Zeta OS

I have long had a soft spot for BeOS, but have not been able to get a net connection since moving to broadband. I have tried Zeven OS, a Ubuntu based distro with a BeOS look, but did not find it felt like BeOS. Recently I bought a live disc containing Zeta OS 1.21 from Germany. Zeta OS was developed by Magussoft using BeOS until the project stopped in 2007.

First impressions of Zeta were good, it looked and responded like BeOS, and was a pleasure to use. For browsing there is the original BeOS NetPositive browser, and Zetas own version of Firefox 2.0. NetPositive was fun to use, but like many older browsers would not open some modern sites, including Blogger. Firefox worked like...Firefox.

Identification of Zeta-

1. Using this blog and Zeta/Firefox:

ShinyStat - Firefox/BeOS
BraveNet - Firefox 2.0 / XP
OneStat - Mozila / Other
BelStat - ?
SiteMeter - Firefox / Unknown
StatCounter - Firefox / Unknown
GoStats - Firefox / BeOS
24Log - Firefox 2 / BeOS
Extremetracking - Firefox / BeOS
Motigo - Firefox / BeOS

2. Zeta / NetPositive:

SiteMeter - Netscape 3 / Unknown
Extremetracking - Other / BeOS
OneStat - Netscape 3 / Other

Exalead Boost for Konqueror

I like Opera best.....but I'm also fond of Konqueror - although I find the fact Konqueror is only available on KDE detracts from its apeal, as does being identified as Netscape by OneStat. I have now found a way to use Opera on whichever OS you chose, and still boost Konquerors usage at the same time!

I have used Exalead search on and off for a while. I have also noticed that many Konqueror hits come from France. Eventually, the penny dropped tc-gw.exabot.com, using Linux/Konqueror, is the Exalead bot collecting the preview images when you search using Exalead. Thus, browse with Opera, search with Exalead, increases the hit level for both browsers!

extremetracking.comn Now Recognises Opera Mini

A new month a new improved Extreme Tracking. Extreme Tracking used to count Opera Mini as Opera 9, but now it is recognised as Opera Mini. Also, Opera 10 now has the Opera Logo, for some reason it was shown without a logo.

Microsoft - More Anti-Competitive Practices

Microsoft using its position to stifle competition again?  The MSi u114 netbook has hybrid storage  (HDD and SSD), hence you could have the installed Windows XP on one, and the purchaser could put Linux on the other. Microsoft is demanding that MSi withdraw the machine by the end of June. Microsoft has virtually killed off linux on the netbook, a computer format that only exists because Linux made it possible, yet Microsoft still is not happy that there is still a little potential competition.

Update

Apricot Picobook Pro netbook

A few weeks ago I took delivery of an Apricot Picobook Pro netbook. I bought this computer as a device for occasional use away from the home, i.e. quick e-mail check when camping etc. At home I have several desktops, which are mainly salvaged machines, but they serve me adequately. Hence, I opted for this portable  8.9" machine, with reasonable specs.

Installing Opera.

The first thing I do with any computer, whose operating system does not already include it, is to install Opera (my favourite web browser). Flash (9 r124) and Java work straight from the box. I loaded up Firefox, and downloaded Opera 9.64. I tried to install Opera but the program manager would not work. I then had to register SUSE Linux Enterprise with Novel, before I could get on with adapting the machine to my liking. I have installed Open Suse on a machine for a friend, and found Novels almost proprietary software registration annoying. The range of software included is good, and it did not need a lot of supplementation. 

Day To Day Usage.

At first I found the mouse pad and keys difficult to use because I am not used to laptop use, but they became practical. The keyboard is small but works, and I do not find it to hard to use even with my large hands. Using a USB mouse alleviates any problems. The wifi search seems to find wireless networks without any problem. Everything works well, with the exception of the webcam which does not seem to have any software – I'll sort that out someday. Boots up, closes down without any crashes in-between. I did have one question, which I guessed the answer too, but e-mailed Apricot support rather than work it out – they replied within the day. Although there is not a CD drive my USB CD drive allows me to play cds and boot up with other live distros (runs great with Puppy Pups). Battery life about three hours constant surfing.

Never having had a netbook before it has found new uses I had not expected. The other day it was a photo album which was passed around relatives, just as you would with a hard copy album. Although I have not used it yet, the SD card reader is a nice addition to the Pico.

All in all the Suse based Apricot Picobook Pro netbook/sub laptop is a practical portable machine which is well built and well worth its purchase price.

PS I have been using it with a USB keyboard and VGA connector / standard CRT monitor, and the Via chip works plenty fast enough for day to day desktop computing.

Nintendo DSi Browser

I have always liked the idea of browsing on the Nintendo DS, alas the browsing experience on the DS Lite was not brilliant, and so ours was hardly used, even though it was quite an expensive add on. The browser was slow, crashed our router, and often just refused to load.

On the 3rd of April the DSi will be released in the UK. The DSi comes with a version of Opera already installed. This is good because as an integral part of the machine it means that Nintindo have had to take the browsing experience more seriously. This article talks about the development of the DSi browser. 

Hopefully this time browsing on the DS will be the joy it should have always been.

New Counter - ShinyStat

I have always like the look of the ShinyStat counter - although it does seem a little awkard to get detailed information (once the icon has been clicked, you need to click the "Visits+" icon to get additional information). In the free version you get:

Page views
Visits per hour
Visits per week
Browser
Operating systems
Colors/Resolutions
Total referrer
Search engines
Search keywords
Sites
Countries

Additional options are available with paid versions.

ShinyStat certainly looks good, over time I'll see how it performs.