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Broadband Computer, a Newcastle based company, has launched a Linux laptop designed to encourage technophobes to conquer their fears of the online world.

The Alex uses an operating system that was based on the Ubuntu Linux system and includes applications that have been designed by Broadband Computer designers.

According to Broadband Computer Company founder Andy Hudson, the Alex’s features have been simplified with updates occurring automatically without prompting the user. The aim is for The Alex to make those who are weary of IT feel more comfortable by offering a user-friendly operating system and applications. According to Hudson, “We’re targeting the disenfranchised people — we think there are 10 to 12 million of them — and the six million frustrated people. It gives people who have been alienated or are scared of computers the chance to find out what they’ve been missing.”

Hudson is very optimistic, also considering that 31% of UK households do not have a broadband connection, according to EU figures.

To aid IT novices, The Alex will have automatic security updates, as well as automatic blocking of potentially dangerous web pages and downloads. Novices can also feel assured by other automatic features, such as saving documents after every keystroke, freeing the user from manual saving.
The Alex laptop was released last Thursday, although they had a “soft launch” in November 2009.


Written by: Robert, who runs a website about SEO