Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

There’s been a lot of talk about the Asus EeePC lately, the £169 (£199) mini laptop running Linux. This has been partly driven by the fact that RM, is distributing it to UK education. The price, size and the fact it is running Linux, is all part of the excitement.

I must admit I got mine on Tuesday having ordered before Christmas. Having ordered a white one, I was rung up on Monday, and asked whether I would like the last one they had in stock, but it was black. I said OK, and on Wednesday went off to a series on meetings for the rest of the week to find out how it performed.

Despite the shortage of supply, these things seem to be appearing everywhere and with more than just mine present at every meeting. Indeed on Thursday, at a Becta workshop, for the first time ever in my experience there were more Linux machines around the table taking notes than any other OS including Windows!

What does this tell me?

1. Size and convenience is a big factor when you are mobile, but a true laptop that has all applications is preferable to something like a PDA;
2. the OS is totally irrelevant, as long as the machine is easy to use and files are compatible;
3. people like to show new toys to each other, but more than one means swift adoption - the price here is a factor as it’s cheap enough to try.

Time will tell whether the number of these machines at meetings I attend rises, falls or stays the same. I’ll be counting to see if early adopting turns into a trend, and whether the more expensive Windows version, when it becomes available, will prove my second point wrong. (BTW the manual gives instructions on how to install Windows XP if you have a legal copy to hand.)

Image credit: Matt Westervelt

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