Here are my impressions of the Eee PC after two weeks of using one. I have shown this laptop to hundreds of people who have visited the public library where I work. People universally comment that this laptop is very small and very cute. People who have tried out the laptop say that the keyboard is not too small, but I find that even with my small hands, the keyboard feels cramped.
I have to say that I adore this laptop. It is so light and rugged and well designed. My one complaint is the placement of the right shift key which mysteriously is placed on the right side of the four navigational arrows on the bottom right corner of the keyboard. My right-hand pinky is collecting frequent flyer points traveling over to visit that key.
Here is why this laptop is a dream come true for people who work in public libraries. Because it is so portable, this laptop makes it easy for a library staff person to do some quick research on the person's laptop and bookmark some web sites that answer their questions.
A public library staff member can also quickly install some multimedia that provides value to the public. For example, a library staff member could copy over onto this laptop some freely distributable audio books from LibriVox.org. Similarly, libraries can distribute other public domain or Creative Commons media to help someone who is learning English or someone working on their writing skills.
If Asus is good at listening, it'll offer a future model of this laptop without an LCD screen. The whole laptop would consist of a keyboard with a motherboard underneath -- complete with all ports including a VGA-output port. Such a low-cost "laptop" could be connected to any of the thousands of surplus CRT monitors that are being donated these days. If Asus offered such a version of this laptop, then public libraries could provide more LCD terminals for people who brought their own computer. This would expand access for everyone.
With that kind of innovation, public libraries can concentrate on what they do best: providing guided access to the world's information.
This laptop changes the rules of the game. It brings portable computing power within the financial reach of millions more people. This laptop brings hope and expands the world of possibilities.
Innovations like this will change the way architects design public libraries. Thankfully, the tools for making such designs, such as Google SketchUp, are free and within easy reach.
The blogger has been working to bridge the digital divide for 20 years in the Washington DC-area. He loves Macs, adores Linux and likes Windows. Reader responses welcome in the comments below or at philshapiroblogger@gmail.com
