Computers started making their way into homes, en masse, 15 years ago. After 15 years, computer users should not be afraid of using their computer.
This case study tells the story about a customer of mine, Wanda, who happens to be in her 70s. Like most computer users she used a Windows based computer. In her case, it was a system put together by her grandson in 2002 or 2003 and has a 1.8ghz processor, 256mb of RAM and the XP Home version of Windows.
When I first met Wanda a few years ago, she had typical Windows user problems; slow computer, slow Internet, couldn’t open some attachments, virus and spyware problems. She used dialup Juno for Internet and Norton Antivirus on her system. I couldn’t talk her into getting a DSL or cable connection, but I did change her security from Norton to AVG and optimized the startup and running of the system. However, with dialup and Juno, she continued to have problems that cropped up every 3-4 months.
In April of 2008, I talked with her in detail about computer usage. She stated that she really only needed to do three or four things with her computer:
- Word Processing
- Solitaire
- Very light Internet browsing
We talked about the cost of a new computer and a high speed connection. And then we talked about taking Windows off her system, installing a different system (Ubuntu and Linux didn’t mean anything to her) that would be virtually trouble free and no cost to acquire besides my install and configuration time. She liked the sound of that, but I informed her that I could not install Ubuntu unless she was agreeable to getting a DSL connection for the Internet. She agreed.
I installed Ubuntu for her and configured her desktop with shortcuts to her email, the web, solitaire, and her word processor. Again, that was April of 2008. Prior to that I received at least one call from her every month, and visited her for cleanup and troubleshooting appointments at least 3-5 times per year.
Today, Wanda called me for the first time since I installed Ubuntu on her system 14 months ago. She asked two questions:
- Why can’t I get email from my daughter?
- My printer stopped printing, do I need a new one?
Knowing that it would be a quick visit, I stopped by her house in between two other appointments. To my delight, the computer desktop looked exactly the same as I left it the prior year except for a few saved PowerPoint slideshows she saved from email to it.
Since she was using Hotmail, I could almost guarantee that she had blocked her daughter’s email address (Microsoft places the spam / junk mail button dangerously close to the delete button). Sure enough, a trip to the blocked senders settings revealed what I suspected. Her daughter’s email address and a dear friend were blocked. I rectified that in a few clicks.
Next, her printer problem turned out to be a paper jam. After clearing it, the computer was happily printing again. I left her home in under 15 minutes after correcting the problems that had nothing to do with Ubuntu, and she was beaming like a kid in a candy shop.
MORAL OF THE STORY
Properly setup and customized for an individual’s computing needs, Ubuntu Linux can be used successfully and easily by anyone of any age and computing ability. AND, the problems associated with computing under the Windows environment disappear.
My only regret is that I did not start looking into and learning about Linux prior to 2006.
This made me smile for two reasons. 1. Because Wanda is so happy with her computer now and doesn’t have to deal with all the problems she used to. 2. YOU sat down with her and discussed her computer needs to determine the best set-up for her. Many people would have left things the way they were to continue to earn money of her.
Thanks Kim. That’s been my philosophy since Day 1 with my biz…still hoping I can parlay those good feelings into something bigger…be able to extend my reach even further.
Excellent Rick; I have been using Linux (and lately Ubuntu) for all my ‘silver surfers’ and they love it. Sure I don’t cash in on them, but life is bigger than profit, and we owe so much to their generation.
I did the same for my 73 yr. old Dad with Mandrake (dual boot to 98SE). So long as I was doing all of his tech support (precious little, as you have found), Linux suited him just fine. Once he started letting his friends use his computer (booted to Windows) viruses became commonplace and so did paid tech support visits from a local techie. Long story made short, ignorant Windows users moved him back to what they ‘understood’.
Our deal was that I would support Linux, but he was on his own with Windows.
I liked your agreement, but I wouldn’t have let him dual boot. Unless there is something absolutely essential that someone needs in Windows, these users can get along with Linux just fine. Although I haven’t tried Virtual Box yet for someone who really does need a Windows program. Have you?
