I am typing this on my Eeepc using a great Ubuntu Linux child distribution. This Linux distribution is the latest release from Eeebuntu.org, and is a derivative of Ubuntu’s 9.04 release. I wrote in a post on July 28, 09 about playing around with different Linux distributions late at night and losing the Windows loader in my Grub configuration.
If you are interested in the inner workings of your Linux distribution, it is possible, maybe even easy to edit your Grub configuration file. I am not that driven. So as I mentioned, while installing Ubuntu when it set up Grub, it placed the Windows loader back in the file. It was a lot simpler than getting out the Windows CD and going through the steps of rewriting Windows boot loader to the hard drive master boot record sector of my hard drive.
Eeebuntu is a distribution optimized for Netbooks. My particular Netbook is an Asus 1000HD. It is almost the same as a normal laptop but has a smaller physical size. Ubuntu and Eeebutnu sound pretty similar too. As they are parent and child there is not a lot of general differences between the two *buntu’s.
From Eeebuntu's wiki
What is different in Eeebuntu is the Linux Kernel is optimized for Netbooks. There is also correct screen size options, and a few other modifications. otherwise both *buntu’s are identical. Eeebuntu shares those thousands of programs that are contained in Ubuntu’s repositories. If none of those programs work, like any other Linux there are ways to add almost any program made for Linux, and perhaps a few that are not.
I switched to Eeebuntu because I had the option of downloading and installing a base system. A base install has most extra programs I do not use removed. I went to the Eeebuntu forum and found if I wanted to, someone posted a how to on removing even more programs and files that are not really needed. Saving space is not that important to me so I will let them stay.
One of the great things about Linux rather than Windows is with Linux you have complete control over what is on your computer, and what your computer does. Windows arrives, or is installed on your computer as a complete package. If you do not want a program that is part of the base package, you have no choice but to leave it on your hard drive and not use it. With Linux, if you do not want a certain program installed on your computer, you have the option of removing a program entirely or substituting another program in its place. That is the beauty of Linux.
Eeebuntu having a base edition install option does exactly that without me having to remove programs I do not want. I did select and install programs that I want to use. What this does in addition to having choices, and a smaller portion of my hard disk being used by my operating system is having less programs I do not use on my computer.
With Eeebuntu Base, any Netbook can become a light use business machine, social site based computer, web page design tool, game machine, or any of the uses people use their computer for.
Eeebuntu also has a standard version containing Open Office, and other commonly used programs. If neither of those choices fit your needs, there is also a Netbook remix edition which changes the look of your desktop, and how you interact with your computer.
Eeebuntu like Ubuntu itself is one of the most user friendly Linux distributions around. I would suggest you are comfortable partitioning your hard drive and doing manual hard drive partitioning for your install. If you let the install do the work, it may make changes to your hard drive you do not want.
If you have a Netbook and bounce around with Linux distributions trying to find one that works best, give Eeebuntu a go. It is as modern as the newest Ubuntu, as simple as can be to install, backed by the Ubuntu repositories and forums, plus the Eeebuntu forum , and Wiki.
The Eeebuntu Wiki has an install video and written step by step install instructions. The video is a good start and is more beginner support than some other operating systems may boast of having. Give Eeebuntu Linux a go on your Netbook and find out how much fun computing can really be when you use an OS dsigned for Netbooks!
