On Sunday 03 December 2006 19:29, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Here's an ethical question for you. I have a middle aged friend who > wants to "learn computers"; he's never used computers before (he's a > builder). In exchange for some work he's doing for me, I'm going to > install everything, get him connected to the net and teach him how to do > email, use the internet, write basic documents, and whatever else comes > up (eg playing music, watching videos). As a builder he also wants to be > able to submit documents to councils - I haven't been able to pin down > the format required by councils yet. > > Do I install and teach him 'doze/M$ Office or Ubuntu? Or, setup dual > boot and teach him both? Or, install Ubuntu and Cross Over office? > > The Linux lover and advocate in me says "Linux, of course", but is that > ethical? What I mean is that some time in the future I mightn't be > around to help him, then he'll be at the tender mercies of other > friends, PC shops, ISP phone support, etc, who probably won't know > Linux. If he goes to an internet cafe or reads a newspaper article, > he'll also be stuck in a 'doze world. I can point him at SLUG, but is > that really helping him? > > On the other hand, with Linux he'll get everything extra for free, won't > have to learn about nagware/cracks, won't be stuck in the "upgrade > treadmill", won't have virus problems, and generally have less > problems... > > I'm not trolling here - this is a serious question - imagine if you were > in the same situation with a friend/parent, and weren't going to be > around for ever to help them.
I found that the nuances of Nortan, not opening attachments etc etc was much beyond the ken of my 76 YO father-in-law, my similar aged parents, the 86 YO mother of my mate. The each have a linux box with years of trouble free use. Father-in-law, this moment together with this SLUG mail, sent me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2P8NAsOwZg and signs his mail "I love linux". The 86 YO mother does mail, browsing, infinite card games. I've not heard from her re computers in 3 years. I'm certain which direction I'd take ... James -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