I’ve used VirtualBox for myself and it works great.
I hear good things about it, but haven’t tried it yet. Is it hard to setup?
How about Wine vs. Virtual Box?
I’m using Ubuntu and have been using only it for the past 5 months. Wine (with some workarounds) usually handles most of my windows-based software needs, as long as the software is at least 2-3 years old. I’ve tried virtualbox and created a few embedded OS’s and if you really are needing modern software, there is a slight learning curve. But in most cases wine will work flawlessly.
Virtual Box. Now you’re talkin’ dual boot. That other way — boot Linux – close Linux – boot Windoze – close Windoze – boot Linux — that ain’t dual boot. That’s Alternate boot.
I run Ubuntu on a DSL connection. In Ubuntu, I run Sun Virtual Box. In VB, I run Windoze XP for a couple of hot sync operations. Else, I would be all Ubuntu.
Of course, I am quite a bit younger than the person in the original anecdote. I won’t be 70 until later this year. 😉
do you run antivirus software in your Windows Virtual Box?
Good to know…being relatively new to VM, I wasn’t sure, but you explained it well. Thanks!
Rick, for someone who thinks that “There is NO ONE on the planet who knows how to setup a Windows computer and secure it better than I.”, you’re pretty much behind new tech if virtualization is relatively new to you.
Virtualization is certainly not a mainstream technology. How many grandmas and grandpas will be able to handle that? You are welcome to submit me an article that I will publish if it meets my criteria of being easy to understand and practical.
Yes for a while was the “free” tech support for friends, neighbors and coworkers. 90% of was trying to figure out malware laden and Windows “registry cancer” issues. People assume when you have a mountain of parts and systems in the garage you’ll fix their issues. And the repeat visits (sometimes unannounced with their CPU box underarm) was cutting into my time with chores and projects. If they want their Windows crap rebuilt I now charge 50$-100$, not to make a profit but discourage them to go to a support shop. But before they pay or go I show them a Fedora, PCLinuxOS and Ubuntu machine and interview like this writer for their needs and will build a system for free using any of the three and I even throw in grudge-free support, knowing how reliable GNU/Linux is…
Good for you for helping folks, but making sure they know that it isn’t always a quick fix. Geek Squad would charge them $200 plus for that kind of help.
hope it doesn’t put you out of business 😛
i’ve lost a few regulars by helping them too much…
I’m hoping it helps business by showing folks they can stick with their existing computers and not spend money on new hardware. But I understand the comment. With her, I definitely lost money, but hopefully gained a lot of good will and referrals.
My Mother-In-Law has beeen using linux for over a year as well. the only problem she ever had was that she forgot to plug in the laptop and wondered why it wouldnt turn on!
Yep, I think it is pretty consistent sentiment.
I set my, now, 92 year old grandmother up with a debian computer several years ago. About once a year or so I go over and update it (I go over much more often, but only update the computer about once a year or so). She emails, prints, surfs, etc.. No problems. I was just sick of fixing her windows based computer and told her I was going to set it up so that she wouldn’t have all the problems.
In addition, I set up a button on her task bar which says “Call your grandson, then click this for help” When she clicks it, it sends me an email with her ip. I can easily remotely log in and fix things. I’ve really only had to do that once, and it was printer related. And I was able to clear it in about 3 minutes from my house.
GMNightmare? Are you listening….moron. Great anecdote Bob, thanks.
I love Linux. I use it all the time on the server.
The biggest problem with Linux on the desktop is when you go beyond the simple; installing software and drivers. Knowledgeable Windows users are a dime a dozen. Try to find a knowledgeable Linux user — who is easy to talk to — is like trying to find a diamond in the rough.
I love your story, though. You sound like you really care about your users.
That’s why I avoided Linux for so long…always felt it was a geek’s operating system. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised that for folks like Wanda and others people have talked about in the comments, the newer desktop Linux systems work out perfectly. Thanks for stopping by…keep on coming by and bring your friends.
