Update: spelled Seesmic wrong! Typo has been changed. In title too. Sigh
I think I’m finally getting the hang of Twitter! It’s really due to two things: I picked up my ASUS EEE PC 1000HE on Saturday (do I love it? do I LOVE it!), and I downloaded Seesmic Desktop, a desktop Twitter application, and have been making full use of its list-making feature to keep track of things.
Note: I liked using the word “Twitter-ific” in the title of this post, but for anyone wandering in from Google, this post isn’t about Twitterific, which is a Twitter app for Mac and iPhone users.
ASUS EEE PC 1000HE
I work from home, and spend most of my work time in front of the computer. So, while blogging is fun, I’ve been feeling kind of chained to my desk lately.
Enter the netbook.
At first I was thinking of the Dell mini laptop, but then I surfed around, looking for reviews, and the ASUS EEE PC 1000HE looked perfect for me. CNET”s Crave blog rated it the no. 1 netbook in its top ten list of mini laptops.
I already have a laptop but rarely use it because I’m always paranoid it’s going to run out of juice just when I’m getting to a good part of whatever I’m working on, and having to plug it in everywhere kind of takes away from the whole portability thing, you know?
The EEE PC weighs a little over 3 pounds, has a nice, almost full-size keyboard and best of all, has a battery that lasts 9.5 hours! Of course, that’s if you use it in the optimal battery-saving mode, but all the reviews I read clocked the battery at lasting around 7 hours and 20 minutes, give or take ten minutes or so, running in normal performance mode.
I can attest that this is true – at least, on Saturday I had it running for about six and a half hours before I finally switched it off, and the battery wasn’t fully drained yet. Which is a relief, as the battery’s capability is the main reason why I decided to get this particular netbook. (Well, okay, the price is pretty good, too.)
The only thing I don’t like about the EEE PC is the multi-touch touchpad, but that’s just me. I’ve never liked touchpads or trackpads – I prefer plugging in a small USB mouse and going with that.
I have felt so free the entire weekend! I can sit and “watch” a Diego DVD with my little one, check up on my favorite bloggers, tweet to my heart’s content, and not feel any “bad mother” guilt at all.
And with the good weather here, I can get outside more without feeling like I’m shirking either my blogging or my writing duties. (The indexing, unfortunately, needs me to be at my main computer with its lovely ergonometric keyboard and paper holder; but mark-up of the page proofs can be done anywhere, thank goodness.)
Seesmic Desktop
I’m also loving Seesmic Desktop. It helps me keep track of different groups of people I follow, I can use it with more than one Twitter account (I have another Twitter account for the food blog my husband and I do together, Muse in the Kitchen) and so far (knock wood), unlike Tweetdeck, I haven’t experienced any problems with Firefox slowing down.
I like the number of sections I can have open, too; I now keep my replies window open so that I can keep track of replies, too.
Of course, this is now – who knows how I’ll feel about Twitter in a week or two. But for now, I do feel like I’ve got the hang on it. And now is really what’s important, right?
So all in all, it’s been a very good, Twitter-filled weekend. Do you Twitter? Look me up – my Twitter name is @msbookish!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on your netbook! I really want one, but it’s not in the budget right now.
Kathy’s last blog post..The Turnaround Winner
Ah, yes, but you get to go to BEA!
I love the look of that little computer! I’ve been hankering after a smaller laptop, and I’m going to have to keep that one in mind.
Memory’s last blog post..Cover Love: Text Me
Hi, thanks for your tweet offering to add the mystery book I am giving away to your Sunday list. That list is a great idea and I will be back to check it.
Also, I love to follow and be followed on twitter, http://twitter.com/terragarden
The last day for the book giveway is June 1
Terra’s last blog post..free copy of Night Watchman
I’m interested in what you said about Seismic Desktop. Does it work on a mac? I have Tweetdeck but can’t figure out how to use it. Is Seismic Desktop easier?
Margot’s last blog post..It’s Decoration Day
Memory, the mini laptop is great fun. I feel more connected online but at the same time, more free, too, if that makes sense!
Terra, definitely will include your post in the list.
Margot, I checked the site but it doesn’t mention if it works for Mac. Have you tried Twitterific? That’s specifically for the Mac.
I’ve just gone ahead and installed Seesmic based on your recommendation, Belle. Something tells me I’m going to be addicted for a little while until I get the general flow down.
Oh, and I’m a bit jealous of your mini-PC. It looks adorable and that just over 3 pounds? Wow, that would be awesome when you’re used to carrying around a 9 pound laptop (as cool as it may be LOL). Something tells me it could go well beyond just blogging…
And Margot, yes I do believe that Seesmic works on Mac according to the little button next to the download/installation links (i.e. Mac + PC Built with Adobe AIR…).
Ann-Kat’s last blog post..Mailbox Monday: The Big Haul
Do you think you could work on the netbook? My laptop has officially died (well, it was Windows 2000 machine, so not unexpected). I want something to use on the deck and when traveling. I wonder if I could get used to the little screen for work.
Beth F’s last blog post..Where Are You? / Teaser Tuesday (May 26)
Teli, I am hoping it will go beyond just blogging, too – although I suspect I will have to cart around a cordless USB ergonometric keyboard to make that happen.
Beth, I haven’t had a problem with the screen at all – and my desktop has a widescreen monitor so I’m actually used to a big screen. You can zoom in and out using a two finger movement (which I have definitely NOT perfected!).
I came over here to tell you that I downloaded Twitterific and to say thank you for turning me on to that. Then I somehow I got sidetracked with some of your posts. Anyway, thanks for telling me about Twitterific.
Margot’s last blog post..Annie’s Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg