hell no if i could afford a mac i'd keep it for myself.... seriously thats a very very good idea!
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 12:27:07 +1300 Hugo Vincent <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Get them a Mac. > > > On 29/11/2004, at 12:09 PM, Derek Smithies wrote: > > > Hi, > > For the sake of the discussion, I will use the phrase, "my parents". > > In fact, I am referring to a potential new linux user, who maybe > > any age. The reason I ask, is that I have had this conversation with > > many people, and wondered what the consensus is. > > > > My parents have a win 95 machine, that is loaded down with avg etc etc, > > and cannot send email. > > > > what do you think would best suit my parents. > > semi computer literate. > > long term exposure to windows 95 > > notion of folders/directories is a bit vague > > > > they need a)email, b)webbrowsing, c)office. " > > > > Here is the sticky bit: > > However, given that > > a) they are in Invercargill > > b) cannot be bothered with joining a *lug group > > c) expect to have something that "just" works. > > > > > > Let me explain the requirements. > > They are in Invercargill, so a support trip is not easy. For that > > matter, > > they could be in Christchurch, but I cannot see them for the next 4 > > days. > > So, the actual amount of my support required better be low low. > > > > The are not going to joing *lug group to get help. No way are they > > going > > to download 10-100 messages a day, filter out the non useful answers > > etc. > > yes, filters "work", but they cannot be bothered with installing/using > > them. > > Worse, some of the answers are intensely time consuming. > > Video problems? Ah, go read www.xfree86.org, or, search google > > > > When you buy an appliance from the store, you take it home, plug it in, > > and it just works. Breadmakers, video recorders, cars take minimal > > effort > > to get going. > > Why is the same not true of computers? > > > > > > ================================== > > In an offline discussion, Nick made the comment:: > > > > yes its annoying that they haven't made a computer that just works yet. > > > > certainly microsoft is not the answer for them, given this post i read > > this morning on nzlug. > > > > http://www.linux.net.nz/lists/NZLUG/2004/11/0394.html > > > > Its that damn flexibilty thing, it implies complication. > > > > I wiuld try ubuntu, it gives them a straight up sensible defaults for > > browsing (firefox) , email (evolution) and it has OOo. They do not > > need > > to choose between konqueror, mozilla and firefox, nor between kmail, > > evo > > and mutt, nor between abiword, lyx and OOo. > > > > Its the sort of thing that would require a newer computer if they > > bought > > their last one with w95. Its also the sort of thing that you'd want to > > spend the weekend with them installing and explaining, but they should > > be able to grok firefox, evolution and OOo if they have used the MS > > fare. > > > > Are guis ever going to change? apart from getting prettier, the point. > > click, drag concept has been pretty constant for a while now..... > > > > ============================= > > Derek. > > > > -- > > Derek Smithies Ph.D. This PC runs pine on > > linux for email > > IndraNet Technologies Ltd. If you find a virus > > apparently from me, it has > > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] forged the e-mail > > headers on someone else's machine > > ph +64 3 365 6485 Please do not notify me > > when (apparently) receiving a > > Web: http://www.indranet-technologies.com/ windows virus from > > me...... > > -- Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
