"Bob" wrote in message
...
JIMMIE wrote:

I know I dont have a problem with Linux either but casual users here
in the states are afraid of it. I use Linux or various versions daily
at work and love it. They are selling for about $270 here in the states.
Still a bargain. I was in the process of building a car PC but that
project ended when I found net-books.

I can't understand the reluctance of the Americans to use Linux. There
has
been no real reason to use Windows for a long time (unless you want to
play
games, but a PS3 is best for that). Over here in Europe, Linux uptake
continues rapidly - as each new Windows virus or worm hits, ever more
people
and businesses migrate.

The last time I entered the 'States, the Customs guy demanded to look at
my
laptop, and see that it would actually work and that I wasn't importing a
bomb. I started it up, and got my very pretty 3D Gnome desktop up, and he
asked me what it was. I then got a lecture about how it was "un-American"
and "Commie" not to use Windows! The fact that I am a Brit, and that
Fedora
(my usual distro of choice) is American, entirely passed him by...

Bob

Obviously just joking with you. Comedy is often a stress releiver. Apple
is the one with the Soviet corprorate model.

Many of the laptops will operate well at 13.8 if you disable all the alerts
and auto shutdown features. You also need to remove the battery so that it
won't run it down. Some will get goofed up thinking there is a shorted
battery though. I used to run my old Panasonic on 12v direct to the battery
input terminals without incident.

I have an APC TravelPower adapter which claims to pull 10 amps at 11-16 v
input. for 3.6 amps at 18v. Ouch! A small msw 120v inverter seems to be a
lot more efficient than that.