This more like an ad placement rather than a round up. Most important consideration: battery life. 2nd : Pricing with Linux as opposed to XP 3rd : Wireless access functionality (does it work). Processor, screen size, storage needs will vary with users but the items above are some of the key reasons people might buy a net book over a notebook which aren't that much more expensive than most net books. I would say the computer companies are selling net books because they are a novelty item that can be sold at a higher margin than more commodity items such as low end notebooks. Here is what I see as really the next phase (net books are intermediate devices). Think small tablet pc with a touch pad or touch screen interface (like a Kindle or Palm with a bigger screen) built in wireless and solid state storage, camera & microphone and usb only peripheral ports. Keyboards should be separate accessories and will now doubt vary from be hard form factor to flexible rubber type keyboards that can be easily folded up and stored in a bag or even a pocket. These devices presume an increasing number of users moving to online storage of data and use of online apps. The need for hard disks on these devices is somewhat of a mystery to me. These are not intended to be hold all storage devices. So far these devices seem like really cheaply made devices and more of an upgraded version of a ToysRUs type kids computer. A lid that covers the screen for protection but can be opened at more than a 180 degree angle so it can act as a stand and easel would be most welcome. »

I took a look at your proposal. Open source of course doesn't really mean anything because everything depends on the license. But what seems to be the ever present issue in the free software world is that people using proprietary solutions want that solution made free software. As long as people refuse to use free software as a matter of principle even if they have to work around some lost functionality, proprietary software vendors know they can keep things just the way they are by being one step ahead of any free software. Until freedom becomes the number one priority, users of proprietary software seeking open sourcing of their favorite product will always be seen by proprietary software vendors as beggars. »

Err ... If vmware is so polished why would they open source their engine ? If they are the superior virtualization technology what does open sourcing their engine bring them when the open source versions are judged by you as lacking polish ? And if you are so supportive of free software, why don't you give up the proprietary polish and work on polishing up the free software that's available ? And if you don't have polishing skills, why don't you help provide information that a user of free software would need if they don't want to run vmware ? Get real! »