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- DevastatorIIC, on 10/10/2007, -7/+159That's exactly what I did with my parents' computer. I installed Kubuntu and skinned it to look like Windows 2k (what they were coming from). I ssh in from time to time and make sure things aren't out of order.
What's funny is that they were totally frightened of computers and stopped learning about them. As soon as they were taken from their comfort zone (win2k) and made to learn a little more, they totally started getting with it. When mom's hard drive died, dad bought a new hard drive on his own, installed it, and installed Kubuntu again over the phone in about 20 minutes. I was so proud. - lavs23, on 10/10/2007, -7/+84That's what I did for my parents about 6 months ago when I built their new computer. They do little outside of browse the internet, e-mail and basic games. I installed a stable customized version of SimplyMEPIS, set up a cron job to auto update their software and now that they are used to it I haven't heard a complaint from them. Now I don't have to worry about reinstalling Windows for them yearly when they click on a pop up ad and get infected. I even talked them through installing their own software using Synaptic.
- Veritas77, on 10/10/2007, -4/+60How about 5 reasons to NOT have gray text on a gray background.
- adderx99, on 10/10/2007, -9/+57http://xkcd.com/196/
- EnterDaMatrix, on 10/10/2007, -1/+43Yesterday my mom thought that she broke the internet. The entire internet...
- glowb, on 10/10/2007, -2/+42"I was so proud". Made me digg your comment.
- ACrazyGerman, on 10/10/2007, -12/+48My dad has trouble with the switch from IE to Firefox, I think I'll skip this one for him.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -6/+32"1) The ability to run any app required in a home or office, without any loopholes/emulators"
My parents need a web browser, word processor, music player, and maybe en email client. That's it. Linux gives them that.
"2) Because you have probably used Windows for years, there isn't going to be any learning curve"
The parents referred to here probably haven't use a computer at all. The learning curve is the same for both.
"3) Installing drivers is typically a "click and install" rather then a "install driver, recompile kernel, try again""
The parents referred to here won't be installing drivers or adding any hardware.
"4) All popular software is written for Windows"
The amount of software needed is so small for this group of users.
"5) You can buy a device without researching first whether it works well with Linux"
See #3
"6) Games"
My mom won't be crushed that she can't run Crysis.
"7) Closed formats and protocol support : No jumping through loopholes to play MP3s, play DVDs, or open .docs"
This is a one time setup performed by the kid - not the parent.
"8) Virtually everything can be done without a terminal. With Linux, if you're installing something or configuring something, there's a good chance you'll have to search online to figure out just where that config file is"
The parents referred to in this article won't be installing anything.
"9) Third party driver support - you would be hard pressed to find a sound card/wifi card/keyboard/video card/monitor/usb device/etc that doesn't work with Windows."
See #5.
"10) Microsoft Office"
The only feature my parents need in a word processor is the ability to type, save and print. Even the older crowd that runs Windows probably runs MS Works and not Office. - raynar, on 10/10/2007, -6/+31Well lets see. AVG is free. Spybot S/D is free. CopSSH is free.
Next time you talk, try and use your big-boy voice, ok? - fragsta, on 10/10/2007, -13/+37Five reasons my parents should not use linux:
1. Don't
2. Want
3. To
4. Teach
5. Them. - cawpin, on 10/10/2007, -1/+24I also changed my parents over to Linux about 6 months ago. I put Ubuntu on their 1 year old Dell machine because my mom wouldn't listen to me about viruses and spyware. I had AVG and Windows Defender running and would log in remotely about once a month to run Ad-Aware and Spybot.
It apparently didn't do the job though. When I went back to visit, with Ubuntu disk in hand, there were several spyware installations, one of which was trying to start an FTP server at every boot. My mom just bought an iPod Nano about 2 months ago and I was going to walk her through setting it up.
I helped her install some packages with Synaptic and then told her to reboot because we had changed a config file of two and I didn't want to take a chance on her messing up a command line restart of services. I said, "Ok, restart it and we can go on." Silence......"How do you restart it?" I tol her to click on the little red power icon in the upper right and choose restart.
