Do your parents use Linux?

Paul · 2004-09-07 07:36:47

My parents use their computer to surf the web, write emails, and use quickbooks. Should I introduce them to Linux?

I only consider doing this because they have sensitive financial information stored on their computer. I worry that at some point, someone will hack into windows and gain access to this information. Am I worrying too much?

Are your parents happy with Linux? Do they have problems with it? did they even notice the change ?

robot5x · 2004-09-07 09:34:44

My dad reluctantly agreed to try linux a while back - I used an old red hat and set it up so that he wouldn't need to delve in to the system at all. nfortunately, he really likes downloading crappy programmes and installing them which he could do under windows but obviously found it harder in linux. He's too old to start learning new tricks so he gave up. It depends how motivated they are to learn something about it - if they're not then they'll find it difficult I think.

Moo-Crumpus · 2004-09-07 15:35:36

Unfortunately, my parents are to noob to please windows. They keep on aksing me fpor help with a document. Being asked, what kind of document, what app, they keep answering "It is windows, kid!".

Giving them linux may stop them, but think won't help.

delmonico · 2004-09-07 17:33:09

My parents use a Mandrake10 with KDE to do all their surfing, email, office stuff. My 5 year old sister plays around with the KDE Games (she even figured out how to start them trough the menu )

My mother has a windows2000 for her job (she is tax accountant and the german DATEV is some kind of mafia so they all have to work with their software and they refuse to support linux). But she will quit this job in the near future and then I can fire up fdisk and delete the last windows in my house

Dusty · 2004-09-07 18:22:57

My parents absolutely refuse to learn anything about computers. I don't know much about troubleshooting windows (except that it doesn't work...), so I set up KDE on Arch, told them how to check mail, browse the web, etc.

They've been using Linux almost as long as I have because I'm the one that tells them how to use the computer. They've been dissatisfied with all my attempts to please them (Windows 95, 2000, XP, Best Linux, Mandrake, Linux From Scratch, Mandrake) until now. Since I set up Arch, they've been quite complimentary with the stability and ease of use. My Dad uses Windows XP at work and claims that the KDE set up I have at home is much easier to use.

When I leave home (hey, ASAP, please!) I'll set it up so I can SSH into their computer to fix stuff. That will be much easier than troubleshooting windows over the phone, in my opinion.

The thing that defines my parents is how they use what I've given them without downloading and playing around. If they wanted to do that... I'd be working on a GUI frontend for pacman, just like everybody else. :-D

It is impossible for the non-initiated to set up a decent working environment, whether it is Windows, Linux, or Mac. Windows and Mac seem to be set up for people like this from the start, but its difficult to tweak. Linux takes a bit more work (on the part of somebody who knows what they're doing) to set up, but once its done, its done.

Dusty

filoktetes · 2004-09-07 19:20:23

Yes, I set up Linux on my dad's computer about one and a half year ago. He used Smallweak Hole in the wall for a short while, but something always went wrong, and I had to come and fix it.
Then I installed Mandrake for him, and it worked fine. He has never used a computer before, except for playing chess on my Amstrad CPC464 in the 80's. Now he uses the computer for scanning photos and printing them, ripping his cd's and making playlists for his parties and for banking.
About a year ago I discovered Arch, and you know the feeling, I thought the whole world should use it. And seeing that my dad's old Mandrake installation was very slow, I wiped out the Mandrake and installed Arch for him, and it works perfectly, and everything happenes twice as fast. My dad's very pleased.

So, my dad is a perfect example of where installing Linux is a good thing. He just wants to be able to do the things he needs, and doesn't want to experiment with installing new and obscure programs he finds on the net. And he doesn't want to connect new hardware to the machine. So I have set up Arch, so he can do that, and nothing more.
He uses Xfce4, with the panel filled with iconf for the programs he uses, and nothing more. I have even chmod'ed his ~/.xfce4/xfce4rc to be read only, since he once accedantally deleted an icon, clicking the right button instead of the left.

