The EeePC 701 as a cheap video conferencing tool

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The original EeePC 701 4G, which came with only 4GB of SSD storage space and a rather small screen, is now obsolete and the newer EeePC models are much better in many aspects. The result is, that the EeePC 701 is available for only little money, used or even new, e.g. from eBay.
If you always wanted to enable people to communicate to you more often, on a more regular basis, using video telephony, with low additional costs, buy them a used EeePC 701 and install the latest Xandros Linux distribution with Skype on it!
In the latest Xandros Linux for EeePC 701, the former webcam problems with Skype are resolved, making the EeePC 701 a perfect Skype hardware platform. The video quality is excellent. Astonishingly even better than with newer EeePC netbooks.

You can give that device to your children and call them daily at lunch from work.
You can give that device to your wife and call her each day from your frequent business trips.
You can give that device to your parents to make them happy with a video call on Sundays and Wednesdays.
You can give that device to your son who visits the college overseas - he may even be happy to have a small computer for Internet surfing, some gaming and some office work.
You can even give that device to your employees who are on frequent business trips. For lower office work requirements, maybe the EeePC can replace their larger and more expensive notebook.

Provided you already have the equipment for Skype video conferencing for yourself, the only monetary investment is that for the EeePC 701 you want to give away (search for it on ebay, or buy it from other sources on the Internet). You don´t need to pay any software license fees or any fees for phone contracts. Of course, for an online session, you need a working (i.e. paid) Internet connection, though. This can be the Internet connection at home, in the hotel, in the café, in the school or university or anywhere else. Preferrably via a WLAN hotspot or Ethernet. With 3G (UMTS) connections, video telefphony may be intermittent. With even lower bandwitch connections, such as GPRS ro GSM, it won't be possible at all.
The latest Xandros Linux distribution is available for free from www.asustreiber.de. (use the "EEEPC 701 Linux" link). This is a large (700MB!) CD/DVD image file which must be burned on CD-R or DVD-R and then booted using an external (USB) optical drive. Installation via USB flash drive may also be possible, but here I don´t have experience.

After installing the new Xandros version, you are ready. No additional software installtion is necessary. Just start Skype from the new Xandros system, create a new Skype account for the person you want to have more intensive contact with, and everything is ready.

Of course, the later EeePC models, especially the 901, are also capable for usage of that kind. But they are more expensive. the 701 appeals for this application mostly due to the low price.

If you like that idea but need assistance with obtaining or setting up such a device, you can contact me.