Do your parents use Linux?

DStein · 2010-10-10 14:55:38

Both of my parents use Linux because about three years ago, for each of them, when their computer got yet another case of the clap I told them it's either Linux or they could find someone else for their computer needs. It actually took that sort of ultimatum to make the switch, but other than a power supply that went bad and an old CRT that finally blew a relay, neither has had a significant problem since. Mom likes KDE so she's on Mint KDE and Dad likes Gnome so he's on Mint Gnome. I'd like to get both of them on Mint Debian.

Tiigon · 2010-10-15 15:07:50

I managed to get my mother to use Ubuntu

Beelzebud · 2010-10-15 19:37:00

My mom and dad are perfectly happy using Windows 7 Home edition, so I just leave them alone about it. After all, it's about choice.

nxarmada · 2010-10-17 00:58:51

just over a year ago I switched my parents from Windows XP to Linux and they dont regret it. they love how fast and secure it is.

So it was easy for them to use and items worked out of the box I used Linux Mint.....I am thinking about installing Arch soon onto there computer.

My dad caught on real fast and found alot of Linux versions of the windows programs he liked and loves the linux versions better.....Openoffice, GIMP, Inkscape.

My mom spends all here time on Facebook and Frozen bubble LOL

akephalos · 2010-10-17 05:33:33

DStein wrote:

I'd like to get both of them on Mint Debian.

I'm actually following Mint Debian for a while and intend to upgrade my parents' computers to it. But first, the main maintainer - my brother who's more altruistic - has to make the move, he wants to get rid of Ubuntu but said that Mint inherited its flaws and Debian is too rough/geeky to be practical for him.

toad · 2010-10-17 08:33:33

akephalos wrote:

DStein wrote:
I'd like to get both of them on Mint Debian.
I'm actually following Mint Debian for a while and intend to upgrade my parents' computers to it. But first, the main maintainer - my brother who's more altruistic - has to make the move, he wants to get rid of Ubuntu but said that Mint inherited its flaws and Debian is too rough/geeky to be practical for him.

I've got it running on virtualbox - there appears to be absolutely nothing geeky about!

It is all preconfigured, updates can be done with clicks rather than CLI commands, it is quite superb if you just want a functioning and reliable computer without having to keep up with releases. I recommend it wholeheartedly to newbies.

akephalos · 2010-10-17 14:27:37

toad wrote:

I've got it running on virtualbox - there appears to be absolutely nothing geeky about!
It is all preconfigured, updates can be done with clicks rather than CLI commands, it is quite superb if you just want a functioning and reliable computer without having to keep up with releases. I recommend it wholeheartedly to newbies.

There are still many things I can't recall right now that don't "just work". For example, there are no mirrors set in /etc/apt/sources.list, but only for security updates, IIRC. Besides, to add mirrors into Debian's Synaptic one needs to write the config lines, while Ubuntu offers a dialog, where options can be chosen from a list and/or checked. This is one of the things that frustrates and (more importantly) _discourages_ for the average user, Ubuntu does this automatically, it also sets up the desktop for daily usage, while Debian doesn't do that. I use instructions written down by myself to install and configure Debian, without them I could not manage it that easily.

One other problem I recall - and I stumbled upon again several months ago with installing the last version of Debian Testing on the machine of my brother-in-law - is the Network Manager in the default GNOME desktop. It simply does not work (static IP). Using the official documentation on the website is the way to go, but that assumes an interest in the command-line tools and an actual Internet connection.

toad · 2010-10-17 14:48:02

Thanks for the feedback, akephalos

I'd consider all of the above stuff the bog standard user wouldn't want to know about anyway (as in: repository? wtf is a repo, reposithingy for? Do I need it to write an email? Oh no, it is sooooo complicated! Or: static IP? When I pee there is nothing static about it, thank you very much!).

frabjous · 2010-10-17 14:48:23

akephalos, are your comments true of LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) as well, or just regular Debian? I think they were discussing the former.

Last edited by frabjous (2010-10-17 14:52:29)

akephalos · 2010-10-17 18:45:20

toad wrote:

I'd consider all of the above stuff the bog standard user wouldn't want to know about anyway (as in: repository? wtf is a repo, reposithingy for? Do I need it to write an email? Oh no, it is sooooo complicated! Or: static IP? When I pee there is nothing static about it, thank you very much!).

