My DIY Twitter Client via FireFox

When I XP-fied my Eee PC, one of the things I *avoid* doing is install non-essential apps to it to preserve my 1Gb+ free storage. To do this, I used PortableApps from the external SD card but not all the things I want to use are available as a portable application... one of them is a Twitter application.

Anyway, having tried using the mobile version of Twitter on my iPhone, I tried adding a new sidebar panel on FireFox Portable with the url http://m.twitter.com/ and it worked! Now I uninstalled Twhirl and Adobe Air and is now using my twitter sidebar most of the time.


ADDENDUM:
There is a question in the comments section on how I "detached" my sidebar from Firefox. I did it by installing a Firefox add-on called EZ-Sidebar.

Bullet-point Review: The Axioo Classmate PC

• It looks like the Neo Xplore X1.
• Unlike the Neo Xplore X1, the Axioo Classmate PC doesn't have a traditional hard drive, opting for a meager 2GB SSD.
• It has PCLinuxOS preinstalled which I find rather difficult to work with.
• In preinstalled Linux is full-blown -- too many apps installed.
• The integrated graphics processor is powerful enough to run Compiz Fusion with relative ease.
• It does look like a kid's lunchbox when closed.
• It is difficult to use on a WPA-encrypted wireless network but a breeze to use on an unprotected wifi network.
• Its ethernet connection is also relatively easy to configure.
• Plays stunning video -- provided the video file is of high quality too. :)
• The keyboard has a better feel than the keyboard of the Eee PC. However, it only has one [Shift] key, making touch typing a chore.
• No integrated webcam (as if I use my Eee PC's integrated webcam...).
• Integrated speakers are barely audible.
• The package I got doesn't have a restore CD, which will make it difficult to restore in case something goes wrong with the OS.
• Driver download from the web seems to be non-existent (I can be wrong here) making a DIY upgrade to WinXP an impossibility (for now).
• Should be good enough if a user only intends to do web surfing, emailing and 'light' document writing.
• I'd be laughed out of the conference room if I decide to bring this to a meeting.
• The SD/MMC card slot is at the back of the unit, making it a chore to install/swap cards.
• It only has two USB ports available.

More later...

My Eee PC has VD!

Well, VD, in this case means Virtual Desktop (gotcha!).

When I went "Philistine" and installed Windows XP on my Eee, one of the things I missed was the virtual desktop that was built in to Eee's bundled Xandros Linux. Well, when I downloaded TweakUI Powertoy from Microsoft, I noticed an application called "Virtual Desktop Manager". I downloaded it (its quite small) and installed it. At first I was sort of lost on how to use it -- it turns out that you'll have to do a right-click on the Windows Taskbar and choose the virtual desktop manager from the toolbar submenu.

Anyway, I was able to activate it and it seems to work well.

Now I can organize my running apps more efficiently and I also have an additional eye-candy which I can show my non-geek friends.

Acer Aspire "One"

Hot on the heels of Dell's entry to the ULPC niche comes Acer's Aspire One. Both ULPC is expected to make an appearance next week at Computex. [from umpcportal]

Dell-icious ULPC from... Dell

Gizmodo was able to snag an exclusive photo of Dell's entry to the ULPC (Ultra Low-cost PC) niche and it looks absolutely Dell-icious!

I hope this is not one of Gizmodo's infamous practical jokes...

Via OpenBook: If At First You Don't Succeed

When Asus announced their popular Eee PC, Via Technologies followed suit with their own NanoBook reference design. Despite their similarities, the Eee PC succeeded while the NanoBook came out as a"2nd rate trying hard copycat" and the dismal reviews for Via's "baby" did not help at all.

Now, it looks like Via wants to have a second shot at the niche created by the Eee PC by releasing the OpenBook reference design website. This new design's specs are quite impressive on paper and should they pull this off at the current $400 price of similarly designed computers, Via may have a winner here.

Here's hoping...

CDisplayEx on Eee

I was a a bit bored and decided to read some comicbooks... on my Eee. I used CDisplayEx and the reading experience is pretty good!