Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM, Joe O'Dell joseph.od...@googlemail.com wrote: That would be good for the silver surfers that struggle with computers, and it promotes linux at the same time! I can't wait to see when this comes out - It looks as if you get a USB Key that enables you to log into your desktop from any other Alex machine. Now that is a good idea, but what happens when you don't have an Alex machine? (Although it is a laptop, so you can carry it around with you!) Thanks for pointing that out Johnathon! I think it's not so specifically aimed at seniors or older users. If you want a Linux box for that, you could do worse than Simplicity... :¬) http://www.simplicity_computers.co.uk/ (Disclaimer: I'm involved with said company...) -- Liam Proven • Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/liamproven Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lpro...@gmail.com Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 • Cell: +44 7939-087884 • Fax: + 44 870-9151419 AOL/AIM/iChat/Yahoo/Skype: liamproven • LiveJournal/Twitter: lproven MSN: lpro...@hotmail.com • ICQ: 73187508 -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
That would be good for the silver surfers that struggle with computers, and it promotes linux at the same time! I can't wait to see when this comes out - It looks as if you get a USB Key that enables you to log into your desktop from any other Alex machine. Now that is a good idea, but what happens when you don't have an Alex machine? (Although it is a laptop, so you can carry it around with you!) Thanks for pointing that out Johnathon! Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:10, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iEYEARECAAYFAkt+Y5wACgkQ81bUwCB/xdiEAgCfTzSyDZODyyRrQ+G5WtBuBoJR adwAn2tN7PGpqM1xyUb92s9PPE5FJDOM =6kNC -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
I think it's a nice idea but given that the business is obviously based around the support services, it strikes me they're charging too much for the initial payment for the laptop. Just a thought. Cheers Bruce On 19 February 2010 10:10, Johnathon Tinsley kir...@kirrus.co.uk wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iEYEARECAAYFAkt+Y5wACgkQ81bUwCB/xdiEAgCfTzSyDZODyyRrQ+G5WtBuBoJR adwAn2tN7PGpqM1xyUb92s9PPE5FJDOM =6kNC -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
My concern would be where I stood should the folks doing Alex go out of business... as everything seems to be stored online, what happens then??? Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19/02/10 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: snip / Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) It isn't MSO. Nor is it OpenOffice.org. They use a product called Softmaker (http://www.softmaker.com/english/). Or at least they did when we helped them do their trial in 2007/8... The computer was running a custom OS built on Java IIRC. The product is aimed directly at Popey's mum Daily Mail readers ;-) Al -- The Open Learning Centre http://www.theopenlearningcentre.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno No, im not sure they do. It's ~£40 a month for the service, which I think is ridiculous. Especially as broadband is £15 a month. Hmm... we shall see how this goes.. Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Exactly my point and before you even get there, you pay £300 + for the laptop. A little bit like paying the SIM-free price for a phone and still buying into the full cost of the contract with the network. I applaud their effort but if they're going to copy the mobile networks' business model, then copy it - get the laptop for free (or heavily discounted) and put everything into the support services. I still like the basic concept but it seems they're trying to recoup too much of their initial costs right from the start which makes me think they haven't much of a reserve as it is. And like Sean mentioned, what if they go out of business? It's not like the demographic they're aiming at would be able to simply install their own OS of choice. On 19 February 2010 11:27, Joe O'Dell joseph.od...@googlemail.com wrote: Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno No, im not sure they do. It's ~£40 a month for the service, which I think is ridiculous. Especially as broadband is £15 a month. Hmm... we shall see how this goes.. Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Its a good idea, but I dont think someone would be able to meet this cost on the average pension. I dont think its a good way to advertise Linux to the masses myself it might give the illusion that its more expensive to have a linux PC. Good point about the data side of this, id rather keep my own data thanks. Mark On 19 February 2010 11:53, Bruce Beardall bruc...@gmail.com wrote: Exactly my point and before you even get there, you pay £300 + for the laptop. A little bit like paying the SIM-free price for a phone and still buying into the full cost of the contract with the network. I applaud their effort but if they're going to copy the mobile networks' business model, then copy it - get the laptop for free (or heavily discounted) and put everything into the support services. I still like the basic concept but it seems they're trying to recoup too much of their initial costs right from the start which makes me think they haven't much of a reserve as it is. And like Sean mentioned, what if they go out of business? It's not like the demographic they're aiming at would be able to simply install their own OS of choice. On 19 February 2010 11:27, Joe O'Dell joseph.od...@googlemail.com wrote: Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno No, im not sure they do. It's ~£40 a month for the service, which I think is ridiculous. Especially as broadband is £15 a month. Hmm... we shall see how this goes.. Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19/02/2010 12:16, Markie wrote: Its a good idea, but I dont think someone would be able to meet this cost on the average pension. I dont think its a good way to advertise Linux to the masses myself it might give the illusion that its more expensive to have a linux PC. Good point about the data side of this, id rather keep my own data thanks. Mark On 19 February 2010 11:53, Bruce Beardall bruc...@gmail.com mailto:bruc...@gmail.com wrote: Exactly my point and before you even get there, you pay £300 + for the laptop. A little bit like paying the SIM-free price for a phone and still buying into the full cost of the contract with the network. I applaud their effort but if they're going to copy the mobile networks' business model, then copy it - get the laptop for free (or heavily discounted) and put everything into the support services. I still like the basic concept but it seems they're trying to recoup too much of their initial costs right from the start which makes me think they haven't much of a reserve as it is. And like Sean mentioned, what if they go out of business? It's not like the demographic they're aiming at would be able to simply install their own OS of choice. On 19 February 2010 11:27, Joe O'Dell joseph.od...@googlemail.com mailto:joseph.od...@googlemail.com wrote: Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno No, im not sure they do. It's ~£40 a month for the service, which I think is ridiculous. Especially as broadband is £15 a month. Hmm... we shall see how this goes.. Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc http://bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org http://dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/275890/broadband-computer-co-alex Just found that too, haven't had time to read it all yet however. James -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
The BBC seem to have the costs all wrong. The web site today says that it costs £10 per month for the basic service, or £25 per month with broadband thrown in. It is cheaper if you buy it yearly. This sounds much more reasonable. I expect the ALEX people are really unhappy about this free publicity. Barry On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 12:16 +, Markie wrote: Its a good idea, but I dont think someone would be able to meet this cost on the average pension. I dont think its a good way to advertise Linux to the masses myself it might give the illusion that its more expensive to have a linux PC. Good point about the data side of this, id rather keep my own data thanks. Mark On 19 February 2010 11:53, Bruce Beardall bruc...@gmail.com wrote: Exactly my point and before you even get there, you pay £300 + for the laptop. A little bit like paying the SIM-free price for a phone and still buying into the full cost of the contract with the network. I applaud their effort but if they're going to copy the mobile networks' business model, then copy it - get the laptop for free (or heavily discounted) and put everything into the support services. I still like the basic concept but it seems they're trying to recoup too much of their initial costs right from the start which makes me think they haven't much of a reserve as it is. And like Sean mentioned, what if they go out of business? It's not like the demographic they're aiming at would be able to simply install their own OS of choice. On 19 February 2010 11:27, Joe O'Dell joseph.od...@googlemail.com wrote: Unfortunate use of the word expensive here. I assume they mean expansive with an 'a'. Bruno No, im not sure they do. It's ~£40 a month for the service, which I think is ridiculous. Especially as broadband is £15 a month. Hmm... we shall see how this goes.. Regards, --- Joe O'Dell Fedora Contributor (FreeMedia) http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur bedsLUG Co-Ordinator bedslug.co.cc DFEY Member (SouthEast) dfey.org Ubuntu-UK Group Member (ascenseur) https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JoeODell On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: On Fri, 2010-02-19 at 10:10 +, Johnathon Tinsley wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Anyone seen this? Looks interesting.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm Very interesting indeed. It's a shame that the article looks a bit clobbered together in 5 minutes and contains some very confusing sentences: As well as communication tools such as e-mail, Alex comes loaded with a suite of open office software including a Microsoft version of Excel and read-only PowerPoint. Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) Alex is trying to do three things: win new people over to the internet, introduce a new - and more expensive - way of using computers, and take on the might of Microsoft -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Barry Titterton wrote: The BBC seem to have the costs all wrong. The web site today says that it costs £10 per month for the basic service, or £25 per month with broadband thrown in. It is cheaper if you buy it yearly. This sounds much more reasonable. I expect the ALEX people are really unhappy about this free publicity. Barry £25 per month isn't too bad, I presume that has some sort of limits to it, but then again I guess the sort of people that the company is targeting would not be heavy downloaders anyway so maybe 2 or 3GB allowance a month might be more than enough. If it was £40 a month, then um... that would seem a bit steep to me unless you got the machine as part of that. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Bruce Beardall wrote: I think it's a nice idea but given that the business is obviously based around the support services, it strikes me they're charging too much for the initial payment for the laptop. Just a thought. Cheers Bruce I'd agree, for £400 I'd expect more than what they're offering: Clevo M760T Laptop CPU Intel® Celeron processor T1600 Core logic Intel® GM45 + ICH9M Display 15.4” WXGA (1280X800) TFT LCD Memory 1Gb RAM Video controller Intel GMA 4500MHD Storage 120Gb Hard disk drive Built-in 10/100/1000 MB Base-TX Ethernet LAN Wireless LAN AzureWave – AW –GU701 1.3M pixels Video camera with USB interface 6 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack 4000mAh / DVD+/-RW For that sort of money someone could go down to PC World or Currys, buy a laptop with a quicker processor and more memory complete with Windows 7, be badgered into buying Norton Internet Security and Office 2007 Home Student with the 'TechGuys' phone and internet support bundled in. Still fair play to them if they can pull it off. I wonder what the underlying distro is, and if they will release the interface under an open source license? Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19/02/2010 18:37, Rob Beard wrote: I wonder what the underlying distro is, and if they will release the interface under an open source license? Rob Somehow I doubt it: http://www.welcometoalex.com/page/alextermandconditions.cfm Check under the You May Not section... *You may not:* Make copies of the accompanying documentation; SubLicence, rent or lease any portion of the Software or accompanying documentation; or *Reverse-engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify, translate, make any attempt to discover the source code of the Software, or create derivative works from the software* James -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
Alan Lord (News) wrote: On 19/02/10 10:59, Bruno Girin wrote: snip / Er... does it means that it comes with MS Excel or with an alternative (such as Open Office)? Because I'm at a loss as to what a Microsoft version of Excel is as I wasn't aware of any other version of Excel :-) It isn't MSO. Nor is it OpenOffice.org. They use a product called Softmaker (http://www.softmaker.com/english/). Or at least they did when we helped them do their trial in 2007/8... The computer was running a custom OS built on Java IIRC. The product is aimed directly at Popey's mum Daily Mail readers ;-) Al Having watched the introductory video, I think this sort of thing would be ideal for my Mum Step-Dad who are both computer illiterate. However as they live so close I think I'd probably build them a PC from components and support it myself and save them some money. I could certainly see the point though for someone say who has relatives who live say on the other side of the country and don't know anything about computers who want something simple. Certainly looks good with a fairly clear interface, but I'm not sure of their claim of it being a computer for life, especially considering how quickly things change. It also says you can buy additional 'latch key subscriptions' from them for other members of the family, so I wonder if that means you have to pay an additional £10 a month for each 'latch key'. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19/02/10 18:56, Rob Beard wrote: snip / Certainly looks good with a fairly clear interface, but I'm not sure of their claim of it being a computer for life, especially considering how quickly things change. One of the interesting aspects of the design (if it's similar to what we saw a couple of years ago) is that it is all centralised, so they can update the OS remotely adding new features etc. As the OS, UI *and* all applications are in their control they can manage hardware resources etc. Obviously it isn't going to be suited to the people who lurk on this mailing list, but there is a market for something like this I'm sure. Whether Alex is the right one/right pricing model remains to be seen... Al -- The Open Learning Centre http://www.theopenlearningcentre.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19 Feb 2010 at 18:51, James Milligan wrote: On 19/02/2010 18:37, Rob Beard wrote: I wonder what the underlying distro is, and if they will release the interface under an open source license? Rob Somehow I doubt it: http://www.welcometoalex.com/page/alextermandconditions.cfm Check under the You May Not section... *You may not:* Make copies of the accompanying documentation; SubLicence, rent or lease any portion of the Software or accompanying documentation; or *Reverse-engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify, translate, make any attempt to discover the source code of the Software, or create derivative works from the software* If this really is Linux - isn't this contrary to the GPL license? Tony -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On 19 February 2010 23:46, Tony Pursell a...@princeswalk.fsnet.co.uk wrote: If this really is Linux - isn't this contrary to the GPL license? They seem to have their own app on top of Linux, and as such they can license it as they see fit. Cheers, Al. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Alex (laptop, not person)
On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 7:47 PM, Alan Lord (News) alansli...@gmail.com wrote: One of the interesting aspects of the design (if it's similar to what we saw a couple of years ago) is that it is all centralised, so they can update the OS remotely adding new features etc. As the OS, UI *and* all applications are in their control they can manage hardware resources etc. As I said earlier, this is the bit that scares me. What is going to happen if the company decides its time has come and moves on? Or goes out of business??? At the moment, I can buy a second-hand laptop on e-bay of 1999 vintage and it still works as it was intended to do. Add a PCMCIA wireless card, download an up-to-date browser and it is useful if not cutting edge... what will these Alex laptops be doing in 11 years time?? Will they even function?!?!? Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