Ubuntu had been running for over 4 months and she had never needed to restart. With XP, that just didn't happen. THAT is why switched her to Linux and I'm glad I did. I still have VNC access, now secured over SSH, and I check in once a month still but there isn't anything to do.
Damn, this post got long. - byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -11/+34You need to turn OFF automatic upgrades for people like your parents. They don't need newer software since their needs do not change. Also, upgrades CAN produce problems. There's no reason to turn automatic upgrades on.
- qwuinc, on 10/10/2007, -1/+23I've administrated a Debian GNU/Linux workstation at my parents house for years. It has been working so troublefree that other members of the family have asked if I could make a Linux installation for them in the future.
Biggest "work" so far has been probably reinstalling nvidia drivers after each kernel upgrade, so it really does not get much lower maintenance than that. And you don't even need to worry about updating much (apart from maybe using backports for firefox/iceweasel) if you firewall it properly. :-) - bradleyland, on 10/10/2007, -1/+22My turn!
My fiancé's grandfather and mother (who live together) needed a computer for web browsing, emailing, and other simple tasks like storing digital pictures. The problem was, they really weren't going to use it much, so spending several hundred dollars on a new computer didn't make sense.
I picked up a P4 1.3GHz computer with 512 MB of RAM and a 17" CRT for $150 and installed Kubuntu on it so that if they ever needed to transition to Windows the interface would seem familiar. I set up a user account for each and showed them how to use Firefox and browse/delete files. I signed them up for a $20/month for 12 months Comcast internet promotion. After that, I signed them both up for Gmail accounts, showed them the basics, and turned them loose.
I received a couple of phone calls in the first two-three months, but the questions were more internet related than system related. I was surprised to get a call the other day. It seems that they've had the computer over a year now. Wow. Their Comcast promotion was expiring, so I signed them up for the new $10/mo AT&T DSL offer, swapped out the network gear, and they're set for another 12 months.
Let's do the math:
$150 initial cost
$20/mo for 12 months = $240 for the first year
$0 for virus/spyware related BS or other service
That's $390 total cost of ownership for the first year. I don't mean to imply that Linux is only suitable when you need to do something on the cheap, but it's really hard to ignore the value of the situation. - srg13, on 10/10/2007, -3/+23You mean you don't already?
- oobuntu, on 10/10/2007, -7/+26My parents-in-law have a linux machine for their family computer in their living room since I gave them a spare PC i had at home. In this instance they were coming from a Mac background so i installed Ubuntu with Gnome, but for a windows user I would recommend installing KDE for them.
I think the method of using repo's utilised by most distro's is far superior to what Windows users have to do. Search with Synaptic to find your package and it will invisibly download and install for you.
Compare that to telling someone how to install winzip or smartftp (make sure you go to the official site, then when its downloaded, that doesn't mean it is installed - by the way, "Program Files" is not where you actually store the downloaded files-, you now have to run the installer - you can't remember where you put it?- and then after installing you'll need to buy it or click on the reminders forevermore). - Matt2k, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20> They don't need newer software since their needs do not change. Also, upgrades CAN produce problems. There's no reason to turn automatic upgrades on.
Most "home users" with 98, XP, etc felt the same way. I think it might be irresponsible to leave auto-updates turned off. - BassJunkie, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20it's that new app iSeedeadpeople
- LinuxKitty, on 10/10/2007, -4/+21I use Linux primarily (only have a Linux desktop at home, no dual-booting), but I disagree with "Administration of a Linux machine involves little to no work." That is true if your hardware is fully supported and you make no changes to it, but if you do, or you somehow mess up, it is very difficult to fix for someone without any experience (or good googling skills).
I just walked someone through something as trivial as installing Java in Ubuntu. Getting it was easy, just apt-get sun-java6-jre and -plugin, and I love apt. But Firefox still didn't find Java. The solution was a symbolic link. Not hard for someone with a little experience (not so easy to explain on the phone, though!), but that would be an impossible obstacle for someone like my mother. In Windows, you download the Java executable, run it, and you're set. Or adding hardware, like a video card or a drive that you have to manually mount. In Windows, you get a "new hardware found" popup, in Linux you often have to edit some files, switch to root and work in the shell.
