[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I've had similar experiences, I have put linux on for my parents, 3 guys at work and quite a number of other people. Usually this is after their existing OS dies under a pile of virus's worms etc, but a couple where just plain new users. If you approach it the right way, and explain that most people will tell them that windows is somehow better, then they fair just fine. Everyone I have converted to date, have loved and stuck with Linux, despite their friends telling them they are mad. My brother in law actually got told not to let me install Linux cause it is not stable and just crashes all the time (this from a windows user!)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
In saying all that, it really does depend on the person. There was one person I installed windows for, and that was my grandmother, she lives just too far away for me to give her tuition on sending email etc etc, so she goes to community computer classes, and of course they use windows, so for her it was right.
My opinion, is, only install Linux for him, if you are willing to finish the job, ie make sure EVERYTHING he is likely to do is already set up. Make sure all video codecs work, set openoffice to auto save in .doc and .xls format, put flashplayer 9 on as well as java etc etc. Even install dvd shrink (wine is fine, you dont need crossover), I normally put dvd shrink on for people as the evolutionary line dictates that as they get better, they will want to do the cool stuff their friends are doing, I also make an icon on the desktop that runs a script to run dvdbackup, cause dvdshrink just does not cut it for decryption these days.
You need to find out everything he is going to use the computer for, and if Linux can fit the bill, and you are willing to set it all up, then definitely install Linux. Just really hammer home, that he cant install his friends software, and that he is immune from viruses etc, that his windows friends have to put up with.
People I help with their windows machines get me back on average once every six months, usually after paying someone else to help them not long before. The ones I install Linux for (with no one else to give them support) I see at worst, once a year.
One person wanted to have windows for one program (myob from memory) so I ran windows inside vmware player, so they don't have to reboot, and keeping a backup of the image, they never have to worry about viruses etc, just choose the other image when windows eventually dies.
My 2c TuxtaPS, despite popular belief, I have found overwhelmingly that newbs find Gnome far easier to pick up than KDE - Not to be political, just a sincere observation.
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