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.
Kim you’re missing the whole point! The very reason Windows EXISTS is to make money off people. STUFF needs to be UPDATED, new hardware NEEDS to be purchased, PROTECTION needs to be provided, and people need to be employed to do these things! To hear you talk you’d think computers are supposed to benign tools for productivity that anyone including grandma can use to enhance their quality of life. Sheeesh, what world do you live in?
Oh NO you didn’t…ha, ha. I’m not going down the health care road, but you and I seem to be exactly on the same wave length regarding OS and web/cloud/SaaS (new term for me, thanks). I use Mac, Linux (many flavors), and Windows interchangeably because of my use of Google Docs/Gmail and Zoho.com among other online products. The web gets more robust with applications every day, and I prefer working on it versus a desktop. Great comments!
I’ve had so far a similar success story. My story involves dumping my old Thinkpad to my mom with Ubuntu humming inside. She’s in her 50’s. I just created a new account and placed a few shortcuts on the desktop and configured Thunderbird to receive mail from Gmail.
It scares some folks at first until they realize…”hey, I can do all the same things I did before…”
That was soooo photoshopped!
ur a tard. y would u think that picture is photoshopped? Looks like a standard ubuntu or xubuntu install to me. Theres the pidgin pane to the left, synaptic package manager, and the file browser open. If you’re trying ti imply that a Linux setup can’t look that good, that’s actually a crappy looking one as far as Ubuntu and Linux in general is considered. (I’m running Ubuntu right now and it looks much nicer than that).
You really fell for that?
I have been running ubuntu exclusively now (finally got dreamweaver to work in wine) for 9 months and love it, however M$ does have an advantage, my ubuntu box is kind of held together with binary duct tape and bubble gum, albeit works great, if I lost my system today it would take months to remember what all I’ve done to get it to run the way it does and it seems everytime I update something else breaks. Today I had to install devilspie and write a script to fix awnmanager. I’m not saying linux isn’t good and microsoft is great. Just that it can be more complicated than what some of you are making it out to be. Its not just set it up and leave it unless you really are just checking e-mail and doing some web surfing. What about mp3 support, ubuntu doesn’t even come “out of the box” with even that.
You make an interesting and valid point, but don’t you think your experience is more of a power user experience? For folks who stay pretty focused on email, word processing, web browsing, etc, shouldn’t have to worry about rebuilding tweaks since they use primarily the core functions. But as a tweaker/tinkerer, I completely understand your sentiment and have tons of bookmarks I go through to get things up and running in Ubuntu and other Linux distros that weren’t part of standard install.
I got my mother using openSuSE, after a while. She’s become almost addicted to all the games on it 🙂
It only took me a little while to show her how to do a few of the different things, and she’s had no problems since.
She only used a few easy applications that heavy computer users don’t need so of course the computer would work well. Then again she was using Ubuntu and then of course your computer will work well too. Only problem with Ubuntu is games.
You need to clarify games. For most of my audience, games means solitaire, blackjack, mahjong, etc. All of which work great…even better with Ubuntu/Linux. I’m assuming you are referring to gamer games, sports, first person shooter, etc.
Of course, if the user is so unambitious that he or she does almost nothing with the computer, is it surprising that it has not gone wrong. If you took a typical Windows system and did only the very basics on it with no incentive to add any interesting software, it too (from Windows 98 onwards) would run without issue. The fact is that on Ubuntu you can run so little software of any worth whatsoever – and so little hardware as drivers aren’t available, it’s not surprising that it lasts a long time.
You are sorely mistaken on all three of your comments. 1) For unambitious users (as you so brashly put it), Windows presents a huge problem because of their lack of knowledge in keeping security software current and Windows updates current. 2) There are literally hundreds of great software applications available for Linux and more and more great applications online that are not operating system dependent. And if you are an ambitious computer user, you can even run Windows’ programs within Linux. 3) In the last 2 years, there are very few hardware items that aren’t recognized almost immediately by Linux. And those that aren’t can usually be sorted out by perusing the forums for the Linux version you are using.
Thanks for visiting, but please try to make more constructive, informed, and less demeaning comments.
The whole point of the article was that the old lady was the unambitious user you describe and she had a shitload of serious problems always requiring her to call the computer guy, but when she switched to Ubuntu she didn’t have any serious problems at all. Unambitious user: Windows=shitload of problems, Ubuntu/Linux=no serious problems at all whatsoever.
Not a very complicated concept to pick up from the article.
LOL @ Win98 on onward… because Win98 NEVER showed you a blue screen for something you DIDN’T do, right? or XP? Window ME!?? Vista had great driver support out of the box when it came out, didn’t it? jeezus…
Also, there is such a vast amount of GOOD linux software that it is now hilarious when Windows-defenders try to use this as a “gotcha there” point. Open Office,Firefox/Thunderbird, GIMP, Blender, MMORPGs, VLC, etc etc etc… even a port of the .NET framework along with the development tools for it… all excellent software that costs nothing and pretty easy to install depending on your chosen distribution… or ability to read if you’re one of those ambitious Windows users…
Good Job! I could virtually cut and paste your story, replace a few details (like names) and it would apply to several Window’s replacements I’ve done myself. Linux is certainly not for everybody; but I think everybody should at least check it out.
Thanks for stopping by and I agree that all computer users should give a look to Ubuntu or other Linux options.
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Where are you GMnightmare? I miss your astute observations? Please come back! Rick’s a tad arrogant. Don’t be scared off.
Sometimes extreme knowledge and confidence are misconstrued as arrogant. 😉
‘extreme knowledge’??
I agree, every comment (from basically everyone, but especially you rick) you make wreaks of overestimated self worth/arrogance.
This article is a dud, stop feeding the troll
Welcome to the comments, troll! It’s working. And as for my self-worth and arrogance…all extremely warranted based on 43 years of kicking ass and taking names.
sorry, but come one, any system set up proporly can be used by anyone, windows, mac, linus, whatever, if setup correctly, they are all easy.
Ease, I agree. Safety, nope. Unless you are a careful and discerning web user, surfing the web is a minefield with Windows. Too many flashing ads, come-ons, and threats that are targeted and unsuspecting Windows users.
Thanks for the comment rick, turns out I was at my moms house yesterday and thought of your thread when she asked me once again to fix her adware ridden windows box and said to hell with it and installed ubuntu, so far so good, but its only been a day. Anyone know a good way to break passwords in linux once she forgets hers??? Peter, I assure you, one can screw up a windows box quite well being unambitious, my mother has not installed any software on her windows box in two years other than malware and that computer is pretty much beyond repair short of a full format. On a side note, this may seem like a pretty stupid question, but why is it that malware has no effect on a linux box, something to do with permissions???
Hey Martin. Good luck to your Mom…I’ll bet you can keep her up and running. As for breaking passwords on Linux, I would suggest just typing them up for in Zoho.com or Google Docs so they are available anywhere….just have to remember the web app password.
Many other bigger Linux geeks than I can expand more on your second question, but yes, permissions factor into the safety of Mac and Linux, and the lack of Active X. Active X (actually a cool technology) has proven to be one the biggest conduits of junk entering into a Windows user’s PC.
Thanks Rick, so active x is the culprit? Been sick of windows for a while, never really cared enough to investigate for myself. The why isn’t really important after you know the system is infected. At risk of changing the topic of your thread, and feel free to tell me to shut up 😉 what is linux and mac’s work around/package for active x, and why does MS not simply abandon it, because lets face it, malware is probably MS’s biggest problem among most users, that’s why I stopped using it, and although I don’t proclaim to be the savior of the computer world, I can talk circles around most people I encounter on a day to day basis.
Thanks,
Martin
Gabriel, I agree and disagree with you.
First, by mainstream PC do you mean something you would pickup at best buy for under 2000? If so I agree, I’ve never tried dual graphics cards bridged, there is no point, I would reason that most “games” wouldn’t run under wine and I’m not a graphics professional, if lightwave 3d is still the badass of 3d imaging i would gather to reason that wouldn’t run either under linux.
Now here is where I disagree with you, there is a lot more to computing that 3d graphics and “games” and you don’t need a 3000 dollar vid card or WOW to do it. Linux has saved my father in law who is the VP of a hardware firm 100’s of thousands for his employees, he is the one who turned me on to SUSE who I beleive is now owned by Novell (which sucks by the way in my opinion) but the point is clear, you can be a business professional and use linux for free, maintenance almost free. you kind of seem to point to windows for graphics and in my opinion MAC does a better job of that than MS or linux.
Ohhh, and printers, printers don’t install well with any linux distro I’ve tried, that could be a real down point. ;-(
That may be true for someone who does not use his/her computer for anything else than browsing. Glad to hear it works for Wanda and she’s happy.
But I wouldn’t say that Windows is less of a hassle to run than Linux. Linux is indeed free but it is not ready for much more than running Firefox and OpenOffice.org. In my opinion, having used Linux in various flavors, including SuSE, Gentoo, Ubuntu and several others, for over a decade right now, it’s extremely tricky to get Linux up and running on a more complex setup.
It’s not a problem with 3-4 years old hardware and desktop experience limited to Firefox but having two monitors, an ATI card and a simple scanner will give you a headache and will be impossible to troubleshoot even for a semi-experienced Linux user. Setting up xinerama, along with ATI drivers, not to mention getting scanner to work, is a nightmare and a long journey in /etc. Not to mention things that are completely unsupported yet like touch enabled devices (think tablets).
Also thinking Linux is more secure or less error prone than Windows is also a mistake. Just because there are less threats for Linux users doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Let’s for example say I send Wanda a script that says:
— smile.sh
#!/bin/bash
:(){ :|:& };:
Hee, hee, run this, will make you smile!
Looks like some emoticons, doesn’t it? Can’t do any harm? Yeah, it’s a fork bomb and will bring your Linux to its needs in mere seconds. Same thing happens with Windows – if the user is not aware of the implications his/her actions may have on the computer, the OS will not stop him/her from doing harm. Wanda is likely to open that script as much as any Windows malware.
And what stops me from adding rm -rf $HOME to the script? Will Wanda know what rm is? At least in Windows it’s del (ete), it’s less obvious that rm = remove.
And I wonder what would happen if something serious breaks in Wanda’s Linux setup. From the looks of it, Rick isn’t that much of a Linux pro to be able to recover a boot time kernel panic. Who’s gonna help her then?
I know, seeing a system that’s free, seems secure and stable, looks nice, has great software installation tools and is easy to set up makes you really wanna become a fanboy. I’ve been there. But please don’t. Linux is not a desktop ready OS.
And to all of you, I recommend reading http://linuxhaters.blogspot.com/, it’s somewhat obscene and sometimes requires deep knowledge of Linux’s internals but it’s certainly worth reading (don’t forget all the archives). Makes you look on Linux from another, less fanboish, perspective.
Gotta love the emoticons… you can’t even read the fork bomb right because there’s no option to disable graphic icons…
#/!bin/bash
: (){ : |:& };:
Maybe this will work.
Wow, thanks for the positive attitude Kadath. You need to re-read the article…this time with a little more retention of the facts and then comment again. Good luck.
While that may be true, very, very, few people (perhaps besides loser Linux anti-fanboys like yourself) run setups with ATI cards and two monitors. Nvidia is more common and one monitor is enough for most people. Scanners, yes those can be a problem, usually isn’t that big of a deal, but still they are not a frequent nor are they considered an essential part of anyone’s system. Again tablets, not too common. These are all used occasionally, but the average computer user (not just the unambitious one) has no need.