Yeah, just the static IP issue is something that people with average knowledge about computers can set-up on Windows, Ubuntu and Mac without knowledge about the system itself, just using the details from their ISP.

Note that the connection issue is rather related to the malfunction of Network Manager (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22netwo … ot+work%22, http://www.google.com/search?q=%22netwo … roblem%22), just that Ubuntu improved it so that its basic functions actually work - IME, the last time I tested it.

frabjous wrote:

akephalos, are your comments true of LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) as well, or just regular Debian?

My current post and the previous one consist in my experience with the regular Debian. The other one refers to my hope that Mint Debian will be a solid and predictable system without the rough edges, so that I can install it to my parents as well.

toad · 2010-10-17 19:23:55

akephalos wrote:

Note that the connection issue is rather related to the malfunction of Network Manager (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22netwo … ot+work%22, http://www.google.com/search?q=%22netwo … roblem%22)

Hm, had a quick check on my virtualbox. But first off, which DE would you use? I am asking 'cos the first link is for KDE, yet you are referring to Ubuntu. Anyway, assuming you would take the standard Gnome I've got the following screen shot for you.

Unfortunately I am not sure which manual settings virtual box uses or how the interface in the guest OS works otherwise I could give it a shot

akephalos · 2010-10-17 20:57:37

toad wrote:

Hm, had a quick check on my virtualbox. But first off, which DE would you use? I am asking 'cos the first link is for KDE, yet you are referring to Ubuntu. Anyway, assuming you would take the standard Gnome I've got the following screen shot for you.
http://ompldr.org/tNXVjZA
Unfortunately I am not sure which manual settings virtual box uses or how the interface in the guest OS works otherwise I could give it a shot

First of all, judging by your green screenshot, I think frabjous was right, that you are talking about Mint Debian, is that correct? So let's clarify some things:
- I was talking about vanilla Debian, that it's geekish and has these issues. I think that Mint is actually user-friendly and I suppose that the Debian version keeps the same direction;
- Yes, I am talking about Network Manager under GNOME, the default desktop in Debian, Ubuntu, and Mint. I had problems with the network connection on Debian/KDE, too, when I instructed a workmate through the IM, but I don't recall what they were.
---

The network config for a system in my QEmu on Arch is done automatically through DHCP. The manual settings would be:
- IP: 10.0.2.15
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Gateway: 10.0.2.2
- DNSs: they're ISP dependent, you find them in your installation you run QEmu on (eg Arch), in /etc/resolv.conf

You can find these running 'ifconfig' in the terminal, in that QEmu installation. So you put them in your NM, using the "manual" settings, but change your IP to something like 10.0.2.14, save, reboot, and you're done .

toad · 2010-10-17 22:46:37

Yep - I am talking about rolling release Mint Debian here as you gathered quite rightly from the link.

Thanks for the info, I tried it and it worked (it's been so long that I've been on a debian based system that I typed sudo /etc/rc.d... instead of .../init.d/... ).

So my advice would be: go ahead and install LMDE - it is a fine system for newbies. No horrendous system upgrades, all done with clicks and a nice comfy cosy kind of warmth (couldn't me more unKISS).

ViruSzZ · 2010-10-17 23:01:11

Both of my parents are using GNU/Linux. Also, I recently installed ArchLinux on my girlfriend's PC and she's down with it 100% (she was using windows xp, but she's finding Arch more reliable to her). My Brother is still using windows and I can't put a 'spell' on him yet because of his addict for gaming.

Peace

Mr. Alex · 2010-11-05 10:07:40

My father refuses to use GNU because he thinks it's too complicated. And he needs to run *.exe files sometimes which probably won't work in WINE 100%.

n0stradamus · 2010-11-09 20:08:06

My parents refuse to use Linux, because it is 'too complicated'
I even installed Mint to an old Laptop of ours to demonstrate the ease with which you could use it...useless

switch86 · 2010-11-11 19:14:58

Mom's got Vista on her laptop. Dad has WinXP on his netbook. The home file server runs CentOS (pops remotes in once in awhile to update and reboot).

I don't think either "needs" Windows strictly speaking, but they seem happy with their current OS situation. Plus I never was one for evangelizing.