In all fairness, Linux was considered to be only for geeks; and some distributions still have this stigma. But user-friendly distros like Ubuntu have made it much more accessible. Any half-decent Windoze support man can easily find his way around Ubuntu, with a bit of applied intelligence. The reason there is so many Microsoft support guys out there, is that there needs to be.
And that’s where I get most of my work…supporting Windows. However, I much prefer teaching people how to get the most out of their computers for their specific purpose…even if it is just email and solitaire. And fussing with Windows and security intricacies is wayyyy beyond the average computer users pay grade. They just want it to work! They don’t care about being system engineers and they shouldn’t have to this far down the road with PCs.
Umm… so you aren’t experienced at setting up a Windows. This article says, not something about the operating system, but of you.
I can do the exact same with a Windows machine. I have nothing against Linux, plus they’re free, it’s just that you think something like this is special?
It should have been done in the beginning. You should have gone over, and really fixed the machine up. You obviously didn’t. On the other hand, you did setup a Linux fairly well, this says everything about you, and nothing about the operating system. My parents and grandparents machines using Windows have run great for a solid 5 years without trouble.
Well, perhaps it doesn’t take as experienced a user to setup a Linux properly.
Look further at the site Nightmare…YOU are a nightmare. People like you who just spout out crap on web sites make me sick. There is NO ONE on the planet who knows how to setup a Windows computer and secure it better than I.
C’mon GMNightmare, you’re not playing fair here. I have been a desktop support engineer for several years, supporting all platforms from DOS 5 and Windows 3.1.1 on through to the present. Windoze has kept me pretty busy all this time. It may shatter your nice safe orthodoxy to see the hallowed Microsoft flamed in this way, but Linux is inherently more stable AND FREE. Suck it up.
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Wow, we should start a Ragging Grannies LUG!
Hi, Im Steve and I too have installed senior citizens on Linux. Some even call it Gnu-Linux. Some know Shuttleworth through his flyboy adventures, others enjoy the idea that people all around the world can make something so good and so free and one even enjoys/anticipates the minor fixes and upgrades they get on a regular basis.
Dad was retired and spent 8 years on XP and slowly weened himself to his present day Mandriva 2009 – KDE4.2.2. (he’s a distro slut). It was easy. All his favorites, Firefox, Thunderbird, Open Office, Impress, VLC he was using with XP (he bought the pack so he could have it in his native language) were found in Linux as well. As were non-free favorites Opera and especially SKype. Switching from Winamp took time through Amarok, Audalicious and finally XMMS2. Seriously audio developers… people want simple and BIG. Dont give me the iTunes full page look. name of song, time, slider for audio and back, forwards buttons and simple drag and drop playlist..EVERYONE wants their Winamp double sized.
Yeah, so that was easy.
Mom never used a computer until last year and the old laptop she has on the coffee table runs my trusty and reliable PCLinuxOS. It never has failed me in over 2.5 years. Wireless,video cards, never once did I have a problem. I am so over KDE3.5 now, it think KDE4.3 is gonna be buttah. but out of respect for Texstar, Im keepin friends and family on PCLinuxOS by default (a few who have seen my Mandriva KDE4.2.2 have asked for it specifically)
Mom knows how to Skype, watch web TV from her native country, read her gmail, use kopete to chat and plays a few flash based games.
in both cases, first priority: interface and buttons and text size and icons BIGGER.
Vista was the watershed event of me being a Windows fiddler hobbyist to a guy to tried Linux a few years ago and stuck with it to doing installs for friends and family.
I wasnt buying a system new or used that was gonna be running Vista so aunts, uncles, brother in laws weer warned that I wouldnt be able to come for some pie and tech support on some virus laden XP box.
I managed to change a lot of behaviours through the abandoment of Outlook-IE combo for Firefox/webmail and adding a simple free firewall like Zonealarm.
But Windows machines dont have to be virus infested to be time consuming.
Everyone got to use my Linux laptop customized for them (login username, bookmarks synched through Foxmarks. webmail access, IM, Skype) and were offered a dual boot install w/ KDE desktop and even the various packages which imitates the Microsoft desktop for those who feel less confortable.