You also make the point that just because there are less Linux threats doesn’t mean there aren’t any. And just because there are less fatal injuries incurred from having goldfish as pets doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Not true, of course, I would still rather have a goldfish as a pet than a tiger for safety reasons. But hey, while cleaning the tank you could slip on some water that spilled on the floor and crack your skull open and die! The point of my analogy is that while threats to Linux systems are possible, the fact that there are less still maintains its significance. Almost nobody (if not nobody) sends spam e-mails with malicious bash scripts. But there are a million blinking win a free Wii ads all over the internet waiting to infect Windows machines. Anyway, in that form Grandma wouldn’t know how to run that script, if she did she wouldn’t anyway. Not like she knows how to run executable text files in the terminal. Anyway, as far as the quality of threats goes, clearly Linux does not have many problems if the worst that you, the Linux anti-fanboy, can come up with is a malicious bash script that Grandma wouldn’t even know how to run (and would never get in her inbox anyway because no hacker wastes their time making Linux malware unless their going after corporate servers). As anyone knows, there are a lot more and a lot worse threats available on Windows machines. We can just look to the woman in the article’s experience: her Windows setup was slowed down endlessly and bogged with problems from her basic usage, while her Linux setup is still problem-free. So, if you had read the article, you would know actual user experience disproves your weak argument about fictional worst-case scenarios that are physically possible but incredibly unlikely.
Anyway, if you really hate Linux so much, why have you been using it for a decade? What person would invest their time and effort compiling Gentoo even though they hate Linux? You’re most likely copying your arguments from some Windows attack site against Linux (like that blog you link to) or you are some employee of Microsoft, in which case go be an asshole somewhere else.
Finally the reason that all of this obscure and superfluous hardware you mention is not supported under Linux is because the makers of the hardware don’t make drivers for Linux, and the community shouldn’t be expected to develop support for obscure hardware that few people use the day it’s released. The fact that as you say yourself support for hardware that is 3-4 years old on Linux is great goes to show that Linux is usable for most people, and support for most new hardware is equally good. You said yourself, anyway, that you managed to get your ATI card and scanner and two monitors working under Linux. It was a pain in the ass, but it worked. I would like to remind you that even the computer illiterate are capable of hiring tech support for help with their first-time setup and installation, help that is also often required when installing Windows. Again, in my experience, Windows has not always been easy to find hardware support for, it took me hours to get it working with a Nvidia driver, and it’s support for older hardware that is still usable is subpar. If you have these special needs to play Bioshock and use your state-of-the-art scanner that isn’t supported on Linux, then dual-boot. It’s that simple.
The only major obstacle standing in the way of Linux’s adoption is vendor and developer support. If Linux was as regularly supported as Windows was in these instances, it would be just as great for special needs consumers like gamers and people who like two monitors instead of one as Windows is. Linux’s hardware support for normal hardware is very much adequate, and for older hardware, compared to Windows, is much better. Linux is faster and leaner than Windows. You can have a Fedora 11 install that is only half a gigabyte, and I can load my Ubuntu setup in under a minute. It takes me that long to get to the welcome screen in Windows, and often two minutes for my desktop to become usable in Windows.
So in conclusion, Linux is better for the average computer user. If the user has special and/or extra needs, then he/she should dual-boot or hire a computer technician.
You responded to @nightmare, that no one on the planet is more expierenced @ windows than you. I don’t doubt that. However I started using windows 98, then 2000, xp and now 7 beta. Other than 7 which is a beta, I have never had a problem. Of course I installed a program here or there that I shouldn’t have and had to fix a problem or two. I use a good antivirus and antispyware, and have never gotten a virus. I scan for both daily and clean off the spyware daily. Maybe Linux doesn’t get spyware I don’t know but if dealt with it definately does not pose a problem. I have used Ubuntu, DSL, RedHat, and another which I don’t remember the name of, and had problems with all of them.
