Have you ever recommended Linux to someone who's computer illiterate?

And did they decide to stick with it?

I've never done so, simply because I know I'll have a headache 2 weeks down the road when I start hearing complaints about how RandomWindowsProgram.exe they downloaded off the internet doesn't start installing when double clicked.

 

Nope. Because everyone thinks Linux is Windows/OSx it just doesn't work out unless they know how to use Google or have enough computer knowledge

 

If Linux distro's could find a way to have a common standard for softeware/apps... and come out with a common marketplace...

 

Yea thats a pretty big project considering the amount of distros there are... Plus there are so many different architechtures and such that it would be a giant mess.

Btw ral nice SSD on your macbook, how much did that set you back? 500:O?

 

Actually, it was a gift. I was planning to buy an Acer 1830T, and one of my clients gave me the MBA

If I bought the MBA for myself, I would have been fine with the 128GB SSD and just use external storage for other needs. The ultraportable that the MBA replace only had 160GB which was fine for me. The 80GB I have on my Linux box is a bit small, but with Linux its okay since this OS has such a small footprint.

 

What is your definition of "computer illiterate"? Do you really mean people who have never used a computer before or do you mean people who haven't used anything else but Windows and simply don't care? This is an important difference that's easily forgotten today.

I'd say my mom is a computer illiterate according to the 2nd part of the above sentence and although my grandfather is very interested in technology he shows signs of inflexibility due to his age. Both are used to work with Win XP and they're unwilling/incapable to learn something new. I tried to make both of them switch from MS Office to OO but it didn't work - not because they need features OO doesn't provide but because they won't find their office application if it doesn't have the right icon or the right name.
Both of them would have a much easier time under Linux where they won't be tempted to install tons of useless and untested 3rd party software from $gaudy_journal discs or be annoyed by a dozen of separate update assistants from antivir to vlc which they ignore anyway because they don't know what these assistants try to tell them (no, they won't try to read and understand the messages, I tried it). But they would never know how to work with a system that has the task bar at the top edge of the screen or where the browser isn't called IE or where there is no button labeled "Start" (to shut down the system). And they'd never understand why these random journal discs that cause so much trouble under Windows won't work on their computer (it's a "computer disc" and it fits into the drive, so it has to work).
Of course this can all be addressed, but I see no sense in turning an elaborate design into a bad copy of another design. Besides I'm too lazy for all those pointless modifications.
It's so frustrating to see these people I love to work with a computer that I'm honestly happy I don't know anymore how to properly administrate Windows and I wouldn't even want to imagine how it is to be a paid-for supporter who has to spoon-feed random ignorants for a living.

bottom line: I'd never ever try to make somebody use Linux who doesn't express this wish on his own. I have no problem with taking people by the hand, but they have to walk on their own feet.

That will never happen.
1st: There is no such thing like a common package management system and there will never be because they all have different strengthes and weaknesses that make them incompatible with each other.
2nd: "appstore" and "marketplace" are two words that I (as a Debian user who cares a lot for the DSC and DFSG) honestly hate and I know I'm not the only one. appstores/marketplaces might look like just other words for package repositories but they're not. A package repository is a technical concept, a place to deliver software based on stability and security criteria, evaluated in compliance with the repository's aim to meet free software standards. An appstore/marketplace is a commercial concept, a place to sell software regardless of social aspects (and sometimes even regardless of security aspects). Both concepts have some things in common, but you can't just replace one with the other.

 

Several friends have come to me for help with their virus infested Windows machines. I always encourage them to try Linux first, for a little while. I promise them that if they don’t like it or it doesn’t work for them I will install Windows back on for them. So far, none of the families I have done this for have asked for Windows to be put back. Some of them are into their third year of using Linux, and they are not computer savvy at all. Their daughters are able to do their home work just fine. Each one has their own account and password. The parents enjoy the parental controls that come built in with PCLinuxOS. Most people, including the elderly just need a few minutes to be shown where is the software installer and how to open their programs. I tell all my PCLinuxOS users to open the package manager once a week to install any available updates. It is a matter of 1, 2, 3. And I have not yet encountered any one for whom this is too hard to do. So far so good. It has worked for them. In fact, I've started to charge for the service. This I do, not just to make a few bucks. But also because I think people appreciate more what they have had to pay money for. If they get everything for free, they just take it for granted.

I always try to stir people into using PCLinuxOS instead of Ubuntu, or its derivatives, for several reasons.

It is a rolling release. Your upgrades come along with your updates. No need to re-install every six months.
It is measurably faster than Ubuntu. It uses the BFS kernel by default.
It stays very current in its application and library versions. Ubuntu has a tendency to fall behind.

