Recently and for no obvious reason, my Eee PC (still running the original Xandros install) started refusing to read USB drives, popping up the not very helpful message 'You do not have enough permissions to read '. At first I feared the machine was on a rapid path to disintegration, but a little Google-ing and a helpful hint from the EeeUser Forum got me back on track. All that's needed is to bring up a terminal window (using Control-Alt-T) and then typing the following commands;
sudo -i
mkdir /media
The accepted consensus seems to be that this problem occurs if you don't 'safely' eject drives by clicking on the USB icon -- but it's a fast enough fix (and uncommon enough problem) that I'll probably keep being lazy and pulling them out just before shutdown anyway.

A posting on the Google Android Porting group details how to install Android on an Eee PC, or similarly architected netbook. This is code-compiling stuff that is not for the faint of heart, but it's an interesting indication of how Google's mobile phone OS could also spread to other devices.
Howto build Android full source for X86 Architecture like EeePC(ASUS)

We've shown you how to build your own "Hackintosh", a computer running Mac's OS X system with PC parts. Now The Wired How-To Wiki goes even cheaper, detailing a process for installing the Apple OS on the ultra-portable (and pretty cheap) Eee PC. The method explained requires finding a suitably tweaked OS X image, an external DVD drive, and the patience to run through all the system configuration and terminal tweaks. Once you're up and running, however, the author says it runs decently swift, even with just the stock 1GB of RAM. Hit the link for a complete walkthrough. Run Mac OS X on an Eee PC

One consequence of Vodafone's recent launch of a USB 3G broadband stick modem that I didn't immediately realise was that it means that its older cabled USB modem is being taken off the market. Indeed, Vodafone's own site says
that the device was no longer available as of August 11, but you might still be able to track down an older model if you visit a Vodafone store.
Why does this matter? For Windows or Mac users, not having the cable is a definite advantage. However, if you want to add mobile broadband to the Eee PC, the older E220 model is a better choice, because you can make it work out of the box, as I've detailed before on Lifehacker. Getting the E169 to work is trickier, because its dual-mode function confuses the standard Xandros install. Blogger Liam Green-Hughes has detailed one approach to solving this problem, but it's a tad fiddly.
Of course, Vodafone isn't the only choice in town -- Optus and 3 both offer 3G packages using the U220, although they're also increasingly promoting the stick-only option. Each has price complications you need to be aware of too: Optus' new prepaid option has a hefty 10MB minimum download, and 3 users need to be careful about roaming charges, though that may change in the near future. What's your preferred approach to keeping your Eee PC connected? Let's hear about it in the comments.

Having sold off the Linux model of the original Eee PC earlier in the year at bargain prices, Catch Of The Day has now improbably got the Windows XP model on sale for an even lower $299 (plus postage, though PayPal buyers get that for free as well). While for stability and performance we think the Linux version is a better choice, the XP box does have some advantages -- ability to access Next G is the first one that springs to mind. This is only listed as a 24-hour deal, though previous Eee offers on the site have tended to recur, and the "limit of 10 per customer" suggests there isn't a massive shortage of stock.

Dear Lifehacker,I was hoping I could put a question to the Lifehacker community. I know a lot of folks out there are Eee PC owners, and I've finally caved and ordered myself a 901 (it's a 20GB Linux model -- I may switch distro as I run Ubuntu/XP on my main rig). I'm curious about whether there's anything I should do/gather in preparation, while I wait for my black beauty to be delivered. Essentially, it will put my waiting-for-a-new-toy-anxiety on hold, and I'll be that little bit more organised when it actually gets here. I realise there are many Lifehacker posts that are Eee-centric already, however they're mostly for taking it apart or using it, once you have it. Any advice? Cheers, Paul C

Adding a wireless USB modem to your Eee PC (or any other ultra-compact notebook) makes it a true go-anywhere machine, but there's one slight nuisance: you're left with a modem hanging off the side.

