Comments on: Rick’s guide to trouble free computing http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm Easy to understand computer help Wed, 23 May 2012 11:31:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Steve Nuytten http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-1#comment-18913 Steve Nuytten Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:44:11 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-18913 Hi Rick, Over the years, I have switched several PC belonging to frustrated senior citizens over to Ubuntu. I've used Ubuntu 9.04 and 10.04 LTS. Soon Ubuntu 12.04 LTS will be available with a 5 year life span. Although at first I found Unity confusing, there have been many improvements in Unity recently. What do you think about using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS for "trouble free computing"? Thanks, Pastor Steve Hi Rick,

Over the years, I have switched several PC belonging to frustrated senior citizens over to Ubuntu. I’ve used Ubuntu 9.04 and 10.04 LTS.

Soon Ubuntu 12.04 LTS will be available with a 5 year life span. Although at first I found Unity confusing, there have been many improvements in Unity recently.

What do you think about using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS for “trouble free computing”?

Thanks,

Pastor Steve

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3790 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3790 I also used to be a windows person. I didn't know any better. I did use DOS when i was a kid, so i knew that there are other way's of doing things. It was scary when i decided to try Ubuntu Linux. I tried a Live-CD first, to make sure i liked it, and to make sure it worked with my hardware. It did, and i decided in a split second to dump windows. Yeah, that's how much it impressed me. Took me about 30 seconds to realize the door had been opened. Sure right after it installed i had the "oh crap" feeling, but everything was fine. I even wanted to go back to windows for awhile too, but once i got used to the learning curve, i have never wanted to go back. I've been happily using ubuntu for more than 5 years now. The best reason for switching to Ubuntu is the friendly community support, if something does go wrong. http://ubuntuforums.org/ There is almost always a local group in your area that will be more than willing to sit down with you and "attack" any problem. Of course there is also the fact of not really worrying about viruses either. It's a good idea to run a virus scanner on linux, but mostly so you don't become a "carrier" and accidentally pass along viruses to your windows friends. I also used to be a windows person. I didn’t know any better. I did use DOS when i was a kid, so i knew that there are other way’s of doing things.

It was scary when i decided to try Ubuntu Linux. I tried a Live-CD first, to make sure i liked it, and to make sure it worked with my hardware. It did, and i decided in a split second to dump windows. Yeah, that’s how much it impressed me. Took me about 30 seconds to realize the door had been opened. Sure right after it installed i had the “oh crap” feeling, but everything was fine. I even wanted to go back to windows for awhile too, but once i got used to the learning curve, i have never wanted to go back. I’ve been happily using ubuntu for more than 5 years now.

The best reason for switching to Ubuntu is the friendly community support, if something does go wrong. http://ubuntuforums.org/

There is almost always a local group in your area that will be more than willing to sit down with you and “attack” any problem.

Of course there is also the fact of not really worrying about viruses either. It’s a good idea to run a virus scanner on linux, but mostly so you don’t become a “carrier” and accidentally pass along viruses to your windows friends.

]]> By: Rick http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3791 Rick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3791 I am very close to jumping ship as well and doing all of my day-to-day activities in Ubuntu. However, I don't want to abandon my Windows friends and need to keep using and learning about it as well to help those who choose or need to stay with Windows, but I can confidently say that 60-75% of the computer users I help would benefit greatly from the system I described in this article. I am very close to jumping ship as well and doing all of my day-to-day activities in Ubuntu. However, I don’t want to abandon my Windows friends and need to keep using and learning about it as well to help those who choose or need to stay with Windows, but I can confidently say that 60-75% of the computer users I help would benefit greatly from the system I described in this article.

