A small notebook for a system administrator • Hacker News Board

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#161

Post by fuball63 » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:08 PM UTC

yellowapple wrote: post #128

fuball63 wrote: post #26

I recently found my old netbook while going through some stuff. The netbook trend was short lived, but I really like this machine (Acer Aspire One ZG5). Ethernet and card ports, plenty of USBs. And it has VGA, which for some reason I still have more use for than HDMI. They keyboard and mouse were better than my current laptop, a Lenovo Yoga 2 that I can't seem to get the hang of. And it has an Atom processor and real…

"The netbook trend was short lived" It's still ongoing. We just call them Chromebooks nowadays.

Chromebooks don't offer the freedom that a regular netbook does, though. Last time I looked, it seemed like a real pain to get your own OS or dev environment on.

But I agree it's the same concept for what was the original intention of a netbook.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#162

Post by cabalamat » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:11 PM UTC

The folding blinds are a very nice touch.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#163

Post by driverdan » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:11 PM UTC

cik wrote: post #129

Steltek wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> runs Linux perfectly out of the box When did that happen? I admittedly haven't looked in a while but I thought the SP2 had some basic issues with Linux (keyboard docking, wifi; the expected things).

It's all about the latest kernel. I installed Bodhi (Ubuntu derivative, not a fan). Then I added Ubuntu repos and promptly picked everything else up to latest. Admittedly I have a script to allow screen rotation to be gangster, and to pop up a virtual keyboard when I rip off the Surface KB (and hide it when reattached). I consider that 100% working.

> I have a script to allow screen rotation to be gangster

What does that mean? You need to use a script to get it to rotate?

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#164

Post by stephenr » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:12 PM UTC

dalore wrote: post #160

stephenr wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your goal is a portable SSH client, even an original iPad mini with a bluetooth keyboard would be a better option than this thing.

uhnn no? Where is the serial ports etc

What is the purpose of a serial port, If your goal is a portable SSH client?

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#165

Post by deanclatworthy » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:14 PM UTC

Anyone who works in the field or tough conditions just goes for toughbooks. These things can withstand pretty much anything you throw at it.

https://na.panasonic.com/us/computers-tablets-handhelds/comp...

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#166

Post by 5874-4b22-a4e0 » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:17 PM UTC

This looks really good, can I paypal you a preorder deposit for 10 machines?

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#167

Post by eddie_catflap » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:21 PM UTC

I'm in the market for something like this for on call purposes. Something small/light enough to stow in a coat pocket but which has a physical keyboard and enough functionality for me to be able to triage most issues without having to resort to a laptop.

I've been trying the Gemini which almost fits the bill but doesn't quite cut it - the keyboard is OK but not backlit (I didn't think about how often that comes in handy when purchasing). I'll probably try the follow up 'Cosmo' when that comes out.

Would love to see any other suggestions.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#168

Post by sneakernets » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:27 PM UTC

fuball63 wrote: post #158

smacktoward wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have very fond memories of my old Asus Eee PC 1000 netbook (see https://www.computerworld.com/article/2532501/mobile-wireles... ). I miss netbooks. It’s too bad that we let Intel and Microsoft kill them.

I remember when Eee PC's came out and all the buzz about them. What do you mean by Microsoft and Intel killed them? I just assumed it was lack of market interest.

In my experience, they were abruptly killed. I remember when Asus pulled everything days after releasing a new model. Something happened, because I wanted to buy one, and then they mysteriously disappeared. HP is about the only company making them now.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#169

Post by PascLeRasc » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:28 PM UTC

stephenr wrote: post #120

Arnt wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some of us (I assume OP is one of them) think that since your screen won't be large anyway, there is little point to having a screen bigger than your preferred keyboard size. And since your battery won't be large enough to support compiling LLVM in reasonable time anyway, it's better to just get used to do CPU-heavy stuff by ssh-ing to a rackmount somewhere use the laptop for terminal-ish tasks.

If your goal is a portable SSH client, even an original iPad mini with a bluetooth keyboard would be a better option than this thing.

I've been using iSH on the iPhone for my portable SSH client, it works pretty great for server maintenance even with the on-screen keyboard.

https://github.com/tbodt/ish

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#170

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Feb 01, 2019, 5:29 PM UTC

fuball63 wrote: post #158

smacktoward wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have very fond memories of my old Asus Eee PC 1000 netbook (see https://www.computerworld.com/article/2532501/mobile-wireles... ). I miss netbooks. It’s too bad that we let Intel and Microsoft kill them.

I remember when Eee PC's came out and all the buzz about them. What do you mean by Microsoft and Intel killed them? I just assumed it was lack of market interest.

[deleted]