Free, simple OS

You're comparing testing out linux to your (presumably) 10+ years of prior knowledge on windows. Of course it looks unfamiliar.
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Unfamiliarity isn't the issue - straightforwardness is. The fact that I had to learn command prompts to make anything work properly. The fact that I never managed to activate something as simple as FTP protocols despite extensive searching on the forums. I was constantly plagued by driver issues - getting audio to work properly with one app took me days, whereas in Windows it's a matter of 'click, click, done'. Do you want to install this program? Yes. That's what a non-techie needs.
 
I have to agree with The_Techie, I think people generally find Windows easier because it's more familiar.
I have run Ubuntu and it was really awesome.

The only reason I still run Windows is for software compatibility.
While I'm prepared to learn how to use a new OS, learning new softwares is just too much effort for me
 
cerebus said:
Unfamiliarity isn't the issue - straightforwardness is. The fact that I had to learn command prompts to make anything work properly. The fact that I never managed to activate something as simple as FTP protocols despite extensive searching on the forums. I was constantly plagued by driver issues - getting audio to work properly with one app took me days, whereas in Windows it's a matter of 'click, click, done'. Do you want to install this program? Yes. That's what a non-techie needs.
Click to expand...

To get an FTP app*:

Menu > Install software** > (search for FTP) > Install.

Click, click, done.

No need to know that you need Filezilla or whatever program it is, no need to search online or download.

__________________________________________
* Being linux there are more elegant ways of FTPing, but just assuming you want to install a standalone FTP app.
** Not in front of ubuntu at the moment, so this is from memory. It might be Add/remove programs or something else.
 
we really need one thread titled The Battle of the OSes where we can defend and trash talk all the other OSes. Just so threads like these can focus on the matters at hand.

CathJ I would say go for which ever distro you are most comfortable installing. Seeing as once your gran has it she will just be clicking on the the stuff on the desktop.
 
Ubuntu FTW!

Seriously, you can't get easier than that. All she has to do is boot into the OS, then click one of several icons on her desktop and she is A for Away.

Come on, if my 5 year old kid can use Ubuntu to play a game, a Granny can use Ubuntu to send an e-mail or get on the Internet.

Don't let some anti-linux advocate complicate the issue. Ubuntu is fine for this old lady.
 
I have no idea of the specs... it was a laptop that her son used, and passed on to her when he was in the country over christmas. She didn't even know it was a laptop, she thought she had to get a monitor for it!

My dad got involved because he's helpful, and I got involved because I know more about this stuff than he does. The son just dumped the laptop and disappeared off overseas again.
 
I, too, agree with The_Techie...

Mark Shuttleworth put it best when he said that the ones who will benefit most from Ubuntu are those with VERY LITTLE computer knowledge and those with A LOT of computer knowledge. The ones who are in between get frustrated because they don't understand how the background mechanisms work, and they aren't willing to put in the hours to figure it out. Those people should stick to what they know, whatever it may be (Windows, Mac OSX, etc).

However, for those who have very little knowledge of computers, they won't mind either way. They won't be able to set up Windows either, and if something broke on Windows, they wouldn't know how to fix it. Likewise if they needed to install new hardware, configuring the devices would not be an easy task on Windows.

I agree that there are some compatibility issues with Ubuntu that many average users find frustrating, but a wealth of information is available on the web (especially at ubuntuforums). And if your hardware is supported, then there are NO problems.

I've installed ubuntu on... um... upwards of 20 - 30 different computers with various hardware configurations, and have never found a deal-breaker. The main issues are with unsupported wireless cards, strange sound setups and (until recently) ATi drivers.
 
CathJ said:
I have no idea of the specs... it was a laptop that her son used, and passed on to her when he was in the country over christmas. She didn't even know it was a laptop, she thought she had to get a monitor for it!

My dad got involved because he's helpful, and I got involved because I know more about this stuff than he does. The son just dumped the laptop and disappeared off overseas again.
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You could probably start by inspecting the machine (especially on the bottom) for model numbers, etc. That will at least give you an idea of what to expect. If it's Intel-based, you're pretty much sorted
 
UBUNTU is what you are looking for, comes with firefox and mail. To install apps you just use the "add/remove" app and can find most things with it.

Also ubuntu has the biggest support group.
 
I'm not anti-Linux at all - I really wish I had had a better experience because it seemed like it had a lot of potential. But I just don't think it'll be suitable for someone who doesn't know computers. She will find herself constantly running up against problems that require some specialist knowledge. But anyway I'm repeating myself - you must just try it out and see if it works for you. I may be making a big deal over nothing. She will probably never worry about the things that irked me. Just hope she never has to deal with a command line.
 
sn3rd said:
You could probably start by inspecting the machine (especially on the bottom) for model numbers, etc. That will at least give you an idea of what to expect. If it's Intel-based, you're pretty much sorted
Click to expand...

I haven't even seen it yet, so I'm really working in the dark at the moment :) I'll get a chance to inspect it this evening, and start from there.

Edit: I just popped over to Lifehacker, and the top story is "Ubuntu Pocket Guide Available" :D I'll take that as a sign.
 
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cerebus said:
I'm not anti-Linux at all - I really wish I had had a better experience because it seemed like it had a lot of potential. But I just don't think it'll be suitable for someone who doesn't know computers. She will find herself constantly running up against problems that require some specialist knowledge. But anyway I'm repeating myself - you must just try it out and see if it works for you. I may be making a big deal over nothing. She will probably never worry about the things that irked me. Just hope she never has to deal with a command line.
Click to expand...

What could possibly go wrong if CathJ sets the computer up and has a Thunberbird, Firefox and Open Office icon on the desktop? And renames them Internet, E-mail and Letters? All her grandmother has to do is double click on each one of them as she would do in Windows. There is little need to even update the computer after that. What is it that CathJ's grandmother could be doing post install that will cause her grief?
 
cerebus said:
I'm not anti-Linux at all - I really wish I had had a better experience because it seemed like it had a lot of potential. But I just don't think it'll be suitable for someone who doesn't know computers. She will find herself constantly running up against problems that require some specialist knowledge. But anyway I'm repeating myself - you must just try it out and see if it works for you. I may be making a big deal over nothing. She will probably never worry about the things that irked me. Just hope she never has to deal with a command line.
Click to expand...

Why would she need to deal with a command line? What problems would she run into? If she has almost zero knowledge of computers, she will struggle with problems no matter what OS she uses, WINDOWS INCLUDED.

And if things are set up for her, then I really don't see her running into problems.
 
milomak said:
What could possibly go wrong if CathJ sets the computer up and has a Thunberbird, Firefox and Open Office icon on the desktop? And renames them Internet, E-mail and Letters? All her grandmother has to do is double click on each one of them as she would do in Windows. There is little need to even update the computer after that. What is it that CathJ's grandmother could be doing post install that will cause her grief?
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Yeah, you're probably right. I'll be interested to hear what happens actually. I think I was trying to use it at a much deeper level than she will need to.
 
There is only one solution that will satisfy the liddle old lady, the helpful; daughter-in-law, (?), and all the other weirdos who would have the Tannie use Wine, FFS:

WINDOWS 3.1
:D:eek:;):p
 
plazma said:
There is only one solution that will satisfy the liddle old lady, the helpful; daughter-in-law, (?), and all the other weirdos who would have the Tannie use Wine, FFS:

WINDOWS 3.1
:D:eek:;):p
Click to expand...

No, the solution is that you should read the thread. We aren't saying the old lady should use wine (but if we did, what would be the problem? Once it's set up, all she has to do is double-click). CathJ was asking about wine for herself.
 
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