How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

zazou · 2010-08-14 22:49:39

I hope this doesn't border too much on a Religious Question.

My parents aren't exactly technophiles or computer nerds. Neither of them have used a command-line since we stopped using DOS in the mid-90s, and they've settled quite comfortably into Windows. However, I'd like them to give Linux a try, for a number of reasons (security being a big one). And, if nothing else, it'll be that much easier for me to troubleshoot/fix their computer problems everytime they ask. (I mean, seriously, I can't even remember the last time I used Windows!)

Much as I love Arch for myself, I'm not sure it's a great fit for them. I don't think they'll be able to appreciate KISS, and they're not as concerned with running a feather-light-weight system as they are with having something that works with minimal effort.

Hopefully, some of you have gone through this before (as evidenced by the Do Your Parents Use Linux thread. Do you have any advice on what kind of a setup to create for them so that they have a good experience with the F/OSS side of life?

Some initial considerations, off the top of my head. (Feel free to disagree - these are just my gut instincts):

* Easy-to-use DE is a must. (Really - to them, the word 'bash' sounds like something violent).

* Comes with any necessary plugins/drivers (or is (Though I'll be on hand to help them out, I think they'll be more impressed if the setup Just Works without me having to intervene every time they want to watch a DVD or view a web page that uses Flash).

* Remote access. I live in a different state, and so I plan on troubleshooting mainly over the phone or by remote access.

* Binary packaging. Not that my parents will know the difference between binary/source, but I imagine they won't really want to compile everything from source anytime they want to use it, no matter how simple the GUI frontend may be. If nothing else, they'll notice the speed difference.

Updated/Added:

* Flashy Themes I know this sounds silly to post on an Arch Forum, but we're talking about people used to Aero in Vista. Having a few bells & whistles may help ease the transition away from Windows.

For those fellows who have successfully introduced their technophobic parents/relatives/friends to Linux, are there any other tips/considerations that you found helpful?

From this, I heard that Mint might be a good distro to try out for them, but I'm open to other suggestions. And, in addition to a distro, are there any utilities/programs/etc that I should make sure to set up so that it will work (relatively) seamlessly?

Last edited by zazou (2010-08-14 23:49:00)

karol · 2010-08-14 23:01:46

I've heard good things about Mint, so if you really think that's a good idea, give it a shot and report back how it went :-)

Usually you need a step-by-step guide before some basic things sink in, e.g. how do you print, where to click to start skype, how do you crop pictures etc.
I'm not sure if your parents need such treatment but often some hand-holding is required.

Stythys · 2010-08-14 23:12:07

seconding mint :]

Inxsible · 2010-08-14 23:37:37

Lubuntu seems to be getting good reviews also. Ubuntu based, so you still have the "GUI goodness" of a package manager.
Also install :
browser : firefox, chromium
video player : mplayer/gmplayer/smplayer or vlc
audio player : rhythmbox (maybe) or check out deadbeef (its simple)
office : openoffice
fancy it up with a dock/launcher, so that they don't have to go searching for launchers.

DeletedUser201201 · 2010-08-15 01:20:49

Well, I say show them the problems of the current operating system they use and propose a solution. My father was a huge Windows fan and I would always outline the problems of the OS everytime I was needed to fix the system of some failure. At some point the system started freezing for no apparent reason and I was called to fix it but I refused and proposed to install gnu/linux for him and let him try it for a week, if once a problem came up of some short I would reinstall Windows.

So I did install Arch which I am more familiar with, hooked up kde and other standard applications that he was using on windows, open office, firefox/chromium, etc. Once in a while I throw a "pacman -Syu" and the system still runs fine after a 6 months.

The experiment was to get him checking about the philosophy and the open standards. However, this point was a total failure he was no more interested on this things than he was before.

Anyway, it's not as difficult as it seems. I think it would be more difficult switching him to mac os x than arch and linux in general, once he got package managing (in theory) he had no problem to adapt.

fukawi2 · 2010-08-15 01:35:06

Another +1 for Mint, although unless THEY want to change, you're unlikely to be met with any (long-term) success. I managed to get my ex-gf's parents using Linux for 18-months or so (on Mint) but they "gave up" and went back to Windows.

Gullible Jones · 2010-08-15 02:03:38

I'd say, if they're a total technophobe or don't want to learn a new OS, don't bother with Linux. Instead set up Windows XP Pro with a limited user account and SRP.

This setup is very very inconvenient for developers and advanced users, because it makes you only able to install software from the admin account, and only able to run software that's installed by admin when you're running limited. On the other hand, it makes drive by malware installs almost impossible. Disable unneeded network services and install a decent firewall, and you're set.

Acecero · 2010-08-15 02:04:54

I think if you install Arch and set it up properly for them, they will be able to use it like any other Linux distro, since most people care about web browsing only. You would have better luck at helping them with issues than another distro that you are less familiar with. All you would have to do is periodically update, instead of having to worry about reformatting frozen distros to newer branches or versions.

Gullible Jones · 2010-08-15 04:13:12

That is a good point, rolling release distros don't have to be reinstalled, which is a huge bonus. You still have to update though, which is kind of a pain.

zazou · 2010-08-15 04:17:51

Yes - I have only had experience so far with Ubuntu (not Mint), but one thing that I do hear is that upgrading versions of Mint is best done by a fresh install, rather than than through the package manager. Is this true? I'd much rather be able to upgrade the installation with apt-get (or the like) instead of having to backup and reinstall.

ngoonee · 2010-08-15 09:04:13

I formerly used both Ubuntu and Mint, and really 'reinstalls' aren't all that bad, since keeping your /home means nothing much changes.

Of course, I got tired of them, but that was mainly a time and tedium thing.

zenlord · 2010-08-16 07:58:01

Updating Arch can be a pain, and troubleshooting that over the phone is a no-go. I have my grandfather on archlinux, but I visit him almost weekly, so updating his system is done then and there.

My uncle is on plain ol' ubuntu. The only thing I do for him is a 6-monthly system-upgrade, which has been painless so far - all other updates are done automatically.

To be able to help them out remotely, you have to install and configure sshd on the box, open up the firewall and install f.e. a dyndns-client. There is a wiki-entry on this subject available. The only thing that can go wrong at that moment is that there network fails.

xenobrain · 2010-08-19 00:41:01

I've recently switched my folks to Mint as well. It seemed a better choice than Ubuntu because of the codecs, Mint Tools, and extra vetting of the updates.

SolomonKull · 2010-08-28 20:12:37

Any distro with a clearly marked menu will work, really. Debian based distros are the easiest to use, from my experience (.deb installs with a double click etc). Place large icons on the desktop and label them "internet", "email", "documents" and "calendar" etc., and point them to the apps of your choice.

Any Debian based distro using Gnome should be fine for noobs. Ubuntu or Mint are the most common, but I also suggest OpenSUSE and Mandriva for GNU/Linux newbies. Both are very easy to use, although I have philosophical differences with them.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-08-14 22:49:39

How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#2 2010-08-14 23:01:46

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#3 2010-08-14 23:12:07

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#4 2010-08-14 23:37:37

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#5 2010-08-15 01:20:49

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#6 2010-08-15 01:35:06

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#7 2010-08-15 02:03:38

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#8 2010-08-15 02:04:54

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#9 2010-08-15 04:13:12

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#10 2010-08-15 04:17:51

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#11 2010-08-15 09:04:13

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#12 2010-08-16 07:58:01

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#13 2010-08-19 00:41:01

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

#14 2010-08-28 20:12:37

Re: How to ease a technophobe into Linux?

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