Filed under: Linux, OpenOffice.org, Open Source
Switching your family and friends to Linux
by Chris Brentano May 16th 2007 at 12:00PM
Last weekend at BarCamp Portland, I gave a brief talk on switching family and friends to Linux. I hear you asking, why would you want to do that? Well, for a number of reasons really: cost, principle, maintenance, all of the above, or any reason what so ever. In my case, my father's work PC was a constant source of trouble for him (and me). So, with his agreement (and my assistance), he made the switch to Ubuntu Linux. So far it's been a success, barring a few minor problems (printing envelopes from OpenOffice, for example). It might also be good to note that my own personal affinity for computers does not, to the best of my knowledge, come from Dad (thanks Mom!).
However, I don't want to give the whole story away. Instead I invite you dear readers to take a look at my presentation slides. Do you have family or friends that you have given thought to switching? Have you already switched someone? Let me know your experiences in the comments. I'd also enjoy any feedback or additional ideas that you may have.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bryan said 1:59PM on 5-16-2007
I use Windows and Ubuntu about 50/50. I wouldn't dare force less technical people onto Linux at this point. Setting up a wireless PCI card on my Linux Media Center box took forever the other day...I actually had to reboot under Windows, connect to the internet, print out the "hack", and then reboot into Ubuntu to fix the problem.
Reply
Peter said 1:57PM on 5-16-2007
I would switch to Linux at home, but being a network admin at an all MS shop, my time is better spent working with Windows.
The reality is that for most people who spend 99% of their time at the computer on the Internet, Linux will do everything they need right out of the box
Reply
matt said 2:13PM on 5-16-2007
I've switched my wife over to Ubuntu, we love it. She loves it cause it does everything she wants it to, its simple and it just keeps working.
I used the live cd to make sure the wireless network card worked, and that was so simple to setup.
The wireless in win2000 used to disconnect itself like 30 times a day, in ubuntu it works perfectly...
Honestly she's been running that old computer with ubuntu for 3 months and I've only had to deal with a "problem" like 2 times. One time I had to restart it for her, the other time it was an open office issue that was easily dealt with.
I'm a huge fan of what Ubuntu has done...
Reply
Mark MacLeod said 2:19PM on 5-16-2007
That was a really informed and well-balanced presentation.
Well done.
http://www.markmacleod.com
Reply
David Hall said 6:05PM on 5-16-2007
I have taken Ubuntu for a test drive using the Wubi installer here: http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/index.html.
It's a great way to try out Ubuntu without blowing up Windows in the event you want to back to Windows.
My overall impression thus far is it's great. I've had a few little hiccups but nothing major
Reply
Nick said 3:47PM on 5-16-2007
I would say ubuntu has made linux 'family friendly' the basic user can get almost everything out of it that they use windows for. The basic user uses the internet to surf the web and send receive email. other than that, I can only think of people using open office and some media programs. Ubuntu has great variety. I use ubuntu server for my web server and I use xubuntu for an older machine I've had for close to 10 years now. It's been really nice so far, no issues at all - plus I have my own geek things right on my computer like cvs, ssh, ect.
I would guess that the basic user has no clue about windows so I say what's the difference, you mid as well save them a few hundred bucks for OS, and they won't be blindsided by the HUGE number of viruses and vulnerabilities out there for windows.
Don't get me wrong I use windows, but since I've switched to linux for my web server, I've had less worries and problems.
Reply
westudi said 6:05PM on 5-16-2007
I finally gave Ubuntu a shot a week or so ago. I had it installed for about 7 hours. It would be great for people who just need the the software that is bundled with Ubuntu, but beyond that Windows is still much easier for installing games, and the occasional odd program. I love the idea of linux, but for now I will remain a Windows guy.
Reply
Ritesh Nadhani said 9:27PM on 5-16-2007
Not related to this article but which software/tool did you use to make the presentation for the web. Its pretty neat!
Reply
Chris Brentano said 10:18PM on 5-16-2007
Hey Ritesh,
I used S5 - it's a XHTML/CSS/JavaScript slide show format which is public domain. All the slide content is contained in one XHTML file, and then you can adjust the fonts and colors in the CSS. You can check it out at http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/s5/
Enjoy! :)
- Chris
Reply
wasexton said 11:58PM on 5-16-2007
My mother lives 800 miles away (this can be a good thing) and I was constantly repairing her machine after the usual malware reared its ugly head. 2 years ago I switched her to Ubuntu and, other than upgrading the distro when I visit, the maintenance time I was spending is over.