But, of course it all depends. If your parents are the types who constantly want to try out new useless programs, or very often buy new hardware, and expect it to work without needing to learn much about Linux, then they need something else, but they will of course also need someone who can help them after some months. I don't know how many time some of my friends have come to me, and asked me to fix their computer, because it's broken. And when I see it, I have to tell them that the only way to make it work is to reinstall, since they have hundreds of useless programs, installed automatically by hardware packages, or by pressing the yes button too many times while surfing, or as often is the case, just by using the computer.

So I usually don't recomend Linux for that kind of computer users, since I'm the only Linux guy they know, so they'll all come to me when a program doesn't behave like they want it to, but with the weak alternative, there are lots of people they could ask.

LavaPunk · 2004-09-07 21:03:33

Yep my parents are running linux. Used to run mdk 9.2 but after I used arch for 6 months and got tired of mdk not working I switched them over to arch with kde. Mom, Dad, Sis all use it easily although they still boot into win98 every once in a while...

Noir · 2004-09-27 04:31:55

mmmh I installed Suse Linux on the computer of my girlfriend's parents. Her dad only used Ksolitaire

Pajaro · 2004-09-28 09:45:56

I have 2 computers at home, one with arch and one with linux. At the begining, when I installed arch, my mother and sister kept using the windows computer, but now, sometimes they come: "have you finished with the linux computer? I want to do 'something' but windows is a shit" .

I've been thinking on how to make linux easier. I though about making a program that captures error messages of applications and if it knows the error it solves the problem, but what i've found is that right now it is impossible because there's no standard for error messages... HTML standard, Linux Standard, Desktop Standard, XML standard, programimg style standard... lots of standards but no error standard? :shock:

With an error standard the same error should have always the same answer, in any application. Now the idea is there... but who will make all the developers change their error messages? Especially if it is to make linux easier... they like to say "windows' out there for that"

dunix · 2004-10-06 08:24:56

Haha, make my dad use Linux [edit]

He can't even use Windows without screwing everything up...

Well i can't see it happen...

Getting more and more friends/coworkers to join the linux/arch wagon:)

Dusty · 2004-10-06 16:29:24

dunix wrote:

Haha, make my dad use windows..
He can't even use Windows without screwing everything up...

You've got a false premise here, that linux is easier to screw up.

My Dad can't use Windows without screwing it up, but since I set up KDE and Arch, he manages quite well. Unless my Mom starts giving him advice...

hudson · 2004-10-12 09:48:39

Well, I friends mom wanted something that works, so I told her about arch. she liked it so I installed it with fluxbox for her. Now, she is really happy and smiling all day long. Small things do make differents. She thinksg is so easy to use so a few days ago she asked me how to set up a server. I go like "w00t? why you wanne do that? She replies to me "Well, I have a digicam and all my photos are in my pc which I want to share with friends that dont live close". Well, I guess I have to set up a secure ftp server for her then and teach her to admin it...wat a challange. :twisted:

LB06 · 2004-10-12 12:50:59

My parents use Mac OS X panther for typing, surfing and mailing.

dunix · 2004-10-13 06:11:06

Dusty wrote:

dunix wrote:
Haha, make my dad use windows..
He can't even use Windows without screwing everything up...
You've got a false premise here, that linux is easier to screw up.
My Dad can't use Windows without screwing it up, but since I set up KDE and Arch, he manages quite well. Unless my Mom starts giving him advice...

Hehe Dusty might been a bit fast writing that post...

Alkimyst · 2004-12-20 21:13:39

yeah, they're slowly getting into it...
Just today, when I got home I had the PC booted up, on arch and with Firefox opened...
My dad: "I just clicked on that button there (shortcut to Firefox on the panel) and checked some sites..."

And he goes on to tell me I have new mail....(mail notification had popped up)

Who said Linux isnt easy? :twisted:

FoPref · 2004-12-21 02:09:49

I would install Linux on my parent's machine (they aren't familiar enough to computers to even get things done under windows without fuss; but on the other side they have a will to learn)...

but my mother needs her Word and she has to deal with .doc files for her work....

So I don't even try Perhaps I'm just too pessimistic. But now even a Canon printer was buyed and that one wouldn't print under linx. So I give up.

tmadhavan · 2004-12-22 08:45:24

I find OpenOffice compatibility for MS Office files to be very good - all my uni work is done in OO then converted to .doc or .ppt or whatever. Admittedly it's not perfect (and that's the uni's fault for forcing MS on me) but it's fully useable. Also, look out for OO2 which I believe is beta atm - sposed to have even better MS support.

