Tour of OS: Jolicloud A liberation for netbooks

Jolicloud is a version of the Linux operating system specifically tailored for netbooks and ultra portable laptops. Much like every incarnation of Linux it is 100% free and a breeze to install.

PROS:

I have been using Jolicloud for about a week non stop and I have to say it is a real joy to have on a computer with space issues. When installing it gives you the option of literally being able to choose how much hard drive space you want it to take up. There were no drivers to install, nor do we need to “find hardware”, no endless dialogues of click yes to continue. It also was much eerier to install on a netbook with a solid state drive (Frankly Windows 7 errored out continuously).

You do not know fast until Jolicloud: My testing medium was a Dell Mini 9 with a 32 Gb RunCore solid state drive and the max amount of RAM (2Gb). Originally i was running Windows XP on it but I will never go back after experiencing Joliclouds’ speed and responsiveness. Chrome seemed to appear before I let go of the mouse button and everything in the OS seemed to flow much better than XP.

Jolicloud does Apps: In an effort to remove the Linux stigma of “you must use command line for everything” Jilocloud introduces an “App store” where programs and web applications can be downloaded. Though much of them are simple launchable links to a website, it provides a good sense of familiarity with .exe files and phone apps we have all come to know and love.

Did I mention it is Open Source and free?: Jolicloud is open source which by it’s very definition means it is constantly in development and refinement. You don’t have to wait for service packs and monthly updates to get fixes and new features. It seems almost daily I get at least one update. You also get the added bonus of paying nothing for the operating system.

CONS:

Joliclouds’ netbook desktop: when you install Jolicloud the first time you are greeted with a desktop area that tries to mimic the launcher of a phone OS. Things are sorted into categories and you click a category to find and launch an application. This was the first thing I turned off. If I wanted to use a phone OS, I would use my phone. Losing the familiarity of a desktop area made the OS seem foreign to me. I found myself trying to remember what category I left Twitter in rather than leaving it on the desktop. Fortunately Jolicloud has a setting to disable that desktop and leave you with a standard desktop look/feel.

Apps! Or are they apps?: While it is nice to have a one click launcher that will take me to something (Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, etc.) they are nothing more than a self launcher to a URL. I found myself just using my already open browser. It is a clever trick to making the UI more attractive but after a few hours of working with it you do rally see it is nothing more than a gimmick.

Like it or not you must tweak: being that this a version of Linux you have the ability to tweak anything, and you will. My first 6 hours of using Jolicloud? Spent tweaking the desktop area, 3d animation support, taskbars, installing apps. Any time I wanted to change something I could, but it came with the issue of how much do i have to do to get this the way i want it?

You shall never escape Terminal… You hear me? NEVER!!!: Along the lines of tweaking you will inevitably end up having to install, and or run some command lines to do so. While it was real neat to go back to the days of DOS it was a major turn off for me. I use a GUI for the Graphic part, not so i can run command lines from a window.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Jolicloud while it comes with its set of baggage, is a pretty nice operating system for this of us who are looking for a free alternative for a netbook. I very much recommend you try it out if you are not afraid ti roll up your sleeves and get into the guts of the operating system, but i do not if you are just looking fir something that works.

Some screenshots:

This is the “App store” where all your dreams can come true… If your dreams are about apps.

More of the Apps store

This is the launcher desktop you start off with.

And your normal desktop once you ditch the launcher

Announcing the Tour of OS Series!

I have decided in July, rather than make a bumch of unrelated posts, I will instead  do a series of opining on some of the OS’ that are available today. I will not be covering every single OS on the market (too many Linux!), but will be spending around a week immersed and only using one at a time. I will be covering:

Mac OS X

Jolicloud (Linux netbook OS)

Windows 7

iOS 3 (for Ipad)

Android 2.1

Windows Phone 7 (if it ever is released)

This will be a simple pro/con explanation and I hope it will serve to inform everyone about the different types of OS’ that are out there for your computer and phone.

Dropbox: For those of us tired of the thumbdrive

You are rushing into a class with a truly amazing presentation ready to go. You arrive to the classroom to find your students abuzz with energy. You quickly move over to the classroom computer, login and reach into your bag/pocket for your thumbdrive to find… nothing. Many of us have had this situation happen, both faculty and students alike. While Google Docs has provided one solution/backup to this problem, I have started using a new service called Dropbox which in many ways is superior for storage.

Rider University Media Services has the Kodak Zi8 for rental!

For years students have been able to borrow (rent) cameras for school use. At Westminster this is a major operation with students recording recitals, rehearsals etc. We have been using Mini DV tape camcorders up until this summer. While they served us well for a long time, OIT began a search for a better alternative. After some testing we have received a shipment of Kodak Zi8 SD card camcorders for use through the summer and into the fall.

Video recording lessons: A few ideas

I have spent the last few years of my life working in the media services department of OIT at the Westminster Campus. Westminster is a very unique school in that it is all music. Period. You have three principal instruments (voice, piano, and organ) and every major the college offers is based around those principles. One of the major questions I am always asked here is, “How do I video record my lessons for my students to watch and evaluate?” With digital recording becoming more and more prevalent there are a now a multitude of options for each professor to look into.

The iPad: Do I need one, and what does it do exactly?

In case you have been living under a rock for the past few months Apple has released a new tablet “computer” called the iPad. Since then we have heard a lot of hype surrounding it, (It is a revolutionary device! It is a magical technology! It can make you literally fly! It will save us all! just to list a few) and a lot of negativity (It’s an iPod touch for full figured people, no Flash support, limited ports). I have had the chance to work with one for some time now and would like to talk about what  was good and bad about it.

Greetings!

Hi. My name is Shaun Holland and I am a new edition to the Viewtorial blog and the Rider University Instructional Technology department. I wanted to take an opportunity to introduce myself since I will be making a lot of blog posts at Viewtorial in the coming months. While I am a new edition to the Instructional Tech. Department, I have been working for Rider U for a few years in the media department, and many moons ago I completed my undergrad Music Education degree at Riders’ sister school, Westminster Choir College.

My relationship with technology is varied and has provided me with some unique insights into how people can use and interact with technology to enhance their educational experience. From university undergrad and graduate student, high school music teacher, media services support specialist, and now instructional technologist, I have had to use technology in a variety of ways.

I hope in my future posts you will find insight and knowledge that you may not have considered and might even challenge your beliefs. I look forward to reading your comments. Feel free to reach out to me with any comments and concerns and happy reading!

Sincerely,

Shaun

365 Sketches: 32 of 365 is an All Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) made out of text #inkscape #starwars : http://wp.me/pKsWK-2o

If you’re interested in learning about Inkscape please connect with me. It’s a great free and open source design tool that just kicks ass.

There’s still time to sign up! Free design workshop series starting next Tuesday at 7pm in NJ. All skill sets welcome http://is.gd/4cB4T