I’ve got myself an Aspire One, the basic model, 8G SSD and 512m RAM, here’s how I have setup ubuntu with netbook-remix on it. This setup fit my needs better than the default linpus install, and it look way better IMHO.

Main installation

The first step is to have a working Ubuntu, just follow the instructions at

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AspireOne110L

With the basic model, I suggest to choose manual partitioning, format / with ext2, and create a 1G swap partition, just like the original Linpus setup for this machine.

Apply Ubuntu Updates

Before doing all the customizations from the Ubuntu wiki, it’s better to choose the best mirror for your location

• Launch synaptic, choose closest mirror, quit
• Launch update-manager and update

Reduce boot time

I have also installed a custom kernel described and available on the Aspire One User Forum which is lighter and boots about as twice as fast as the stock Ubuntu kernel.

sudo dpkg -i linux-image*.deb
sudo dpkg -i linux-headers*.deb 

Wireless bug

After following the instruction on the ubuntu wiki, sometime you’re still flagged with a known bugs, the network manager keep asking for your password and seem to never got it right. The easiest fix is to replace the network manager by the excellent WICD. Instructions at http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php

Install Netbook Remix

To install Netbook Remix, you need to have the Universe repository enabled:

• Launch Synaptic
• In the menu go to Settings > Sofware Sources
• In the first tab, select “Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)
• Close this settings window
• Click Reload to reload the list of available packages

Now you’re ready to install theses packages:

window-picker-applet
netbook-launcher
go-home-applet 
maximus

Setting Remix is really straightforward

• System > Preference > Appearance: Theme > darkroom, Visual Effects > None (very important)
• right click on the workspace switcher (bottom right) workspace switcher, set to 1×1
• delete bottom panel (right click then Delete This Palen)
• Configure your top panel to contain (add and remove stuff accordingly):
  • Go Home
  • Window Picker
  • Notification Area
  • Volume Control
  • Clock

You now need to configure Ubuntu to launch netbook remix when you log in.

Open Preferences > Sessions and add netbok-launcher and maximus, log off and log back in.

Maximus don’t play well with some applications. Fortunatly there’s an exclusion list that Maximus will respect. The settings can be found in the Gnome Configuration Editor (alt-F2 and type gconf-editor). In the tree on the left, navigate to

/ > apps > maximus

You’re gonna see a ‘exclude_class’ entry with a ‘Totem’ entry, double-click on it and in the new window choose ‘Add’ to add this entry

wicd-client.py

If you ever want to add another exclusion, you need to know the window class for the application. This is easy to get, open you application to exclude, then open a terminal and type

maximus

It will show you debug info for all the currently open windows. I’ve heard that VLC have to be excluded too.

BTW, for those used with desktop computer, you may wonder where the shutdown and reboot buttons are. Just click on the power button of you Aspire One and the menu will pop.

update 2008-12-09: I’m now running on this new kernel that work flawlessly for me (haven’t tried hibernation as I don’t have enough memory) aspire one kernel by sickboy

update 2009-12-13: Sickboy have released a new kernel, now the wifi led is now working Sickboy / Kuki kernel