A few loved the XP through Virtualbox thing I had on my laptop and my aunt has it for when he grandkids come over, they can plug into this Windows based piano game they can plug the USB keyboard in.
Yes, my 77 year old aunt uses Virtuabox as do three other seniors who have weened themselves off Windows but still need an app or two from ‘the old days’.
Two years later and my tech support and visits to family and friends and much, much less.
I kinda miss that now.
I dont miss having to rescue data with my trusted Linux distros after frantic phone calls, to clean malware or just deal with the normal usage of a Windows machine. But its family and youre the ‘computer guy’ and your sister in law makes great lasagna when you have to re-install XP and the husband grows his own fine Sativa, so it seems ok but that’s a lot of calls from uncle joe, sister stef, the brother of the sister in law who you met once for new years and on..
Sorry, no habla Windows or Office but if you want unlimited Linux support, Im your guy.
I checked my agenda and figured i cut back 80-90% of time. I know gonna and help some of them install programs like KDENlive for the nephews who want to make their own videos to put on Youtubes. The big probems with Linux seem to be audio problems and Skype video. That’s really the most common thing.
Oh and yeah, phrase number one ive heard from parents, aunts, uncles, inlaws and others over 65 “Can you make —- bigger? I cant see.”
Think big.
Excellent comment. Thanks for taking the time to write it. Great insight.
Great story rick. I myself have a computer repair business and have managed to convert about 14 customers to linux. Yes, I get less calls from them, but on the other hand, they are so happy to have a great running computer, I also get more referrals.
I once went to a customers house to replace the PSU that had died, (I previously set up a dual boot for them) and after I fixed it I asked them how the windows install was working for them. Reply: “we don’t know, we never use it”. I smile came across my face.
It is not hard to use a linux machine, it’s just not easy for the average user to set up. But when done by someone knowledgeable, it doesn’t get much easier.
@nightmare: yes, a properly set up windows machine can be a thing of beauty. However, I have yet to meet anyone that can keep it running good. Maybe your parents are the exception. When I go to someone’s house to visit, I usually wind up on their computer to check things out, and inevitably find it to be basically unusable as far as I’m concerned. If that is what you call easy, you can keep it. I still have yet to get one phone call from any of my customers that use linux. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Totally with you on everything you mentioned Wolfen…and good comments back to the moron @nightmare. Where did he go by the way??
Calling names? Shameful.
“There is NO ONE on the planet who knows how to setup a Windows computer and secure it better than I.”
Incredible BS remark. Wow, it simply absolutely says the world about you. An actual sign that you don’t know much. If your so conceited to think that you know everything, the moment that you concocted this foul notion is the moment you stopped improving. It literally, means you’re probably terrible. Probably the same as any average Joe who thinks the world of himself.
The rest of your site? Trash, garbage. Littered with amateur tips for nearly every kind of useless thing. First, it’s evident you aren’t a programmer, as a simple search of your site reveals. It also reveals you’ve done barely a thing with the command line, another mark of an amateur. Even your site is amateurish. Note, the only reason why I’m even here is because I stumbled it.
Yeah, you were probably good about 5 years ago. But now, everything about you and your “tips” are out of date. I chalk this up to, about 5 years ago, you probably gained that notion that you knew everything.
For example, AVG? Seriously? You have nothing on up to date freeware even. You have no articles on Comodo. You have nothing on Stardock. Nothing on Digsby. You don’t even have anything on email clients for pete’s sake! How the hell do you think you’re actually good? You have near zil on alternatives to your suggestions, which degrades your suggestions considerably.
You also, have barely a word on desktop enhancements. Enhancing user experience is a big thing. On that note, the biggest and far most would be Launchy, which you simple haven’t even got a mention. Even on your current adjusting mouse properties (oh, wow, you’re so pro to know there are mouse properties) you didn’t even mention changing the cursor using applications like CursorFX.
