[williamgeorgegardner]

I was wondering how I could optimise this netbook for programming so i can use it as a portable programming machine?

Here are the uses:

• Web development - HTML/CSS
  
• Processing (like Java)
  
• Mainstream Java
  
• C++
  
• and other programming languages

Thanks in advance for the help.

This post has been edited by comptechexpert: 08 March 2010 - 12:28 PM

[raziel_]

what is there to optimize it. install your programs. and btw it run with windows 7. you will be amazed on what PC i work on my work lets just begin with 20 GB hard and 512 shared with video memory.

[cmh0114]

I don't know about CSS, but you can program HTML in Notepad, so you don't need anything extra for that.
Use Eclipse for Java programming -- it's a pretty good IDE, and it's supposed to have tools for integrating with web development, although I've never used those personally.
Borland is good for C++, but I don't know where you can download it. I really haven't used any other compilers for C++.

[raziel_]

omg Eclipse omg the horror the horror........

[williamgeorgegardner]

cmh0114, on 08 March 2010 - 12:11 PM, said:

I don't know about CSS, but you can program HTML in Notepad, so you don't need anything extra for that.
Use Eclipse for Java programming -- it's a pretty good IDE, and it's supposed to have tools for integrating with web development, although I've never used those personally.
Borland is good for C++, but I don't know where you can download it. I really haven't used any other compilers for C++.

Well I use notepad++ for my web development and for C++ I have visual studio 2005 and all the visual express editions I will also look into that "Borland" compiler and I will probably use eclipse for Java.

I am planning on upgrading it to 2 gigs of ram as well, I was wondering also how good is the microsoft arc mouse?

[raziel_]

Is windows 7 like vista 512 mb ram min. usage ?

This post has been edited by NoBrain: 08 March 2010 - 02:17 PM

[programble]

Optimization: Install a lightweight Linux distribution (perhaps Crunchbang)

Just my suggestion, no need to get angry cuz I mentioned Linux.

[williamgeorgegardner]

Well I would prrefer to use windows.

[GenHornet18]

Recommendation (based on your preferences): Windows 7

It's the latest distribution by Microsoft, which is why it is quicker, more 'lightweight' and tied down even more with security features. If I were you I would install it fresh myself and set it up based on your preferences (partitions, etc.). As for optimizations you can mostly just go through a programs and systems list killing off processes and tasks which you don't need, taking heed to which tasks are necessary for windows to remain functional.

As for any programming you want to do, I personally do everything in Notepad and then I use a cross-compiler (which is part of Cygwin to compile/link my C/C++ work along with the lightweight NASM assembler for any assembly. Java is pretty lightweight (or more so can be) so it shouldn't be too much of a problem and I'm not sure what your preference is one Web Development but for me a simple Notepad will suffice.

For the most part the optimizations go as far as you want them too, what nice features will you sacrifice for a performance gain? It's all your call in the end.

[no2pencil]

Best way to optimize it, in my opinion, would be to use it as a dumb terminal. Build a monster quad core processor beast of a tower & VNC onto it. Then you can go mobile, but still have terabytes of storage, tons a memory, & all the processing power to accomplish what you need.

[williamgeorgegardner]

GenHornet18, on 09 March 2010 - 08:01 PM, said:

Recommendation (based on your preferences): Windows 7

It's the latest distribution by Microsoft, which is why it is quicker, more 'lightweight' and tied down even more with security features. If I were you I would install it fresh myself and set it up based on your preferences (partitions, etc.). As for optimizations you can mostly just go through a programs and systems list killing off processes and tasks which you don't need, taking heed to which tasks are necessary for windows to remain functional.

As for any programming you want to do, I personally do everything in Notepad and then I use a cross-compiler (which is part of Cygwin to compile/link my C/C++ work along with the lightweight NASM assembler for any assembly. Java is pretty lightweight (or more so can be) so it shouldn't be too much of a problem and I'm not sure what your preference is one Web Development but for me a simple Notepad will suffice.

For the most part the optimizations go as far as you want them too, what nice features will you sacrifice for a performance gain? It's all your call in the end.

Thqanks for the advie, so are you saying I should do a clean install of windows 7(system restore)?

[GenHornet18]

Personally I would:

1.) Backup all personal and important information that may be on the netbook to a secure sealed off location.
2.) Format (and I mean completely) the main hard-drive where Windows 7 is to be installed
3.) Install Windows 7 (selecting multiple partitions depending on your setup)
4.) When Windows 7 is setup go through the control options and start killing off unnecessary processes which don't affect you (including start-up programs)
4b.) Cleaning up your registry can be helpful too and even optimized (there are a number of freeware programs on the net you can use)
5.) Install necessary programs and optimize their settings

Now if you don't have a Windows 7 disc then you could do a system restore to the earliest time (which if the netbook is new, should be after install) and then continue from the above list at '4.)'.

[williamgeorgegardner]

Thanks, the netbook will be new but is a restore worth it or can I just remove all the stuff I do not need anyway?

[GenHornet18]

Well you could try to remove all the software that you don't want but fragments will be left over and some settings will remain unchanged. If you want to really optimize your netbook you're better off starting from square one and working your way up from a solid base. Personal decision really, add up the positives and the negatives.

[williamgeorgegardner]

Thanks I will think about that.