I have taken the plunge and pre-ordered a TouchBook from AlwaysInnovating. Those of you following my articles will ask “Why?” Didn’t you say that these gadgets were overpriced? Yes, I did and yes, it is. If I wait a year it will be cheaper, improved and the software will no longer be “beta.” So why?

First of all the manufacturer clearly states that this gadget is designed to run Linux and recommends NOT installing any Microsoft product. It will not be delivered with a Windows sticker on it. One of the first things I will do is to put a Tux sticker on it. More on this in a minute. As for being overpriced, I will not be paying a Microsoft tax and any profit the OEM makes will be my voluntary contribution to the advancement of free software.

The product appears to be modular. I can plug in, and boot from, any USB flash drive with an installed OS. At my choosing I can have Knoppix, Puppy, EEEbuntu or whatever. The device will come with some kind of OS that the OEM promises will be “beta.” In my world “beta” is normal. Yes, I might encounter a bug or two. If I report them and the OEM is decent (remains to be seen) the bugs will get fixed in an an update. If not, I just install one of the established OS’s as the main OS. They have bugs too, just less of them. The bottom line is that it looks to be a lot of fun and that’s another reason for making this purchase.

How much touch screen capability will be implemented? At a minimum no mouse will be necessary. Undoubtedly the OS will have a virtual keyboard making the optional physical keyboard a convenience but not a necessity. As I pointed out in an earlier article, Apple has patented some touch screen capabilities. While these are significant on the tiny iPhone screen, they are less so on a 9 inch screen. My ancient Macintosh SE performed well with its small screen and a mouse. I used it to run a business for several years.

Linux needs some brand recognition. When conversation with my acquaintances gets around to computers and I say “I run Linux”, some will say “What’s that?’, and others will  comment “I’ve heard about that.” No one says “Tell me more about it.” It really hurts when a talk show  radio host like Kim Komando advises to stay away from Linux. I guess I would too if all my sponsors sold Windows only products but it’s bad advice going out to thousands of listeners.  A device like this can be a breath of fresh air. When you impress your friends with it you can show them them the Tux sticker and proudly say “This computer runs Linux, why don’t you?”

Linux does not have a talk radio show spokesperson. Yes, we have podcasts but Windows users don’t listen to them. If your computer is mobile, stickers are a good way to promote brand awareness. My laptop says TOSHIBA in big bold letters on the cover. Can’t miss it if you tried. On the inside there was a Windows sticker that I removed and replaced with a “Powered by Ubuntu” sticker. If you go to www.smokinglinux.com you will see a link to “F5 StickerBook.” That will give you a download for a sticker book with a multitude of Linux (and other) stickers. Just print. cut and glue. You might also find an article or two there that you like.

A final thought. Netbooks are not intended to be a complete replacement for your primary home computer. Yet when I think about that old Mac that I ran a business with in 1989, the new netbooks are clearly more capable machines and considerably less expensive. One can only wonder what the next few years will bring.