the cd you are trying out, it is a simple matter to install it to your hard drive. If you do not like the Linux distro you are trying out, you are out a few dollars from the cd request, or the cost of a cd that you burned yourself.

The biggest advantage to using Linux is the amount of software available once you have a distribution installed on your computer. No matter what your interest, or desire, you can bet a programmer somewhere has made a program that meets your needs. I use cd cataloging software, photo cataloging and photo manipulation software. There is even a Photoshop clone, and an Office clone. Most Linux programs are free or donation ware. So if you find you are using a program and a Linux distribution, you are encouraged to send them a few dollars so they can eat dinner the next day.

As for hardware requirements, if it runs windows, it will run at least ten versions of Linux without having to make any changes. Even if you have an old box sitting in the closet, there is a Linux distribution that will bring it back to life, possibly running faster that it did when you retired it.

I went to the Asus eeepc website and see Asus has released a newer lighter laptop. The specs say it has a 10.2 inch display and weighs about 2.5 pounds. Looks like a hit to me, well if I was looking to upgrade my Asus 1000 hd.

Netbooks and Linux were made for each other. If you run windows and are tired of viruses, defragging and general maintenance tinkering, check out a Linux live cd. You may find Linux and you were made for each other. If you are looking for a laptop, check out netbooks. They are not desktop replacements of course, but how often do you need the cd rom, or the horsepower your desktop has?