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For some, I think it's a bit more fundamental than that. I'll give an example of a conversation with a family member, who bought a used computer a few months a

For some, I think it's a bit more fundamental than that. I'll give an example of a conversation with a family member, who bought a used computer a few months ago and claimed it was "broken" (they didn't know where the power button was, and thought the charging cable was wrong (it was USB-C)) Me: "Oh, well since it's used, we should probably do a clean install. I can reinstall Windows for you if you want...but if you're interested, or I could do Linux instead. It works as well as Windows, but if your computer ever breaks, I'm not sure a technician could fix it as easily. It's got different benefits though, and would use this older hardware better." Them: "Oh? But how could you even do that?" Me: "Linux installs are pretty easy. As easy as Windows install." Them: "But isn't this a Windows laptop?" (It was a ThinkPad. Me: "No...it's just a laptop. Your laptop. You're not required to use Windows. You can use whatever you want. You own it." Them: "But how could it have Linux if it already had Windows? I thought this was a 'Windows' laptop? Doesn't this only work with Windows?" Me: "It can have Windows. It could also have Linux, instead. It's just what's installed right now to make the computer work. It's yours to do with as you wish." I could kind of see a look of surprise on their face. It hadn't even occurred to them that they were permitted to install anything but Windows, because they saw it as a "Windows" laptop. Ultimately I ended up reinstalling Windows because they were afraid of dealing with the unknown, as you mentioned.

gerdesj 2y ago
You could try putting Linux on it anyway and just call it Windows. Well it is - X Windows, unless it's Waythingie and who's counting anyway. Think about how wanky the entire IT experience really is: from phone to laptop to desktop. No one really knows what is going on: a user keeps poking at widgets until it does something. Most people have no idea what is going on, per se, and I do recall how confusing things looked when I first discovered the concept of folders/directories. That would be the very early '80s.
- registeredcorn 2y ago
  I certainly did consider it, and even told them as much. Ultimately though, I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I asked a friend to do something to my car, he agreed, then did something completely different because "it's better"; it might be, but I'd kind of resent it on principle. :/ I did make sure to mention that the chromebook they had at home, as well as the smartphone they were using, were both technically (kind of) Linux, which threw them for a loop! Haha. :) I try to "plant seeds" and watch if any trust/interest grows naturally with time.
lukan 2y ago
"It hadn't even occurred to them that they were permitted to install anything but Windows" Well, Microsoft certainly would like it, if this would not be the case. And some argue they tried to advance this concept with locking down the bootloader a bit.

gerdesj 2y ago

You could try putting Linux on it anyway and just call it Windows. Well it is - X Windows, unless it's Waythingie and who's counting anyway. Think about how wanky the entire IT experience really is: from phone to laptop to desktop. No one really knows what is going on: a user keeps poking at widgets until it does something. Most people have no idea what is going on, per se, and I do recall how confusing things looked when I first discovered the concept of folders/directories. That would be the very early '80s.

registeredcorn 2y ago
I certainly did consider it, and even told them as much. Ultimately though, I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I asked a friend to do something to my car, he agreed, then did something completely different because "it's better"; it might be, but I'd kind of resent it on principle. :/ I did make sure to mention that the chromebook they had at home, as well as the smartphone they were using, were both technically (kind of) Linux, which threw them for a loop! Haha. :) I try to "plant seeds" and watch if any trust/interest grows naturally with time.

lukan 2y ago

"It hadn't even occurred to them that they were permitted to install anything but Windows" Well, Microsoft certainly would like it, if this would not be the case. And some argue they tried to advance this concept with locking down the bootloader a bit.