Yeah, at one point I suggested getting her a cheap Netbook or something,
new(ish) and running Win*, but the old man doesn't want to spend
anything on it (except a little time). He has some computer equipment he
doesn't need any more, and feels it's a shame to throw it away, and
maybe can help an old friend in the process. Maybe I can persuade him to
just donate it to some reuse/recycle outfit, and figure out something
else for her, perhaps an older Wintel notebook or something.
On a Linux box, the friend would be locked out of the Admin (root)
account, and could just do regular unprivileged user things. Email and
Web surfing would be the only activities. She wouldn't be able to do
much damage to the system, and would probably never even think about
deleting files, much less try to install any new programs. She has no
previous computer experience, so she isn't going to care if the screen
looks like Windows or like Looney Tunes. The downside is that 7 months
or so a year, the system has to be absolutely bulletproof and
rock-solid, as there will be no one to help, or to do updates (at least,
if it's Linux). It's almost like putting a system out in the middle of
Antarctica (actually it's in the backwoods of Maine, which is almost the
same).
It might be a good idea to get her some cheap Win box or Netbook, and
let my father gain some experience in Linux first before trying to help
others with it. He really isn't looking to take on another OS, and would
be just as happy to let Linux drop, as Vista is sufficient for him. It
would certainly make dealing with the (probable) WinModem and (probable)
WinPrinters a non-issue.
On 7/30/2010 5:42 PM, Ed Nisley wrote:
trying to set up an old PC (10 or 12 year old Compaq
[opinion]
Kick that junker to the curb and get something from the
current millennium.
Having futzed with several PCs from that era, it simply
isn't worth the aggravation of trying to ram a contemporary
distro into not enough RAM with not enough CPU, then keep it
running with no connectivity.
For the price of three or four tanks of gas, get a perfectly
serviceable netbook / low-end desktop / off-lease Dell that
won't have any of those problems.
Yeah, as an intellectual exercise, you can use an old
junker, but *why* take on that much aggravation?
Oh, and the new box will come with Windows, which solves all
the compatibility problems, too...
[/opinion]
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