They complain about viruses, about the computer being slow, about annoying
pop-ups, unwanted programs and sometimes the inability to change the home
page of their browser due to some malware.
First of all, I do not provide "assistance" with proprietary software. Ever.
I offered my wife a cell phone so that I could install LineageOS + F-Droid +
... without the Google Apps. In this way, she is less victim of proprietary
software that she would be if she would have bought the phone herself (I do
not own a tracking device but she would not do the same). She sometimes
complain that I do not want to "help" her with "installing the Uber app" or
"having WhatsApp (that she installed herself) put data on the SD card". That
would not be "helping" her, from my point of view. I only help with free
software. Including installing free software in substitution of
malfunctioning proprietary software.
At the same time I see that since using free software all those problems have
been replaced other, more high quality issues.
What "high quality issues"? If you are specific (in a new thread for
clarity), somebody here may help you.
How can I introduce free software to my family and friends?
A transitive phase is important to a successful migration. You can install,
on the present operating system, one free software program a week, for
instance. A program that will be available as well on GNU/Linux: Firefox,
Thunderbird, VLC, LibreOffice, Pidgin, GIMP, Inkscape, Audacity ... are big
ones. Part of them probably cover 90% of the needs of a random home user.
But learning about the remaining 10%, more specific programs have to be
sought. And you should help the user with difficulties she faces. Office
file compatibility may be a big one here... Once installed all relevant free
software available on Windows, the next step is to install GNU/Linux. With
double-boot (less frightening). But GNU/Linux should be the default. And
ithe transition is easier if the desktop interface is similar to the previous
one. Trisquel's default desktop environment is great for that.
But it is essential to introduce as well the free software *philosophy*. A
user who understands the injustice of proprietary software will not surrender
to it whenever more convenient.
For the closer ones, I am thinking of buying libreboot with Trisquel
computers.
That is a good one... if you first make sure that they will actually use that
computer. In particular that they have nothing against refurbished
computers. I also frequently help my family with buying hardware. With no
OS and Intel graphics (for computers). Supported by LineageOS (they would
not use an older phone supported by Replicant) for cell phones. I have spare
Wifi adapter with the AR9271 chipset (supported by ath9k_htc, hence by
Linux-libre and Trisquel) to give them.