As for keeping a computer running well… Yes, I know how to do that. And in fact, I can set it up to do such as well. I can setup a computer to never gain/keep spyware cookies from browsing the internet, just for example. A VERY simple thing to setup, yet constantly ignored, even by “know it all”s like yourself.
My parents aren’t isolated stories. I do it often, with many computers. Just knowing how to make an initial setup, is not actually being good. Knowing how to make a setup run continually good IS the mark of somebody who knows what they are doing. In other words, you don’t really know what you are doing. Especially if you can’t even setup a computer for an illiterate user that can’t run smoothly for more than 3-4 months.
But you wouldn’t understand this. You still think you’re the best, that you don’t have to improve anything. And that’s exactly why, I can say, you’re nothing more than an amateur. I understand that I’m not the best, that I have room to improve. This is strict opposition to your “there is nobody better” attitude. You’re garbage, and when you learn that, perhaps you’ll actually be able to get better.
MORAL OF THIS STORY:
Properly setup and customized for an individual’s computing needs, Windows can be used successfully and easily by anyone of any age and computing ability. AND, the problems associated with computing under the Windows environment disappear.
You just don’t know how to do it.
Glad you made it back to the site nightmare. Obviously something is here that keeps drawing you back…even if it is me drawing you into a debate. And again, I say that you haven’t looked over the site thoroughly enough to see who the site is built for and why I do the simple tips I do. Actually, you don’t have to look over the whole site, it’s right in the header of my first page. Also, IF you would take the time to look through the site, you would realize that I AM in a constant state of learning which is what brought me to Ubuntu.
No, I am not a programmer…I don’t have the capacity to sit in front of one of these things for hours on end with no outside interaction looking at debugging code. Although I respect the heck out of people who can because they make it possible for me to do what I need to do on a computer. I am a physical therapist by trade and got into this business to help the normal computer users out there (85%+ of computer users) who have NO interest in programming, customizing desktops, tweaking firewalls, memorizing command line strings, and testing ever email client (which are dead by the way) under the sun.
They just want their computer to function, and function consistently, safely, and easily. That’s where I come in…the middleman between technology and those who don’t want to be technologists. They just want to use their computer as a tool to get a minimal amount of work done.
Oh, and if you have such a genius secret on keeping Windows systems up and running trouble-free with minimal input from the user, why don’t you share that information? Or is it because you are like too many other arrogant tech snobs who rather demean and criticize rather than help?
I am back simply because I taboo everything I comment on, and then check back a little while later to see if I get a response.
And I have looked through the site. Yes, I understand what it’s for. Easy solutions don’t mean best, for just a quick mention, but I certainly understand.
What came about, is why you brought it up to my first comment. It just didn’t simply refute anything I said, negate, or even detract. I therefore, took it up as a lead to your there is nobody better remark.
And certainly, yes, from my earlier searches I seem to remember that about 2006 you said you, found would be best to put it or had a good experience, with Linux.
For reference, I am a programmer, and one of the ones who practically sit in front of my computer all day. One note, email clients, are not dead. First, if you have more than one email address, especially with different domains, you will waste substantial time logging into both… furthermore, it’s harder. I want all my emails in one place. Then I can organize them all regardless of which address the originated to. Access offline.mmIt also keeps my internet browser and email, separate. A very good idea. If trying to access them from somewhere else, I can still of course go online to do it. The power of email clients are that they are local, but remotely accessible and synchronized. If you only use one email, the potential is squandered. But if you have two or more email addresses, not having an email client starts to be a bad idea. It’s just a cleaner way, in many regards.
The key, if you were wondering, and where the future will be, is in local, but remotely accessible and synchronized.
Secrets? I’ve shared quite a bit, a big portion of the info is spewed across the web piece by piece scattered among blogs and such.
First, as such, XP is dying. Compiling everything I know and putting it out there would come too late to the game. Linux eventually will become better than XP, although right now I still consider it a bit lower. Even though Vista is a new game, it’s already dead.
Second, explaining it all is just not that bloody easy. As in, “tweaking firewalls” is preciously actions that need to be done. And each action, must be customized on a per customer basis. Setting up Firefox to deny cookies is easy, making it deny bad cookies and accept the cookies the user wants suddenly becomes a task. The same with scripts.
