Samsung Q1 and Linux

I'm not using the Samsung Q1 with the Celeron processor as a primary computer any more. In fact, I almost sold it. All this talk of the EEE PC, the HP Mini Note, and MIDS got me to wondering about the feasibility of using Linux in a small companion device. I haven't had any experience with Linux before, so not that tax season is over, I figure it's time to do some experimentation with the Samsung Q1.

I started with some great instructions:

Annelyle.com

and

Have a Peek

and some words of encouragement from Kevin Tofel and Thoughtfix

Installation of Ubuntu 7.10 went well. I chose to wipe out the entire XP installation and go all Linux on this box for now. I connected the Samsung USB Keyboard/Mouse for the install and afterwards WIFI and the 800x480 screen resolution worked right out of the box. Not working? Touchscreen! I didn't really plan on inking or handwriting on the Q1 with Linux, but I hope to be able to use touch to enter onscreen keyboard input or make menu selections. According to the links above, it can be done. I just haven't figured out how!

This all brings up the point about why Linux hasn't caught on more (IMHO). When I first started working with PC's back in 1984, everything was entered at the command line, but Windows and OSX have spoiled me and it's been a long time since I had to type commands at a prompt to do something on a computer. Lately, I've been learning a bit of UNIX command stuff to use in Terminal on the Mac, so that was a good start. But, LINUX is going to remain a niche product if consumers have to type commands at a prompt in 2008. At least that's my opinion.

Well, I'll report more later on this experiment of taking a fully functional Windows XP tablet computer and turning into a quasi-functional Linux MID. Who said things have to make sense!