But of course, in the end, you should use what you like and what works for you. We are fortunate to have so many options.

 

@rm2

I understand. I nuked my last Windows install seven months ago, and I do not miss it or anything. Unless you need a particular piece of software and unwilling to accept an alternative (for example if your want Star Craft 2), a Linux will provide all the software you need free, and many are installed by default with the basic install.

In that sense it should cater well enough for the average user rather than for example a heavy gamer.

 

I guess none of those families has sons in their teens who like to play the latest Windows games.

For this task there is update-notifier. It reminds you of new packages so you don't have to check on your own. However this might become annoying on a RR distro, at least it does on Debian Sid. But it might be ok on PCLOS where updates don't befall in masses.
If the updates run without any issues you could as well just set up a cron that makes apt look and install updates without user interaction from time to time.

 

Well, there was one girl that absolutely wanted to have iTunes to be able to interact with her iPod. I guess there are various types of iPods because I have had success with some, but not with others. So, while the rest of the family stayed with PCLinuxOS, the girl's laptop was reverted to Windows. Of course, this may change if it gets infected again.

Yes, it gets very annoying in PCLOS as well. I rather teach them to use Synaptic. It's not that hard. So far everyone has gotten it.

That may not be a bad idea.

 

That's what I'm telling whenever somebody whines about how complicated software installation is under Linux.

 

My Mom, Stepdad, Grandparents, and aunt use it and they certainly aren't computer literate.

 

Ive recommended it to my sister before...she used ubuntu for a while...though i eventually had to put windows back on due to the fact she was more comfortable with windows for school work...and she also needed it back for specific school programs. While she isnt very computer saavy...i was able to take the time and show her the basics. She did use it for a whole summer...so it was a start...

 

I have always wanted to get family and friends using linux, just for the simple reason that I am tired of having to go "fix their computer" because of malware, etc. Then after thinking about it, it might be too much of a learning curve and they would be calling me even more.

 

What I've done is help a few folks install Ubuntu or Mint and get it up and running with the apps they need. I show them the basics and give them links to information and then let them learn it on their own.

My ex gf, who was practically computer illiterate a year or so ago is obsessed with Ubuntu now.

 

I made my Girl friend install linux on her laptop (though she aint that much of a computer illiterate) - she wanted Ubuntu although initially I agreed to install nothing but openSUSE. She kinda learned new stuff after installing Ubuntu, even learned using vim in terminal

She was a CS grad student that time, otherwise I bet she wouldnt have gone thru with that

 

I offer my friends two choices. Run Windows and find someone else to help you when thing go wrong, run any flavor of linux you want and get free tech support from me, including hands on stuff. I've helped about 6 people get started and stay on linux. Many of them dual boot to Windows, but if Windows acts up they get my teenaged son to help them out, as other than video drivers and monitoring temps and gaming, I'm no good on Windows.

 

I couldn't even imagine the horror of setting up a Linux machine for someone who is computer illiterate. Even though most Linux distributions are very graphical these days, some things still require learning the command line.

In fact, I stopped building even Windows computers for people because they would constantly keep bugging me to fix or set up trivial things afterwords. I now tell them to buy a machine with a support contract, and like on one of the Seinfeld episodes, I look around for a phone number on a billboard or a car driving by and tell them if they can't understand the Asian guy from tech support to give me a call.

 

I have to my mom and brothers. While they have used it over extended periods of time, it does however create extra work for me when they need something done that usually is a double click away with windows. I think if I push linux again Ill just setup remote access and do the work from home as opposed to driving 30min one way. But honestly I probbaly wont bother since the next PC they buy will ship with OSX or windows (too impatient to wait for me to build one).

I have tried time and time again with the wife, and even though she is finishing a masters in instructional technology she REFUSES to use linux. If it requires any work to get used to it she wont do it because she gets frustrated too easily and just wants it to work and be simple. She is a perfect canidate for OSX...but she HATES her macbook from work.

 

I recommended Linux (Ubuntu) to a friend who had a very old pc. He did not go back to windows, becuse his old slow pc became as fast as new.

 

Actually, I'd guess that a casual user wouldn't have occasion to visit the command line in recent releases of Ubuntu. I'm probably a little more demanding than most casual users, but the last time I visited the command line, it was for a task I could have accomplished using the GUI. I just like the terminal. And I didn't know about the GUI shortcut. Whoops.

Yes, I'd rather not provide a lifetime of free techsupport, especially for "trivial things." Do I really need to be contacted every time there is a UAC pop-up? Nope. In contrast, I've seen complete novices adapt to a Linux without a complaint, the same people who were freaked out by every UAC popup. Of course, with new hardware purchases, it's just easier to say "Buy a Mac and don't forget to buy AppleCare."