Vietnamese netbook runs on Hacao Linux - my opinion

Hacao, the Linux-based Vietnamese IT company, did it again.  The good news, they have successfully created a Vietnamese language netbook based on Linux.  The bad news, Hacao Linux, based on Puppy Linux, comes installed by default on these netbooks.

Hacao, made a wise decision by choosing the Pico netbook which is based on the famous MSI Wind netbook.  The MSI Wind is one of the most popular, easy to use, netbooks here in the Vietnamese market (though you will tend to see more EeePCs and Aspire Ones in the coffee shops).  Pico is a good choice with it large keyboard and monitor screen.  My students who own MSI Winds have no complaints.

Unfortunately they decided to install their lackluster version of Linux.  Granted, I have never been a fan of Puppy Linux, previous versions of Hacao Linux, though, were considered too bloated for my Vietnamese students.  They felt the desktop was too clustered with Vietnamized icons (imagine an icon followed by 4-5 word translations).   Hacao Linux 2009 CE seems to have resolved that issue.

Realistically though, they should have installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix remix instead and relied on the large Vietnamese Ubuntu user community in Vietnam and around the world.  That would have been a smart move and they could have used the local Linux user groups, such as SaigonLUG, to help spread the Hacao Netbook.  Furthermore, if a Hacao Netbook user has a problem, they can ask one of the many Vietnamese Ubuntu users for help.  Instead, most new Hacao Linux users will most likely get so frustrated with Hacao Linux, many will decide to install an illegal version of Windows on their netbooks.

Still, as an Open Source Evangelist, Hacao should receive some kudos for promoting Linux in Vietnam.

See article here -> Vietnamese netbook runs on bilingual Linux distro

Wow, did I just give some praises to Ubuntu???