Eventually it will be a direct link, but for today, you can see it at http://kagii.squarespace.com.

Not much there yet, but its up. I like the subtle look.

Most interesting is the base model comes with Ubuntu.  Linux nerds like myself have been saying that Linux will creep its way into the consumer market and eventually take over.  Well, that’s a bit much.  I’m not calling Linux now by a long stretch, but the fact that dell is listing a laptop with Ubuntu on a regular page is a big move.  Granted, they did list Ubuntu for netbooks before, and this laptop is barely out of the netbook category, but still.  Big stuff.  I’ve been a full-time Linux user for a few years now.  I only use Windows for my TV computer, and audio recording stuff that only works on Windows.

I was pretty excited to get a machine with Linux pre-installed.  All of the reviews I’ve seen for this machine have been for the Windows version, so here are my thoughts:

Getting a machine designed for linux seems to help. My other laptop, an HP, came with Windows.  Some things work fine, some things are touchy.  For example, the wireless works, but its slow to connect and do other stuff.  I think that’s due to Linux using compatibility layers and Win drivers.  Stuff like that.  Linux generally has a slight “chunky” feel in the UI.  I may just be imagining it, but the Vostro seems snappy.  No small feat considering its got a Celeron proc.

Multitouch isn’t a huge deal, unless your machine is designed for it and its missing.  The Windows version apparently has multitouch with the trackpad.  When I read that it was kind of an “ehh, so what?” moment.  The Linux version doesn’t seem to support multitouch.  However, there’s also no little scroll thing on the side of the track pad.  I miss that.

Linux has come a long way, and then it hasn’t.  I will say this.  If you aren’t doing anything really weird, anybody who can’t use Linux for everyday stuff needs to see a doctor.  Its really not that hard.  The tough part about Linux tends to be when you’re doing something a bit out of the ordinary, or when you need to use almost any consumer hardware, because hardware companies rarely put the time in to make Linux drivers.  However, Linux is improving.

Here’s an example.  I’ve had 3 different 3G USB cards so far.  T-mobile, Verizon, and very recently, Virgin Mobile (if you need one, get this, because its the only carrier that doesn’t require a draconian contract term, and yet charges the same amount and runs on Sprint).  I’ve been running 9.04 on my main laptop for a LONG time.  I still am.  Installing all three of those cards took some serious Comp Sci skills (well, really some serious Google and ubuntuforums skills).  The vostro comes with 9.04, and I actually couldn’t get the Virgin card to work at all.  I bought the laptop and card for our new sales guy, so that’s a problem.  Well, I upgraded to 9.10, and it seems like the Linux people fixed that stuff up.  I plugged the card in, and it showed up in the list.  When I turned it on, we had some config, and blamo.  3G web.

However, upgrading from 9.04 didn’t go all that smoothly.  Grub had some error, which I had to google and fix.  So, 3G cards work, but the upgrade process leaves something to be desired.

Anyway, Linux is really coming a long, and this laptop is really sweet.  I highly suggest you go cheap, get the ultra broke-a version, and enjoy some OEM Ubuntu goodness.

Oh, last though.  It stays cool on the bottom, which was a surprise.  The Celeron isn’t exactly a scorcher, though.

I almost bought one.  Really.  Not for any of the hype, but we have a sales guy who walks around doing his sales thing, and I think the IPad would be a great way to do it.  If only because for the next few months, just having it might get you a few minutes to pitch while you’re showing it off.  The form factor is nice for the in person demo too.

Why did I REALLY want it?  The data plan.  Right now, if you want a 3G data plan you will be paying $60 per month, and will be locked into at least 1 year of a contract.  That applies for all major carriers, if you buy the device from them or not.  Its a really frustrating situation.  The contracts are generally assumed to exist to subsidize the cost of mobile devices.  However, even if you buy a laptop with a mobile card, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint require the contract and $60/month.

Why do they do this?  Pretty much the same reason you’ll pay through the nose if you buy a plane ticket 2 days in advance.  Because the only people who need that are business people, and in general, if $60/month is killing you, you either don’t need it or you seriously need to reevaluate your business plan.  For you and I, though, its generally not worth it.

The IPad will not only have a full 3G data plan for $30/month, from what I’ve heard, its not a contract plan.  Apple got this deal because they essentially have AT&T on a leash.  I’m sure AT&T is quite scared of the day when they aren’t the only IPhone carrier, or even a preferred one.  Every IPhone person I know complains about the network constantly.

So, anyway.   The innovation will be more devices that have allways-and-everywhere-on network connections.  Yeah, you can buy it to look at magazines too, or watch movies on your couch instead of putting them on your TV (I’m being jerky here.  There are other uses, but still.  Everybody has to take it easy on the IPad-changing-the-world craziness).

By the way, there is one card you can get that isn’t like the rest.  Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go.  Its $100 for the card.  However, after that, you buy the data plan you want pre-paid.  For example, 5G of data, that expires after 30 days, is $60.  Same deal as the other networks as far as data and time, but its when you want it.  No contract.  Best of all, its on Sprint’s 3G network.  Yeah, it would be great if it was on Verizon, but its not like its on some strange Virgin Mobile “network”.  Yesterday I had a chat with a Sprint rep.  I posed this scenario.  If I bought a laptop from Lenovo, with a 3G card in it, could I get a month-to-month plan?  She said all data plans are 2 year contracts, with early termination fees.  I pointed out the Virgin Mobile deal, which uses the same card and runs on Sprint’s 3G network, for the same price, without a contract.  Her response was, quote, “Can I help you with anything else today?”

No.  Not today, anyway.

I’ve always had a soft spot for R wines since their “Boarding Pass” wine. it was one of the first Shiraz I’d had, and although its a bit over the top, I’ve always dug it. I feel like Austrailia in general is great, because although they don’t take themselves too seriously, they are very serious about the wine.

I don’t know the varietal. I could look it up, but why spoil the surprise? Twist off cap, which I love. If you’re an Aussie wine under $100 and don’t have a twist off, I don’t think you believe in your product.

I generally expect a strong fruit smell coming out of the bottle, even before I pour it, but not so with this wine. In the glass, I’d call it medium bodied. You can see through the wine around the edges. Nice solid purple color. A very young wine, for sure.

Nose is subtle, but its there. A little fruit. This is either going to be “delicate and well balanced”, or a complete waste of time. Drum roll. Hmm. Almost caustic on the bite, but shy of being a turn off. A little more time to breath and I think it will be tasty. A little “hot”. I was going to guess grenache in some relatively large blend before tasting, but now I’m a little thrown. I’m not tasting the normal Aussie shiraz flavor, which is what you’d probably guess (if only because its like water down there. Everywhere).

Give it some time, but its tasty for sure. An interesting bottle to pull out for medium bodied bite, but as I remember it was in the $25 range, which might be a touch too much.

I just looked it up!!!! I f____ KNEW it!!!! Grenache, 60%!!!

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1049112

$19 there. I’m sure its cheaper elsewhere. Will be picking up a couple of this baby.  Love crazy grenache wines.

24 hour update.  I recapped the bottle last night.  It’s had 24 (ish) hours.  The fruit on the nose is much more pronounced.  Still has bite, but not as caustic.  Altogether, if you’re into odd aussie reds, give it a shot.