Last edited by switch86 (2010-11-11 19:15:26)

STEELBAS · 2010-11-11 20:11:16

My dad uses Linux, though not very actively, as he needs Windows and its programs for his municipal work. Government-led things like that never seem very enthusiastic about open-source, it seems. Though, admittedly, my university is also very Windows-centered.

I did get my girlfriend to use Linux, however: Ubuntu's netbook remix is running on her netbook. She asked me to reinstall Windows XP in the coming winter break, though, since she claims that it is easier and more stable. (This could also have to do with Linux breaking with me, now and then, after playing around with it too much.)
... Any tips?

I showed her a few of the more flashy Linux distros like Jolicloud and MeeGo, which did seem to catch her attention a bit.. But she can be stubborn. I'd dislike having to install Windows XP

(Especially because I'm not quite sure if I backed it up properly, back in the day ))

Last edited by STEELBAS (2010-11-11 20:17:14)

Fruity · 2010-11-13 18:42:40

My mum has been moaning to me for ages about how slow her laptop is (win xp) It takes it about 5+ mins to boot - from the time the desktop is up - to be actually usable. She's finally relented and agreed to let me put linux on it. Going to go with ubuntu or linux mint. Will run them on a VM let her decide which she prefers, I'm thinking it will be mint as the stock look is more windoze like.

chimeracoder · 2010-11-14 04:24:18

Fruity wrote:

My mum has been moaning to me for ages about how slow her laptop is (win xp) It takes it about 5+ mins to boot - from the time the desktop is up - to be actually usable. She's finally relented and agreed to let me put linux on it. Going to go with ubuntu or linux mint. Will run them on a VM let her decide which she prefers, I'm thinking it will be mint as the stock look is more windoze like.

As someone who's tried this with his parents, I'd recommend Mint. It's more automatically configured out-of-the box (which your mom will appreciate), it resembles Windows more, and the additional bloat of having everything pre-loaded isn't likely to bother her (as it might for more advanced users).

ShadowKyogre · 2010-11-14 07:06:12

My dad likes trying out various Puppy distrolets, but my mom's extremely phobic of it.

kx5 · 2010-11-14 19:47:50

My dad just started using computers, and my mom doesn't really want to learn. But there was one incident where they asked me to print out a .docx file for them, and I just ran it through lp. Printed out about 10 pages of garbled data before I stopped it, but now my sister and my parents think linux is horrible and unusable

disappoint · 2010-11-14 20:31:03

my dad used gnu/linux before I did - he ran Ubuntu very early on. i didn't like it at the time, because i thought it was slow (mostly the fault of the ancient hardware he was using). 4 years later i discovered Arch and fell in love with the free software movement... dad just likes to run Ubuntu. my mom doesn't run it because it doesn't support the CAD software she needs for work...
my sister has an Eee PC with Xandros still on it, i see. she's only 14, mostly uses it to browse the internet, but she's expressed a disliking for the clunky interface and lack of freedom/features. this thanksgiving when i visit my family i'll show her *my* Eee PC with Arch and offer to install it on hers, we'll see how that goes

Cloudef · 2010-11-15 03:36:47

Mum uses Linux mint, heck she uses it better than old XP that was damn slow on that netbook.

unplugged23 · 2010-11-22 16:20:41

My mother was using an ubuntu derivative for a while, but eventually went back to windows due to the lack of proper web cam drivers.

Arch Linux

#126 2010-10-10 14:55:38

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#127 2010-10-15 15:07:50

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#128 2010-10-15 19:37:00

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#129 2010-10-17 00:58:51

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#130 2010-10-17 05:33:33

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#131 2010-10-17 08:33:33

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#132 2010-10-17 14:27:37

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#133 2010-10-17 14:48:02

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#134 2010-10-17 14:48:23

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#135 2010-10-17 18:45:20

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#136 2010-10-17 19:23:55

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#137 2010-10-17 20:57:37

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#138 2010-10-17 22:46:37

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#139 2010-10-17 23:01:11

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#140 2010-11-05 10:07:40

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#141 2010-11-09 20:08:06

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#142 2010-11-11 19:14:58

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#143 2010-11-11 20:11:16

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#144 2010-11-13 18:42:40

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#145 2010-11-14 04:24:18

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#146 2010-11-14 07:06:12

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#147 2010-11-14 19:47:50

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#148 2010-11-14 20:31:03

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#149 2010-11-15 03:36:47

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#150 2010-11-22 16:20:41

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