After complaining that installing applications on an Eee PC was just too damn hard, Anthony Caruana went out and canvassed the available options. His Pocket Mojo posting is a useful guide to the basic installation choices available on the Eee, with lots of useful links for the determined expander. I'm still not keen to do anything to my Eee that might require reinstallation, but if you are looking to make your Eee more versatile, this is a good place to start.Starting out with the Eee PC

Anthony Caruana over at Hydrapinion was one of many people who took advantage of recent discounts on the Eee PC. He quickly encountered an issue lots of Eee owners have had: adding new applications is far from easy if you want to use anything other than the limited Asus-approved set of packages. The bigger screen on the 900 and 901 (the latter now due in Australia in June, incidentally) won't help with that.My own approach to the Eee has been to not add anything -- but then I don't want much more than a browser, a word processor, and a wireless broadband connection, and they're all in the OS already. There are several solutions out there -- ditch Xandros and add a new OS, use a package manager, teach yourself to install from source -- but which one works best for the Eee? Let us know your experiences in the comments.

A week after first launching the deal and then extending it, Catch Of The Day still seems to be offering the original Eee PC for $327 (plus $15 shipping). If you want a portable notebook, or just an easy chance to experiment with Linux, it's not going to get any cheaper than this.

OpenOffice offers a fine word processor for users of the ever-popular Eee PC, but sadly the default shipping OS doesn't offer any spell checker at all, let alone an Australian one. Fix that problem by following these steps.

When we noted the $327 Eee PC earlier in the week, the offer ran out before many readers saw it -- so we're pleased to report that Catch Of The Day is reprising the deal. Clearly the original Eee is now in runout mode, so even after this offer runs out, shop around online to look for a deal -- there's no logic in paying $499 any more. More Aussie Eee tip goodness coming soon too.

If you've been tempted by the thought of an Eee PC, here's a good local deal: Catch Of The Day is selling off the original 7.9in Xandros Linux model for $327 plus shipping. To our way of thinking, even at $499, the Eee is a killer buy; with this kind of saving, you'd want to get in quick. 

Optus, 3 and Vodafone might claim to only support Windows and Macs with their wireless broadband systems, but in fact you can use any of them on a Linux Eee PC without special driver software. Here's the step-by-step guide to getting it set up for Australian 3G networks.

Here's a twist on the tale of the Windows XP phaseout - Microsoft has confirmed it's going to keep selling XP on certain ultraportable computers, including the ASUS Eee PC, until 2010. Microsoft had already extended the XP phaseout once, to June this year, but it will be sold on the Eee and similar form factor products until 2010. Interesting!

The second generation of the geek friendly ASUS Eee PC mini-laptop will hit Australian shelves this month, but Linux lovers are set for a double blow - not only has the price gone up by $150 dollars to $RRP649, but the XP version of the Eee is actually cheaper!APC had the rundown on this strange state of affairs - pointing out that the Eee PC 900 loaded with XP will cost only $599, which means that even with the Windows XP license, it's $50 cheaper than the Linux version. The Linux version gets 20GB of storage to compensate, in comparison to the 12GB in the XP version. But still, rather odd.I'd been hanging out for the 2nd gen Eee because they've kept the same small form factor but increased the screen real estate by about an inch to 8.9 inches by moving the speakers away from the sides of the screen. But I have to admit, I'm wondering whether I should snap up a $500 first gen unit rather than ponying up for the 900. Here's our original review of the first Eee PC - it rocked our socks. :)Got an opinion on whether the new Eee will be worth the extra $150 - or whether to go for the cheaper XP version? Let us know in comments.EDIT: It seems I fail at basic subtraction - the XP version of the Eee 900 is $50 cheaper than the Linux version, not $150 as I originally wrote. Apologies!

We're not sure when it'll arrive in Australia, but David Flynn over at APC has written up the next gen of the ASUS Eee PC which was on show at CeBIT recently. For around $650, the new Eee will boast up to 12GB of flash memory, and they're aiming for 8 hour battery life. The new 900 series will pack a 9 inch screen with 1024x600 resolution into the same tiny format as the current model. Nice.

ASUS will release a Windows XP version of its mini-laptop, the Eee PC, later this month. The XP Eee PC will be available through "special tender" for educational institutions and through computer resellers, but the exact release date and price have yet to be confirmed. The Linux version of the Eee PC, which runs Xandros, rocked our socks when we reviewed it last year.

I got an email overnight from ASUS PR letting me know that their Linux based Eee PC mini-laptop has been released in black. In my review of the Eee PC I said I'd fallen for its pearly white iPod looks, but if you're more Vader than iPod, the black one could be for you.