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> Of course, if they are already used to some other system, like Windows, changing is probably more trouble than it’s worth. I thought that, too, but I install
by theandrewbailey 3y ago
> Of course, if they are already used to some other system, like Windows, changing is probably more trouble than it’s worth.
I thought that, too, but I installed Xubuntu on my parents PC, told them it works like Windows (like double click desktop icons to open programs, the X button in the corner closes them), showed them how to check email, watch Youtube, play solitaire, and shut down. I expected them to say "put it back like what it was", but after about 10 years, it never happened. I eventually showed them how to keep it up to date, but no big security issues ever happened like on Windows.
- knappe 3y agoI too did this for my family, but with Ubuntu many years ago. I expected it to be a rather rough switch from Windows, but everyone migrated without a hitch. And the number of support calls went to basically zero.
- throwaway11460 3y agoI did the same with a similar outcome. Turns out they stopped using the computer.
- danielskogly 3y agoDid this, but with Linux Mint, and had the same experience. If one only needs a browser and word processor, many Linux distros seem perfect.
- mavhc 3y agoMight as well get a Chromebook
- Workaccount2 3y agoLinux is great for power users and the absolute lightest users, with nothing but punishment in the middle.
- skyyler 3y agoI've not had problems recommending Fedora to people. The punishment seems to come with trying to play games that aren't supported by the developer.
- weakfish 3y ago+1. My dad even figured out how to use LibreOffice, which was awesome
- rob74 3y agoWe here on HN may have our doubts about Linux on the desktop, but for basic usage (= mostly using just the browser) it's more than good enough. And the main advantage (same as with MacOS) is that it's not Windows - which isn't necessarily going against Microsoft (although they are doing their part too with botched Windows updates), the biggest problem with Windows is that most malware is still targeting it.
- itsoktocry 3y ago>the biggest problem with Windows is that most malware is still targeting it. And even so, when's the last time Windows had a serious security issue? I've been out of the Windows loop for a while, but it seems the biggest vulnerabilities of the past few years are OS agnostic.
- rob74 3y agoThen again, you don't need a huge vulnerability, you just need enough hapless users who voluntarily download and install software containing your malware...
- Symbiote 3y agoSo don't give them root access, and mount the /home partition as noexec to prevent executing downloaded programs. I set up a dual-boot Ubuntu install many years ago like this. It worked for years without me realizing — the Windows install had some problem, and my dad started using Ubuntu without telling me.
- syntheticnature 3y agoI figure the downloaded malware is more a reference to machines running Windows, not Ubuntu.
- desdenova 3y agoIt's still pretty easy to download malicious shell scripts that can wreck your user data and configs on Linux, so noexec is a great tip for setting up a system for a non-technical user.
- gigglesupstairs 3y agoGreat example. Similar design patterns result in similar user experiences irrespective of platform. Who would have thunk?