Sure, someday, perhaps I’ll write up a big tutorial, laying out every step to do it all. I have posts containing cocktails of programs to use and function together, but setup is only the initial step. Tweaking is, the key. The very fine-tuning and tweaking are the hardest parts to easily explain and guide through.
I think you’ll find though, that you can never quite explain near as well, as you can just get on and do it.
I figured you were a full-time screen-head. Just have to keep in mind that the vast majority of computer users have zero interest in spending any more time in front of a screen than they have to…unless they are forwarding email, playing solitaire, or playing poker online. And yes, you are correct, doing something in person is way better than trying to explain, but unfortunately cloning isn’t possible yet. I’m glad we are reaching a more common space after our initial directives. Don’t be a stranger…I like to be challenged and pushed!
Forgot to talk about email clients. I used Outlook for years and Thunderbird a little too, but I have never been more organized, faster, mobile, freer, powerful and more ubiquitous than I am now with Gmail. I retrieve 5 different addresses in my Gmail account and can search, organize, and access that email from any computer, any time…including my phone. It started as an experiment because I was an Outlook junkie creating rules, filters, using Cloudmark to filter spam, and more, but I can twice as much work in Gmail in 1/2 the time I could in Outlook. For my money, desktop apps for the basics are dead…too much flexibility in being able to work from the web.
I agree with GMN on the mail client issues, and for the self-same reasons.
The latter half of the same reply (XP is dying, and even Vista is on its way out), simply highlights the built-in obsolescence of Microsoft software – for the need to generate sales, adding very little value to each upgrade.
So yes, I agree Ubuntu will (well I think it has pretty much) surpass Windoze; because it is not held back by commercial constraints.
Ah, certainly setting up email addresses and forwarding and such to make one online entity would work well enough.
To be honest, I hate Outlook, and Thunderbird proved to be garbage over time. Windows Live mail was nice, until the recent update bricked it for me. Postbox, has been very nice so far, and handles easier than normal. It still has a ways to go though, but it’s currently quite snazzy.
The first thing is, I hate online client looks. I just despise them. Their complicated and ugly. But of course, that’s really just a matter of opinion.
The next thing is, I’m a laptop user, and I have a very powerful laptop. So I don’t really need to access everything from an outside computer. For that matter, I’m not always online, having access to my email in an offline mode is beneficial at times.
For that matter, I don’t hinge on email. I use it from time to time, and I get them sometimes, but I guess you could say it’s not greatly important yet.
Speed wise, I have it sitting in Rocketdock, and I simply move my mouse to the top of the screen and pick it, opens up, checks my email, and does it about 5 seconds. Or I just leave it open in my notification area and it tells me when I get one.
Most important, is function. I very much like to keep my email program separate from my browser. I think this keeps productivity a bit more up on my side.
I think it just comes down to preference really, but with people like me I’m pretty sure desktop apps won’t be going for a long time.
“For that matter, I’m not always online, having access to my email in an offline mode is beneficial at times.”
Gmail can do that as well.
“I very much like to keep my email program separate from my browser.”
Keep a separate browser window open with Gmail up. Noe not only are you separating your email, but also your email-related browsing (links you click on in emails, searches starting from emails, etc.).
Good suggestions and rebuttals. I always wonder why anyone wants to look at email if they are NOT online.
Usually for reference purposes. I set up my gmail account for offline access, because I’m on a laptop. If I ever need to open it up and look at an email from 8 months ago, I know I can without needing internet.
Oh and with the onset of Adobe Air and other lightweight web-based programming languages, the general mindset is moving towards the cloud. Local applications will soon become extinct and we’ll begin to move to a centralized cloud structure with all of the websites and internet-based applications sharing information together.
