Normal Keys, Please.

I just finished reading an Internet article discussing generational differences in the concepts of online privacy. Have you noticed how many newspapers are now starting to offer article forums in which people can comment? I generally kick myself for actually going through the paragraphs written by all those informed readers. Most opinions are not worthy of the time they take to read. I already have an opinion or two on almost everything and someone else's is not likely to affect mine. I was contemplating adding my own thoughts on the topic here but why bother? It just makes my head hurt to think about it.

Rather than that, I'll briefly mention the potential purchase I'm wavering over. Next Sunday, we're off to Rome. Although the past two times to Europe in 2005 and 2007, I took along my notebook, this time I am unwilling. It simply weighs too much. I don't want to carry around five pounds of extra luggage as we're pretty good at going lite.

A mini-note would be perfect for a trip. I have progressive lenses, so I could make due with a screen less than nine diagonal inches! I became interested in the Asus last fall and thought getting one would be great. Then, the HP 2133 showed up this summer. The keyboard was perfect but in this first incarnation, they used an underpowered processor. Next, I became very excited about the Acer Aspire One. There are several models and XP is an option. I wanted to wait until I saw what Dell was to release. I was disappointed to see during last Friday's launch that they're currently only using solid state drives. One reason for taking a mini-note along on a journey would be to dump pictures and video onto it in order to not have to buy extra memory cards.

Okay, so it looks as if I really want one now, it'll have to be the Acer. Unfortunately, in Canada the model is only released with a damned bilingual keyboard. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against some additional markings on my keys as I don't look anyway. However, they have had to modify the keyboard on the bilingual version to fit in a few extra keys and vary the placement of others. Yuk. As it is, the Acer is nearly too narrow for comfortable typing in the best of conditions.

So I guess if I run to Bellingham, WA and pay taxes twice, I can get the US model for about the same price. For some reason the Best Buy there has it $50 cheaper than can be found in Canada. But I'd have to pay Washington state tax, and then turn around at the border and declare the GST and PST too. So, it comes out as a wash. I am leaning to the notion that it'd be worth the hassle.

Or, more appropriately, I could simply take along a $1.99 paper notepad and pencil on the trip to Italy.