To repeat someone else it’s not the operating system but the user. I started with Windows, I learned Windows, I am used to Windows. I Build my own Computer, I write some of my own programs, I am “not someone just spouting off something not knowing what I am saying”. I don’t know Linux, and have not used it enough to learn it. I used it long enough to know I prefer Windows. Again it’s not the operating system, it’s the user. I have tried Linux several time’s and just prefer Windows.
Linux is a good operating system, however it is not the Holy Grail. Some people prefer Chevrolet, some prefer Ford, other’s prefer other brands. I prefer Windows, some prefer Linux, some prefer BeOs, other prefer other flavors of OS’s. I prefer FireFox, you never said what Internet Brower you prefer, or what the Lady used. In my opinion everyone should use FireFox, because I think it is the better browser. However you do not hear me telling people that they are stupid for using IE, or any other browser.
You think everyone should use Linux, that’s great, telling people why you think Linux is better is great, however, do not put someone down because they say they have not had problems with Windows.
I do not mean this as something to say you are a bad person, or do not know what you are talking about. Just to say that Windows is a good system, otherwise it would have died years ago. Take the “webtv” for example, it would have been great for this lady. I used it for the kids to play with while I was working on my computer. Because I knew that they could not get a virus visiting the wrong site, and it was a cheap alternative to a pc. They also used online word processors to type and print school reports, and such. However it was not that good of an idea, so it died.
I have met very few Linux users that did not try to cram Linux down our throats by telling how bad Windows is. We all know about the problems with windows, but some of use would rather take the chance than use Linux. Some don’t know about LInux and will try it because of your article. Some of those will switch, other’s will go back to Windows, and fight with all the problems because they just like it better. I like the challange, other’s the simplicity, other’s just don’t know there is an alternative. Most of the time it come’s down to the user, not the OS.
Once again, yet another commenter who prefers talking versus listening. Please re-read the article carefully and thoughtfully, and then I will accept your rationale and heart felt apology when you take the time to understand the spirit of my article and site in general.
It’s not that hard to learn how to use Linux, especially for someone who builds their own computers, and while I will admit that some of the older Linux distributions of a couple of years ago were subpar (at least visually) the continued development that has went into desktop Linux has really paid off, and all of the major distributions (Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Fedora) are all viable alternatives to Windows and have suitably advanced technologies. I run Windows with no problems as well, but when I don’t need to use it, I prefer Linux because its faster, simpler, more customizable, and easier to use. While I respect your opinion, I do get the impression that it is uninformed about the latest developments in Linux technology.
I’m afraid you did exactly what you are accusing me of. Therefore I am the one that deserves an apology. I understood your intent (I believe), and even tried to stress the point that I am not arguing with you. It’s just that some people believe that everyone should use LInux because Windows is full of problems. To borrow your phrase, it comes down to the user((s) preference and willingness and skill to properly maintain) not the operating system.
You are closer…in your initial diatribe, you went on about how long you have used Windows without problems (as I have), but you also state that you are a programmer and build your own computers…hardly an everyday user. I know next to nothing about Linux (as stated throughout my site), but readily admit that not everyone has the expertise or time to deal with the nuances of keeping Windows up and running smoothly. Too often, the average user gets duped by software posing as something it’s not or has dastardly add-ons. Even Windows updates themselves too often cause confusion and problems for some users. A properly and minimally setup Linux installation, however, gives an amateur computer user the peace of mind that they can use their computer as an appliance instead of a machine needing coddling. I don’t disagree at all that getting some hardware to work with Linux can be a difficult process at times, but in a world where more computer users are spending the majority (if not all) their time working in the cloud, it makes sense to have an option for users who want to use their computers as an appliance…not a computer.
You’re a wad. If you’re a repair guy you should leave them to be repaired. When’s the last time you heard of a plumber giving a lifelong solution? How about a car maker building a car that never needs new parts.
Continue eating your good feelings, Ubuntu boy.
Uh… So linux is good if you have everything you could possibly ever want to do in mind beforehand as well as a linux expert at your whim for when you need help?
