[18:43] <meonkeys> show of hands: how many use ubuntu as their primary desktop?
[18:44]  * seattlegaucho raises his hand
[18:44]  * meonkeys raises his hand
[18:44] <seattlegaucho> mostly "kubuntu", but @ home and work
[18:45] <seattlegaucho> my kids went through HS and going through college with the same choice, unless they own iPods
[19:00] <althara> I did until I upgraded to natty and have no internet connection any more
[19:00] <althara> now I'm back on my windows parition for work
[19:01] <althara> and I use os x at home
[19:02] <meonkeys> oi, internet broke w/natty? bummer.
[19:02] <althara> yep, and the wired net connection port is iffy on this computer
[19:03] <althara> makes me sad
[19:03] <althara> I spent a coule hours trying to get it resolved but then I had to get back to actually working
[19:04] <meonkeys> in case anyone's in the market for a new computer that must be able to run GNU/Linux, check out ZaReason! Those guys rock.
[19:04] <althara> I'm going to buy one from them int he next 6 months or so. Have to save up the monies first.
[19:05] <althara> They had some cool stuff at LinuxFest this year
[19:05] <meonkeys> nod
[19:05] <althara> And their support seems top notch
[19:05] <althara> :)
[19:05] <althara> as valorie can attest to
[19:06] <meonkeys> I got my Dad a nice, quiet little shuttle PC from them, been running great for a couple years or so now.
[19:38] <seattlegaucho> I need to decide between tablet, netbook or laptop for my daughter heading to college
[19:39] <seattlegaucho> it has to be a good compromise of features, light weight, ease of use
[19:44] <althara> which would be best depends very much on how the computer is going to be used
[19:45] <althara> it's a pita to lug a laptop to classes
[19:45] <althara> but much easier to work for hours at a time on a larger computer
[19:45] <althara> larger computer = bigger screen, bigger keyboard
[19:46] <althara> you also need to keep in mind any compatibility requirements for the software/web interfaces used by the college
[19:48] <althara> It also depends on how much abuse the item is going to get.
[19:54] <seattlegaucho> yep ... I had a good experience with another daughter and a netbook
[19:58] <althara> yeah, net books are handy
[20:00] <althara> I'd probably spring for a decent sized moitor and keyboard/mouse for the dorm room too. It makes a pretty big difference in preventing repetative strain injuries.
[21:15] <seattlegaucho> althara ... both live at home where they have a full size computer
[21:16] <seattlegaucho> ... right now I'm inclined to netbook ... I was hoping android tablets would be more advanced, but they're "meh!"  right now
[21:20] <althara> yeah