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3792 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3792 I've been working with Microsoft software since ... before Windows 1.0. I'm only 33 (ONLY, YES ONLY!) and only in the past year would I really recommend Linux to the average Joe. Ubuntu has really brought it into the mainstream and brought a lot of usability to Linux. All the "Linux isn't a workstation OS" talk isn't as applicable anymore. And, if you aren't too attached to the software, there are open source alternatives for Quickbooks and genealogy software. Plus, if it is viable for the end user, Wine is an option. I've gone from exclusively using Microsoft software (for me, it wasn't a one and only option, it was a preference) to having a couple Linux servers and a Linux workstation. On a laptop, I rarely see any reason to run Windows anymore. It's not powerful enough for a gaming machine, and Linux is able to do great on movies and CD/DVD recording. Microsoft has some great operating systems and software. I have had nothing but great experiences with them. But, for a budget PC, I don't like having to upgrade the RAM and CPU just to get it running smoothly. Yes, I'm a huge Vista fan (and I'm in a small room with the rest of them, too!), but Ubuntu is about the only OS I'd recommend on a mainstream laptop or less than top of the line PC. Unless gaming (with large titles like Crysis & FSX) is a top priority. And I've got a nice HP Laser printer sitting on my desk (for the past 4 years!). It's a workhorse that just doesn't give up! I’ve been working with Microsoft software since … before Windows 1.0. I’m only 33 (ONLY, YES ONLY!) and only in the past year would I really recommend Linux to the average Joe. Ubuntu has really brought it into the mainstream and brought a lot of usability to Linux. All the “Linux isn’t a workstation OS” talk isn’t as applicable anymore.

And, if you aren’t too attached to the software, there are open source alternatives for Quickbooks and genealogy software. Plus, if it is viable for the end user, Wine is an option.

I’ve gone from exclusively using Microsoft software (for me, it wasn’t a one and only option, it was a preference) to having a couple Linux servers and a Linux workstation. On a laptop, I rarely see any reason to run Windows anymore. It’s not powerful enough for a gaming machine, and Linux is able to do great on movies and CD/DVD recording.

Microsoft has some great operating systems and software. I have had nothing but great experiences with them. But, for a budget PC, I don’t like having to upgrade the RAM and CPU just to get it running smoothly. Yes, I’m a huge Vista fan (and I’m in a small room with the rest of them, too!), but Ubuntu is about the only OS I’d recommend on a mainstream laptop or less than top of the line PC. Unless gaming (with large titles like Crysis & FSX) is a top priority.

And I’ve got a nice HP Laser printer sitting on my desk (for the past 4 years!). It’s a workhorse that just doesn’t give up!

]]> By: Rick http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3793 Rick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3793 I appreciate your feedback. The one thing you didn't hit on was security. If you could, it would be great for visitors to hear someone besides me talk about the average computer user and how security and maintenance is different on a Linux machine vs. a Windows PC. I appreciate your feedback. The one thing you didn’t hit on was security. If you could, it would be great for visitors to hear someone besides me talk about the average computer user and how security and maintenance is different on a Linux machine vs. a Windows PC.

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3794 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3794 Can Ubuntu through Firefox use TurboTax to prepare and file taxes? And use Quicken to prep and print wills and other related documents? Of so, I think I will switch. Can Ubuntu through Firefox use TurboTax to prepare and file taxes? And use Quicken to prep and print wills and other related documents? Of so, I think I will switch.

]]> By: Rick http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3795 Rick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3795 Ubuntu will not let you use Windows based programs like Quicken Willmaker. However, you can use the online versions of these programs like quicken.com, turbotax.com. IF you need to use Windows based software, then Ubuntu will not be your best option. Ubuntu will not let you use Windows based programs like Quicken Willmaker. However, you can use the online versions of these programs like quicken.com, turbotax.com. IF you need to use Windows based software, then Ubuntu will not be your best option.

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3796 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3796 I hear that if you start windows and click "I disagree" to the license, you can get your windows tax back. GNU/Linux rules. I hear that if you start windows and click “I disagree” to the license, you can get your windows tax back.

GNU/Linux rules.

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3797 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3797 Linux will let you use windows programs, you just have to install "wine". It runs most windows programs. Or even the "crossover" suite, recently released for free. Cheers Linux will let you use windows programs, you just have to install “wine”. It runs most windows programs. Or even the “crossover” suite, recently released for free.

Cheers

]]> By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/ricks-guide-to-trouble-free-computing.htm/comment-page-#comment-3798 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2277#comment-3798 I cannot get the dial up to work. Fact is, I cannot even find where to put in the phone number to have it dial it. Thank you in advance. I cannot get the dial up to work. Fact is, I cannot even find where to put in the phone number to have it dial it.

Thank you in advance.

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