Netbook Experience

In this post I described how to play a Web based chess game on the Linpus version of the AA1.

I’ve found a great chess game for Mint Linux called DreamChess and it works well (in 2d mode) on the Acer Aspire One.

To Install Dream Chess on the Acer Aspire One running Mint Linux:

1) Click on the Mint Menu button in the bottom left hand corner of the screen

2) Click on Package Manager.

3) Type Dreamchess into the Quick Search box and press return

4) When DreamChess appears in window click on the selection box next to it and choose Mark for Installation.

5) Click Apply

Dream Chess will now install and will appear in the Games Section of the Mint Menu.

The get the best out of Dream Chess on the AA1:

1) When the Game has loaded go to the configuration Menu

2) Go to the Screen Resolution settings and choose 640×480

3) Turn Full Screen On.

4) Make sure you choose a 2d Theme, like Figurine or Sketch and the game will run really well.

3d themes do work but run quite slowly on the AA1.

The Figurine Theme

The Sketch Theme

On an unrelated note check out: iamamiwhoami

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Chess games have been popular ever since the first computers, and the AA1 is no exception, but on initial look there doesn’t seem to be many Linux based chess games available – although I’ll look further in the future.

I’ve found a web based chess game which I like it, and it can be found at http://www.mdgx.com/chess.htm

It offers 2 levels of difficulty – and the board looks a good size on the Acer Aspire One.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/netbookjohn