I do believe that Linux makes an excellent desktop system, but system administration can be more hairy than the article implies. Things have much improved in the past few years, though, and we're on a good way. - Meep3D, on 10/10/2007, -0/+15Did she search for google on google?
- qwuinc, on 10/10/2007, -1/+16I know a certain old woman who used to have trouble learning to use microwave, but after she did, she has been happily using it every day and thinks it's very convenient.
As you grow older, trying anything new and unusual seems troublesome and people have a natural tendency to avoid new things, but it does not mean it's not worth the trouble :-) - toeside, on 10/10/2007, -2/+17Many of my Windows "house calls" are for other dads whose teenagers let their computers get trashed with spyware. Of course, none of them have heard of either Linux or Digg.
- Jeffler, on 10/10/2007, -0/+15Actually, its a reason. With dell on board that means their is greater support and popularity. With greater popularity you get even greater support, and with even greater support you get a better experience.
- antdude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+16What about security? Linux isn't perfect.
- ExtremeRyno, on 10/10/2007, -2/+16All I did for my parent's computer was install FireFox and AdBlockPlus. They've not had any adware, malware, or virii since then.
- twtmc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+13You clearly speak from experience, don't you? /sarcasm
I have yet to have a package in synaptic that hasn't worked exactly as it was discribed. The community keeps track of it and keeps it up to date pretty well. If you had ever used it, you would know this. Installing software in linux (especially in debian based distros) is SO easy. Also, nobody is claiming that downloading and running an installer is harder, finding free programs for windows is harder. Just try finding a free open-source burning program for windows that can do everything that gnome-baker can do. I discovered gnome-baker by searching the words "cd burner" on synaptic. - Dylan47, on 10/10/2007, -6/+18She probably stopped calling you because every time you come over you reformat her computer and install some alien operating system that she doesn't know how to use.
- Binarydemon, on 10/10/2007, -4/+16Compared to most of the 'Switch to Linux' stories that make it to the frontpage, this blog makes some excellent points about the advantages of switching to Linux. Obviously the biggest stumbling block would be their willingness to relearn a new OS.
- Matt2k, on 10/10/2007, -0/+12I was WONDERING who broke it yesterday
- bogatash, on 10/10/2007, -4/+16the BSoD is not dead
- DAC1138, on 10/10/2007, -7/+19Someone please play the Devil's Advocate and list 5 reasons why we shouldn't make our parents run linux. NOT WORTH IT! My parents ran it after I switched them over. My dad figured most of it out, but my mom flipped out because it just looked a little different than windows. And my little brothers couldnt play the sims. On top of that, they'll call me up at night and ask me why the internet has failed and how to restart the network device. Yeah, if you can only think of 5 reasons to have your parents run linux, it's not worth it. Now if you could think of 50 reasons, maybe.
For the record, I am a linux user. Some people are happier with windows, some are happier with linux. Others just don't care. - blackjack75, on 10/10/2007, -10/+216. Because they'll be able to see you every time they buy a piece of hardware. You can sleep there too, you'd be welcome.
- hyperair, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11Meep3D.. have you ever heard of using .deb files in Debian based distros, or using .rpm files in distros that use it? If Google refused to release a deb of Google Earth then it's their own loss. Anyway, the command you used, did you realize that you can download it via your favourite browser/download manager, then locate the file, double click it, and click Run in terminal? That's almost equivalent of the Google Earth for Windows installation process.
- Tippis, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12...unless your parents are of the guard -- the kind of people who hacked together their own economy system using STYLE on old ITS machines, and who only grudgingly moved to Unix, calling it a drool-proof toy OS...
I hate having to call mom for my *nix tech support :( - championchap, on 10/10/2007, -4/+15Some of us shop to a budget, £100 for a copy of Windows is a big deal when you've only got £500 to spend.
