Projecto Numero Dos...

Ok, so you might be saying "WTF-why is this guy starting on his 'second' project before completing (or, hell, let's be honest, really STARTING) his first project?"...well, the answer is two-fold:

I was inspired to do this project, because of its complexity and all the interesting things that might go...well, not wrong, but...sideways.

I got an opportunity to get my starting materials...inexpensively. Ok...cheap as hell.

What the basic gist of this is, is that I've purchased an HP Compaq TC-1000 Tablet PC and I'm planning to a) install Ubuntu on it (which has, shall we say, not the best Tablet PC support, though I've found helpful things for on-screen keyboards, screen rotation, and pen support, links to follow in later posts...probably) and b) mod the hell out of the case (I really don't like the whole grey-box-with-random-logos-and-stupid-stylings thing...I prefer a blacker/shinier/sleeker style, with as few buttons/protrusions as possible...maybe that's why I've been a Mac guy for years...well, one of the reasons). I plan on using lacquered carbon fiber for the body, with probably the same material for the face (if I can figure out the best way to install it, that is).

The bright side of all this is that I might (time/money permitting) have TWO projects to work on at the same time, and be able to take time off from one when it's bothering me and work on the other and that you, dear reader, will have two things to occupy your (otherwise obviously wasted) attention...

Projecto Numero Uno...

All right-here's the deal: I don't really know anything about computers (other than the whole "I use them 10-12 hours a day/can tell people where to find things in different programs by using my hands to illustrate drop down menus" sort of thing)-I really don't know how they're put together or how the OS interfaces with specific hardware, etc.  I figure, for my own personal edification, I should build one from the ground up and install a non-standard OS (i.e. I use Windows all day at work and OSX all night at home)-I'm thinking Linux, probably Ubuntu to start, until I get comfortable with command line interface, etc...any ideas?  I'll be working on my choices for hardware and posting them as I make them, and I'll be posting the whole process (so that all the 1337 kids out there can get a laugh and all the n00bs...as if there are any left...can color along).