I installed xubuntu on a 60+ year old man's laptop. It was surprising to see him go from typing "www.google.com" in the yahoo homepage search field to searching for and installing packages on the software center. He needed help when he updated the kernel but he has taught himself a ton of things.
My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
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Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#12The same experience here. My parents also use Ubuntu now (firefox, Libre office). The main issue with Linux is, some one needs to install and setup everything for them. Finding and installing that missing wifi driver is not something that they can do. Windows installation is breeze, just pop-in the disk and it will install everything for you. Hope pre-installed ubuntu systems get common.
> Windows installation is breeze, just pop-in the disk and it will install everything for you. Actually, in the majority of cases your OEM or your IT department does this. It's not uncommon to have missing drivers when doing a clean install from the stock image on the retail DVD. (Disclaimer: I have some history with this as I used to work in the team that created Windows Setup.)
That was true back in the xp days but I haven't had to manually hunt down drivers in years. Although I still manually install my graphics drivers since the ones you get through windows update aren't near as current.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's true, but I do have to point out that I recently gave a mac mini to my mom before my dad started using the Ubuntu laptop. I went that direction rather than upgrading her PC from Vista, so it's cost them at least two sales. I realize that means nothing in the grand scheme, but I still feel it's a powerful anecdote given that my parents are "average" computer users.
Interesting. I wonder if your father resorted to the Ubuntu laptop because your Mom refused to give up the mini :P
Yeah, that's very possible. All I know is that neither of them have had to call me for help so far.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#14I find this is especially true when comparing to the mess that is Windows 8. Just finding the power button in that OS is a nightmare.
It's also interesting to see that it was Ubuntu, presumably with the new Unity interface. It's not something I personally like or even find intuitive, but it looks like it's fairly easy to pick up even for non-technical people. Along with the push by Valve to support Linux, I really hope this increases take-up of linux on the desktop.
Sent from my Linux desktop. :)
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Windows installation is breeze, just pop-in the disk and it will install everything for you. Actually, in the majority of cases your OEM or your IT department does this. It's not uncommon to have missing drivers when doing a clean install from the stock image on the retail DVD. (Disclaimer: I have some history with this as I used to work in the team that created Windows Setup.)
That was true back in the xp days but I haven't had to manually hunt down drivers in years . Although I still manually install my graphics drivers since the ones you get through windows update aren't near as current.
Depends a lot on your hardware. I've had the most problems with network drivers. With 7.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#16The only real trouble with Linux is possible driver issues (caused by trying to shoehorn an OS onto hardware for which it wasn't initially designed). If more OEMs would put Linux onto laptops directly this wouldn't be a problem. It's still tough to find a good, decently priced laptop OEMed with Linux though. I can't get my hands on the Dell XPS with Ubuntu pre-installed in my current country of residence...
Please define "shoehorn an OS". Linux generally runs on most modern hardware and arguably is a better general purpose OS than Windows.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#17I find this is especially true when comparing to the mess that is Windows 8. Just finding the power button in that OS is a nightmare. It's also interesting to see that it was Ubuntu, presumably with the new Unity interface. It's not something I personally like or even find intuitive, but it looks like it's fairly easy to pick up even for non-technical people. Along with the push by Valve to support Linux, I really ho…
Agree completely, I feel like it would have actually been harder to teach my parents windows 8 than the systems they're using now. Trying to explain the difference between the metro screen and the desktop just sounds like a nightmare.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#18Linux Mint is actually a very easy and natural transition from Windows.
A few years ago, I installed Linux on my parents' desktop (dual-boot)[0] and told them that they were "forbidden" to use any other computer for web browsing, document editing, etc. I told them that this would be more secure, and that's all it took to convince them.
I figured that, this way, at least I could fix any of their computer problems remotely (over ssh), instead of helping with Windows on the phone.
It's been 2 or 3 years now, and they've had zero problems. I haven't even needed to ssh in except to do periodic software updates (which, even then, are superfluous for their purposes).
[0] My dad's work requires some very specific Windows-only software
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#19Linux Mint is actually a very easy and natural transition from Windows. A few years ago, I installed Linux on my parents' desktop (dual-boot)[0] and told them that they were "forbidden" to use any other computer for web browsing, document editing, etc. I told them that this would be more secure, and that's all it took to convince them. I figured that, this way, at least I could fix any of their computer problems remo…
I think Mint is a wonderful distro, always love using it. I'd set dad up with that, but he's made so much progress with Ubuntu that I don't want to upset the apple cart at this point. Maybe in a year or two.
Re: My dad unexpectedly uses my Linux laptop to get real work done
#20The only real trouble with Linux is possible driver issues (caused by trying to shoehorn an OS onto hardware for which it wasn't initially designed). If more OEMs would put Linux onto laptops directly this wouldn't be a problem. It's still tough to find a good, decently priced laptop OEMed with Linux though. I can't get my hands on the Dell XPS with Ubuntu pre-installed in my current country of residence...
Please define "shoehorn an OS". Linux generally runs on most modern hardware and arguably is a better general purpose OS than Windows.
Support for Optimus is horrible. Even if you get it all working, you still can't use both the LCD and an external monitor seamlessly. (i.e. you can see a desktop on both, but you can't move windows from one to another)
You CAN do this if you turn off Optimus and just use the NVidia card... but it cuts battery life down by 40%... :-/