- manicallday, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12wengophone, ekiga, gizmophone and twinkle
- jasorn, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Just have them get a SIP account. Mainstream? MSChat can use it. Ekiga works fine with it and it supports video.
- coredump0x01, on 10/10/2007, -7/+18You can't just plop a Windows user (especially a grandma) in front of a totally different OS and expect them to be able to do anything. It's like taking a golf player, putting him in a wrestling ring, and expecting him to tombstone The Undertaker. Did you show her how to launcher the web browser and email applications? Do any configuration for her as in setting the email server and address info?
"having a BSoD died out years ago"
Right, Thats why my mom's old XP SP2 install used to BSoD on a daily basis due to a ***** webcam driver (latest version). Switched her to Archlinux + KDE, showed her the differences (essentially all she does is browse the web, send email, plays music, all her office junk, and obsessive Yahoo chatting) and she hasn't had any major usability issues. And yes the webcam works and has a stable driver. And miraculously, I don't get those "support" calls when something breaks (when she breaks something) which were a weekly occurrence under XP SP2. All it takes is sitting down with them, showing them around the OS, and letting them explore.
In short, you should be straight with them about the differences and should handle any kind of app configuration for them (like you would if setting up Windows for them). - EirikN, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Well, then the issue isn't the OS, but your relationship with your parents. I switched my parents over to Ubuntu half a year ago, which has put an end to the ritual of updating software and scanning their hard drives for viruses and spyware whenever I visit. Spending more quality time with your family: Yet another argument for Linux. ;-)
- estvir, on 10/10/2007, -28/+38In the downtime between my grandma getting rid of her old PC and receiving her new one I set up a temporary computer with Ubuntu and for the most par (As in, sending emails and browsing, she couldn't do anything else she did like family history work, etc).. than the new computer came in and she went back to only Windows - and everything was fine.
Moral of the story; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Now, I'm sure some oh-so-smart person will go on about "Winblows" and how broken it is but the bottom line, is the bad jokes about having a BSoD died out years ago, we have 2 things known as Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista now.
If she ever gets a new PC that doesn't have Windows I might install a Linux distro (Or some *BSD one depending upon how well they're doing) otherwise she's fine with Windows - welcome to the real world. - analogue40, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Switched my Dad over to Ubuntu about a year ago and never looked back - running on old 500Mhz K2. Moved my Mum over to Mac OSX on a G4 Mini as she needs certain commercial applications.
- fluoro, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10When I gave my mom a Windows computer she hit me and called me a worthless son. I gave her a Dell Linux machine and she was too busy getting stuff done and not fighting her OS that she no longer had time to hit me!
- qwuinc, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Does not really relate to topic much, but I can't help digging xkcd links...
- neodorian, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Oh noes! Choices!!
They can just stick with what they install at first or they can choose to add things on. Besides, you can build a Linux web browsing/word processing computer for your folks for like $300-400 if that's all they need. This article is about people who use their computers for very basic things. No reason to buy a $1400 Apple with a frickin warranty and service plan. - Ssullivan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10You sir, are an idiot.
- BuckCynnie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Call it as you will, but don't forget to call yourself retarded.
- Matt2k, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12Practically all off-the-shelf consumer desktops come with an OEM copy of windows that is already factored into the price, and is significantly less than retail. The cost of windows in that case really is negligible.
- drburk, on 10/10/2007, -7/+16My mom called one day and said, "I want that new windows that just came out," rather than argue with my mother I lied and installed kubuntu. I told her it would take a few days to get used to and that some software looked different. She eventually found out when a friend was over one day and wanted to check her email, my mom told her she had the new windows, but the friend who really had the Vista (I say the vista because it makes it sound like a disease) spoiled things.
- Feanor, on 10/10/2007, -2/+11I am going to give you the same driver speal I give everyone. On a Windows clean install on my laptop, non of the drivers work. I don't even have a network driver to get to the internet to get drivers. Built for Windows XP my ass. On a Linux clean install, the only thing that doesn't work right away is Wireless. Big deal, at least I cant get to the internet with my NIC to set that up.
Who has better driver support during an install? Linux. -
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