The only issue that we have had was when her printer died and she when out and purchased one without consulting me first. Of course she purchased the cheapest one in the store that had no linux support so it had to be swapped.
My life is much easier now. Grated, she mostly just uses her pc for web browsing, email, word processing, photos, and family tree. However, Ubuntu has done the job well and I would recommend trying to make the switch.
On another note, my next pc upgrade will also include a switch to Ubuntu as well.
Sexton
Reply
Serguei said 1:24AM on 5-17-2007
I find linux very usefull for the average user. Its easy. Ofcource, it didnt suit me because I need to use applications not capable of running on Linux (3ds max, Maya) without the use an emulator (If the emulator can emulate OpenGL. But I am certainly thinking of switching my parents over to Ubuntu, because what they currently have, is nothing but problems with windows.
Reply
Huw said 2:50AM on 5-17-2007
A friend of mine bought his first PC, very low-spec, a few months ago. Here's how it went:
"My new PC is slow and clunky. Why?"
"Because you're running Windows, which amongst many other flaws, places irrational demands on your hardware."
"Er...right. How do I fix it?"
"Take this Ubuntu disc...."
A few months later, and he still couldn't be happier. He doesn't miss Windows at all, in fact he's very glad to be rid of it. His PC runs quickly now, he can do everything he wants to, and after I explained how security in Linux is different to Windows, he feels much more secure.
Reply
s1oan said 2:59AM on 5-17-2007
I installed openSuse on my borther's computer and Ubuntu on my dad's computer because I'm tired of removing spyware from windows. Before that I had to clean those computers montly. Now that they have Linux I don't have to fix their computers any more! :-D
Reply
superdx said 4:00AM on 5-17-2007
I actually installed Vista on several of my close relatives' computers, and they little more than surf the web and check email. I also put in AntiVir (free anti-virus that updates itself) and SpywareBlaster, both of which I use personally on XP. I don't use Vista yet personally simply because there are several applications which my clients use which don't have Vista support yet (SAP, Oracle, etc.)
I fail to see the point of installing a less than popular OS (i.e. Linux) on people who don't know any better. It's like making them eat soy burgers and not telling them simply because you take a stand on not eating beef.
Reply
jbarr40 said 6:07AM on 5-17-2007
I would love to be fully on Linux,but for the printer and a few other problems.
Cato
Reply
jbarr40 said 5:54PM on 5-17-2007
I believe that if I can use my printer and network in Linux,I will be using it totally.
Once the Printers compatibility problems are solved,then Linux will take off like a steam engine.
Cato
Reply
Rick said 6:14AM on 5-17-2007
First off, I'm not ignorant. I have used Windows for about 10 years or more now, and I tried Linux (various distros) many times. I have to admit that Ubuntu really is a unique distribution, not because it's much different software-wise, but it's because the community (and hype) around it. It makes it comfortable and exciting to use and explore.
I have to agree with the first comment though. Why is it so that people want to convert others to Linux? I'm aware of their Open Source philosophy, but it doesn't make sense in that people use computers to do tasks and if they're accustomed to Windows, then let them be. From my experience on the office floor, probably 10% of the people will be able to configure Linux. 100% of them know how to use Windows.
Now a personal comment: OpenOffice is great but it doesn't work as nice as MS Office. It's a comparison that's just as annoying as the Gimp-Photoshop comparison.
Reply
dave said 8:41AM on 5-17-2007
I want to make switch for my parents, but issues with Talk Talk broadband provider and compatitibility with theo ADSL modem is putting me off jsut now. I use Win(yuck its for development and testing) mac and variuos linux distros. Unfortunately having a lot of trouble with FC6 and ATI drivers at present. All my machines use ATI Graphics and there is some what ropey support at present for this. Another factor in slowing down my progress to move away from Windows.
Reply
Clive said 10:21AM on 5-17-2007
I always hear how great linux is and every few years I try to install it on one of my computers (three times now). Every time it has been an unmitigated disaster. I really want to try it but I have been bitten way too many times and I just don’t have the time to waste especial when other than cost I have never had any real problems with windows. Are the latest releases of linux really as good as people say or are people trying to convince themselves that they have done the right thing? I really honestly would like to try it out without it blowing up in my face.
Reply
Lane Lester said 12:10PM on 5-17-2007
When it came time for yet another XP reinstall on my wife's not-very-old Dell laptop, I switched her to Kubuntu (KDE is much better for Win users, I think). She occasionally reboots to XP to play Kyodai (nothing in Linux comes close), but the several Linux solitaires have minimized that. We both have used OpenOffice for years in both Windows and Linux, so that was no problem. OO is great for docs, sheets, and presentations.
Reply