@nightmare: It seems you are very pro when it comes to helpful apps and i am thinking about renewing my laptop so i will be compiling a list of applications that are necessary so it will take less time setting up the base system could you maybe post a link to a blog or a site or maybe just compile a list yourself of apps that are useful tweaks and stuff and maybe some essential apps (although I’m mainly looking for less famous useful tweaks to the OS) I will be dual bootin xp pro (dislike vista) and ubuntu
I emailed you a response Hjörvar. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes I agree , Linux is perfect for senior Citizens , and thats where it stops…
In all probability many of the “problems” were solved by changing from dial up to ADSL and possibly bu moving her away from the awful hotmail interface.
For someone who needs just the basic software then almost any operating system can work well and if they dont start downloading new software they will probably be OK
as I am now 63 I rather dislike the patronising suggestions that “seniors” are less computer savvy than their younger counterparts – in my experience as a trainer in a university there are technophobes in all age ranges.
I use windows and Linux but overall still find windows XP better looking, easier to use and with a better range of software.
Of course, installing Windows 7 and taking advantage of the robust UAC, you can limit what a user is capable of doing and instruct them to be weary if they get the “Admin confirmation” dialog.
Microsoft does seem to have made the UAC a little more workable with Windows 7. The problem remains, however, that users will need someone to help them configure and understand it….
I agree totally that technofiles and technophobes cross all generational lines. The point of the article is that, in my opinion and experience, most computer users (75% plus), use their computers for just a handful of tasks…all of which can be accomplished easier and more safely with Linux or Mac.
my conclusion from GMNightmare’s posts would be, that you need to know much more to achieve the same stability and useability with an XP installation then to do the same with Ubuntu.
So, while not impossible it needs much more work. And if you go for a fixing cycle every 3 to 4 months, you probably equal that additional amount of work needed to get the job done right.
—
Citadel.org; Groupware for the rest of us.
Exactly…more work, more expertise, but possible…sort of like winning the lottery for the average person.
I knew a guy who sounded just like GMNightmare, it turned-out he was a computer journalist and not any kind of programmer or engineer; but hey, he talked a good fix.
I’m not saying GMN is not a support guy, but he does sound like the journo guy.
The moral of the story is quite plain to see, I would have thought. I will spell it out: Windoze is full of redundant code, it is programmed for obsolescence and Linux is not; hence you get a ‘fire and forget’ system that runs fast and reliably on moderate hardware – the OS and most software is FREE, and updates are FREE. Quite moral I’d say.
The best argument in favour of Linux is simple arithmetics:
Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 $359.95 OEM $63.96
Ubuntu FREE
I also agree, I had a similar experience.
My Grandma was thrilled it came with so many more games, but the really cool thing is how few problems she’s had with it. She’s only had a couple problems with rogue mouse clicks, but those are easily rectified. My Grandma hasn’t looked back at Windows for months.
I think our experiences are more plentiful than are advertised…we need to keep spreading the word!
Great site, Rick.
About this GMSNightmare guy, or whatever he calls himself…
Guys like him are the commenter equivalent of Vista, bloated, slow, full of himself and easily dumped for something better.
What an ass – he comes across as either a 15 year old wannabe with no social skills, or as some kind of ego freak who never learned anything and is probably not capable of it. I hope you banned him – that would be the site owner equivalent of dumping Windows for Linux and getting back all the time you used to waste on idiotic Microsoft problems.
My favorite Linux distro is currently the ultra-lite, ultra-fast Puppy Linux, by Barry Koehler of Australia. Really nice work – and it just works.
Again, thanks for the great site!
MORAL OF THE STORY is: Linux is not some complicated OS that only geeks can use.
I’m pretty neutral in my operating system usage (or I like to think so, I end up running far more windows boxes than anything else – but more for practicality than preference). Generally, I figure that everything has its place and all OS’s can do all tasks – it’s just that each does some a little better than others.
I do believe, however, that Ubuntu is the OS for the older generation. Once it’s set up it’s virtually indestructible for older people, there’s very little they can accidentally do and it can quickly give a much simplified interface. With the right set of software installed, it’s a breeze for even the most technophobic OAP thanks to Linux having a nice range of minimalistic software alongside the more powerful kit.