No idea about printers.

I think my parents would be happy using linux, tho my dad doesn't trust how often I break my box tho. I try to explain it's me fecking about but I think he's a Windows bum for a while yet, at least until he gets b0rked by a virus. I think it's more a case of learning linux in the first place - once people are stuck with Windows habits it's harder to convert.

Abaddon · 2004-12-25 22:39:46

My mother use Linux to surf the net and chat on Gadu-Gadu (polish instant massanger). She doesn't know Windows, I didn't teach her :twisted:

My father doesn't need computer, so he doesn't use any OS

normc · 2005-01-19 18:56:35

I'm the parent here my kids 27 & 30 refuse to use linux they say it is too difficult.

Insight_45 · 2005-01-19 19:11:04

That is a weird and funny question.

My parent still have a hard time just to use the VHS recorder which they have owned for many years. Just too many buttons and options.

Forget about Linux or Microsoft. Even more, they will probably never use a computer in their life. They are only passengers besides a driver.
They can look at the display for video, images and listen but there is no way for them to touch a mouse or a keypad. Just too many buttons and options.

Maybe if they live long enough for 100% voice operated computers, without mouse or keyboards

thegnu · 2005-02-06 21:41:51

normc wrote:

I'm the parent here my kids 27 & 30 refuse to use linux they say it is too difficult.

Kid 1: I can't believe dad's always trying to get us to use Linux!
Kid 2: Yeah! What a loser.

(I actually think you're pretty damn cool)
Oh and if you're female, I misread your username :oops:

I'm actually trying to get both of my parents to use Linux. My mom's a little worried becase she has a photo printer and a digital camera, but I'm working on setting up a system that she'd like on MY computer so she will be reassured. My dad's ready, and I'm going to walk him through installing Arch over the phone. Now would be a good time to learn ssh, I suppose.

My dad actually just reinstalled Windows and he said, "My computer wouldn't get on the internet under Windows, but I booted whatsitcalled... Knoppix, and it went right on."

I said, yeah, that's Linux for you.

cactus · 2005-02-06 22:10:45

"My computer wouldn't get on the internet under Windows, but I booted whatsitcalled... Knoppix, and it went right on."

heh. I think that is how i will henceforth refer to knoppix...
"Whatsitcalled...Knoppix"

Gullible Jones · 2005-02-06 23:08:00

My parents are both Mac users. My dad does know enough about comptuers to get by, though.

darkcoder · 2005-02-07 02:41:33

My father will take a look to Linux, since he is very upset with Xp crashes, and it's activation method. And since usually he browse the net, I think there will be no problem at all.

punk · 2005-02-16 21:18:07

my mom's box is running arch + xfce4 + xdm + gaim + firefox
is all that she needs for now
the system is instaled on two old 486 hds 800mb (/) + 400mb (256mb swap and 144mb /home) and running on a p3-733 + 256mb ram

Arch Linux

#1 2004-09-07 07:36:47

Do your parents use Linux?

#2 2004-09-07 09:34:44

Re: Do your parents use Linux?

#3 2004-09-07 15:35:36

Re: Do your parents use Linux?

#4 2004-09-07 17:33:09

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#5 2004-09-07 18:22:57

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#6 2004-09-07 19:20:23

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#7 2004-09-07 21:03:33

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#8 2004-09-27 04:31:55

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#9 2004-09-28 09:45:56

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#10 2004-10-06 08:24:56

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#11 2004-10-06 16:29:24

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#12 2004-10-12 09:48:39

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#13 2004-10-12 12:50:59

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#14 2004-10-13 06:11:06

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#15 2004-12-20 21:13:39

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#16 2004-12-21 02:09:49

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#17 2004-12-22 08:45:24

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#18 2004-12-25 22:39:46

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#19 2005-01-19 18:56:35

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#20 2005-01-19 19:11:04

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#21 2005-02-06 21:41:51

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#22 2005-02-06 22:10:45

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#23 2005-02-06 23:08:00

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#24 2005-02-07 02:41:33

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#25 2005-02-16 21:18:07

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