Hello,

I just got the Efika Smartbook and so far it has been a pleasant experience. However I have some questions:

1. There is no password. I'll like to have the possibility of locking my smartbook. Encryption will be nice.

2. Updates: As far as I know the OS is based on ubuntu but optimized, yet the sources list on apt-get only points to ubuntu repos. How should I do to keep it up to date and to install new software?

3. Desktop: gnome is very cool and all but i will like to have something less mouse dependent, like awesome window manager (will this be possible?)

4. Mousepad: I always tap the mousepad when I press the space bar (I use my right hand for this), is it possible to disable it or set a timeout or something? like if I'm typing ignore the first mouse input?

5. Do you have a recommendation for cases or bags to storage/carry it? I couldn't find anything on your store (bonus business opportunity)

6. Right click: is it possible?

Besides the pdf of the manual (genesi-usa.com) that came with the smartbook, the faq and the start up guide in www.efikamx.info is there any documentation available?

Thanks for your time!

Hi Paco,

To answer your questions....

1) The password is/should be set up by you the first time you set it up. You should be able to turn on the password prompt when the screensaver kicks in by going to System->Preferences->Screensaver (choose Lock screen) The system also asks you if you'd like to encrypt your home directory as the step when you enter your name, computer name, username, password, and other options (like login automatically, require password, or encrypt home directory (encrypting home directory requires you enable require password))

2) Updates are pushed out via packages.efikamx.info; this should be listed in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/packages.efikamx.info.conf (I believe is the file name, I'm not near my Ubuntu smartbook at the moment) Updating it is the same as on any other Ubuntu machine, when updates show up, the Update Manager pops up, or you can run apt-get update && apt-get upgrade. Please note that currently we're based off Maverick which doesn't get updates as often, except for security updates.

3) Gnome was chosen for it's user-friendliness. You can use whatever you prefer, however you will need to ask on the forums if something doesn't work, and hopefully someone can assist. We do all of our testing on a Gnome based system because that's what we decided to officially support.

4) Unfortunately, there is no way to disable tapping while typing.

5) We are working on getting some things available. I personally use a bag that I picked up at the local Wal*Mart near where I was living for 20 bucks (any 10" netbook case will work); Mine is a Wenger/Swiss Gear. It's at least a year old now, and looks as new as the day I got it. ( http://www.walmart.com/ip/Swiss-Gear-Le ... e/16685819 is the exact one I got, but it looks like the price dropped to 14 and it's not available online. If you happen to live near a Wal*Mart they might have one in stock, but really, anything 10" will work) (While I work for Genesi, that isn't an official endorsement, it's just my own personal one. This is a sleeve more than a case, so you wouldn't be carrying the smartbook and it's AC adapter in it.

6) If you look at the trackpad, there are 2 white "tack" marks on it, the one on the right side is the right click.

What type of documentation are you looking for? If it's just a general Linux type, then most things from websites work (just keep in mind that this is an ARM processor and not x86/x86_64, so some applications might not work the same!)

_________________
Steev Klimaszewski, Genesi USA Inc.
Senior Software Engineer

Hello Steev,

Thanks for your reply.

I have /etc/apt/sources.list.d/packages.efikamx.info.list file but I also have mentions to http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports/ on /etc/apt/sources.list

When I do apt-get update it fetchs from efikamx.info as well as ports.ubuntu.com, should I comment all the ports.ubuntu.com entries or is it safe to use it?

Regards

Hi.

It's perfectly normal that it exists, and it should be there. General software comes from there, only Genesi specific drivers etc. come from the efikamx.info source.


Johan.

_________________
Johan Dams, Genesi USA Inc.
Director, Software Engineering

Yep, I have a blog... PurpleAlienPlanet

I got an HP-Mini NetBook case. Fits perfectly and has pockets on the outside. I put the spare battery and a pen in the large pocket and a 7 port USB hub in one of the small pockets (when I get a mini mouse it will probably go in the other).

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--

Science, n. Investigation of natural phenomena.
Engineering, n. Domestication of natural phenomena.
Technology, n. Domesticated natural phenomena.

--

\"It is essential for automatic computation that, instead of containing every single instruction necessary to carry out the program, the coded program include methods for generating instructions which are needed to carry out the program. ... One measure of the extent to which an automatic digital computer is used effectively is given by the ratio of the number of instructions formed in the machine to that of the instructions inserted into the machine initially.\" Mathematical Machines Volume I Digital Computers ©1961 Francis J. Murray

If so, then why is this ratio zero on most modern computer software?