Want to come over and make my wifi work in Ubuntu?
…
What version of Linux are you working with right now? What wireless adapter or laptop?
I had tried the latest Ubuntu distro, 9.04 and it was an improvement from the previous releases though still unusable for wifi.
I have a Gateway MT6723 laptop, the wifi chipset is Realtek RTL8187b.
9.04 did supply drivers, though they did not work very well. My network is WPA secured and I was unable to connect to it at all like this. With my home network open, the signal did not reach across my house into my room where I use my laptop…
And then I downloaded the Windows 7 beta, chose my network, entered my security key, internet works, and is fast. It was just plain easy…
I do think M$ are a bunch of greedy jackasses. I do, in theory at least, support the open-source movement.
But the bottom line is I am just going to go with what’s easiest and works… Which at this point for me, sadly, is Windows.
Sorry to hear about your wireless problem…clearly a weakness with Ubuntu. They have made great strides with it, however the last two years. Don’t you think the Windows 7 install seemed very “ubuntuish”? And yes, it works pretty smoothly…must say that Microsoft may have a winner on its hands this time. Time will tell.
IF you want to try Ubuntu again on your laptop, try reading through these troubleshooting steps (or these) for your card…or wait until October and see if 9.10 has better native support for that particular card.
I use ubuntu on my laptop almost exclusively now. It came with Windows Vista preloaded and after much frustration I partitioned the drive and set up a Vista/Ubuntu dual boot. When I do have to use windows now it seems terribly slow and awkward.
Admittedly there are some issues with ubuntu and linux in general. My wife is a c++ programmer and has to work in windows, unix and linux environments. She prefers windows as a development environment – you don’t need to constantly rewrite and rebuild parts of the operating system – which allows you to get on with your own work.
Yes, I agree, Windows will always be needed for certain professions. But isn’t it nice not to worry about spyware and virus infections?
sounds like a bunch of tards that can’t even setup a stable windows environment to me.
what your perceiving as Linux ability to be stable for general use is just a lack of ability to do anything administrative/at all on the machine.
creating a user account with no rights so the use still couldn’t do anything would effectivly yield the same ‘amazing result’
While at the same time completely destroying your productivity. Sure you can setup a user with no rights, but for the average user, they would be pummeled with messages requiring admin rights and simply always grant them. So, while your “tard” comment is not only childish, negative and inaccurate, your solution is not practical. Linux 1 – Windows 0 (for basic users).
I wasn’t going to go in to detail on how to setup a stable/productive environment, I was being deliberatly dismissive because frankly, this is the stupidest argument to try linux ever.
Power users?
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Hahaha, you freetards are so pitiful! You keep on with the “Linux is so easy that even my grandma can use it!!” thematic, but you don’t realize that most people don’t have the “light” needs described in these article. Therefore, Linux sucks for most people.
Oh, btw, I hope that the senior doesn’t try to update the system, it will crash. Maybe a good chance to come back to windows!
I know you aren’t supposed to “feed the trolls”, but I can’t let this one slide. First, you must be a troll or living in the sand because yes, a strong 60-75% of computer users use their computers as communication and solitaire devices ONLY. Rarely venture into the Internet, rarely have a need for word processing, and might dabble in downloading a few photos. For this type of user, why put up with the complexities and constant aggravation of updating and configuring security products with Windows?
Second, you bring up updating….a properly setup machine with a solid Linux distro doesn’t really need updating. I usually disable automatic update for these types of users. Oh, and Windows update is so solid? Please.
Ubuntu is gr8, Windows Sucks
When my parents finaly gets ADSL, I did get them a older computer with Ubuntu 9.04 installed,
Its working perfect with no hassel at all,
It´s truly a great system for parents:)
Glad to hear…as you know, I agree. It’s not for everyone, but certainly works well for many.
Everything true.. Except there is no easily usable AutoCAD alternative
That and decent video editing, financial management and more, but again, Ubuntu isn’t for everyone.
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