Mostly, however, I attribute it to the “set up once, leave it to run” ability that windows still can’t achieve. I just can’t leave a windows box more than 6 months without it needing some attention.
I am neutral as well on OSs. I just want people to be able to use their computers without a hassle. Your comment was great solidifying that idea…especially the set it and leave it part. Thanks.
Rick! You don’t know how happy I became when I read this article. All my suspicions about computers were confirmed. I never had the chance to let a friend of mine who was having Windows problems to try Linux, not even the Mac users (those snobs). I thought that a good user, an OS, and a willingness to learn is equated to computer success. That’s what happened here. I was introduced to a lot of different computing concepts the past year by StumbleUpon and InfoTech class at school. I learned that Mac existed two years ago when I edited videos with them my freshman year, I learned Ubuntu is a phenomenal OS last year when I stumbled upon a page upon page of Linux stuff. I asked Canonical for a free Ubuntu CD and tried the Intrepid Ibex Ubuntu and I looooooooooved it. I got a few of my classmates to try it but they didn’t install it which was okay because they didn’t have their own computers. They told me it was great, though.
I did had a chance to get a senior running Ubuntu but I had a faulty CD… Her computer had a virus it messed her computer up so it wouldn’t boot. I had the Ubuntu CD that I wouldn’t have to call customer service to get a serial code so I wanted to use it. It didn’t work so I just put Windows on it and one of her other friends activated it for me.
I guess my point is is that people should know how they are using their computers and ask people who know what they’re doing to help them choose. Businesses try to cheat these people out while Linux does not. It only takes a little perseverance and a willingness to learn. Thanks!
P.S. Proof of my Ubuntu happiness visit my website it’s themed Ubuntu. 🙂
I too am amazed at how enthralled I’ve become with Ubuntu and other Linux installs. Windows works for the majority of people, but there are still too many people who don’t have the skill set or desire to learn how to keep it up and running properly and efficiently.
I guess the earlier you start with Linux the more familiar you become with it. I’ve started with a little BASH when I need to install stuff but otherwise, it’s soooooooo much more secure than Windows and easy to get programs (Applications>Add/Remove>click stuff). Only a few programs I have to visit websites because their freeware, not Open Source. I see open source as a way of the future people are just too stingy to embrace free stuff. Proof that open source has made it into households is Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird and Sun Open Office. I’m glad people know about them because it’s wonderful and sets a good conversation point about Linux. I’ve sort of become a Linux missionary (and I am a devout Christian) so whenever people tell me to help them with their Windows problem I ask them if they would like to try Ubuntu. That’s one way to increase Linux market share, as you have done. Bigger market share only promises problems such as viruses but I believe the Linux OS itself will always be problem free.
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.
Have a nice day
It’s so nice to hear about people using and being happy with Linux. Regardless of what anyone tells you, some of the Windows community is a bit prejudiced and highly critical of all things Linux (for no real reason). I use both because each OS has its strong points.
I recently started my own PC repair business and I have never repaired anything other than a Windows computer. But I keep a cache of Live Linux CDs handy with me so I can use them to repair those computers.
With the Live Linux, you don’t need the Windows repair console (except for registry entries). You simply boot up and use the Linux desktop environment to move and/or change files visually. And since Windows binaries don’t run on Linux, PCs that are seriously infected (or unbootable) run like silk while you are working on them. And of course, a Live CD doesn’t install anything so the Windows installation isn’t even touched. I actually prefer Puppy Linux for my PC repairs.
Your story is inspirational. It’s pretty typical of those who don’t know the difference between Windows and Linux to like Linux since they haven’t been exposed to and biased toward certain aspects of Windows. Now, if only more people were that open!!!
Thanks for stopping and by and I hope you use my site to print out tutorials for your clients. I too have learned to use Live CDs for troubleshooting Windows computers…works great. And Puppy works quick and easy on almost any system…I just have to remember how to disable the single click in it to make it even faster for me…I forget and end up doing too much back tracking because I open something instead of select it.
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
Thank you
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