(top posting since you've all read it by now!)
I've dealt with this problem several times. For me, it comes down to
intended use/user.
First question is, will he have a "windows only" requirement? At the
moment, the only ones I'm aware of are:
* games
* ATO!!!!
* share trading
In this case, you have to install windows and openoffice/firefox etc and
god help him. He WILL need support when his computer "needs cleaning".
The up-side is that he will just assume it's normal, so you won't get
blamed.
Second question: is he brain dead, or merely inexperienced. For my money
Macintosh remains the easiest system to run, and it's Unix. It's the
best way to go if he is really hopeless. Macs are also pretty.
Third question: will you give him on-going support? That makes it a
no-brainer. Since this is a commercial arrangement, you might suggest
that some of the money he will save by not having to buy software can be
put into some sort of support contract.
If it was me, I'd put him into Linux and tell him why. If he allows
himself to be persuaded by some "guru" mate, then that's his problem. He
might just as easily blame you if he gets a virus on his windoze.
Finally, going to windows simply because everyone else does it is
gutless in my view.
David.
On Sun, 2006-12-03 at 21:09 +1100, Sonia Hamilton 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.
>
> --
> Sonia Hamilton. GPG key A8B77238.
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