Lan Barnes wrote: > > Jason DeStefano wrote: > > > > My 2 cents.... > > > > Windows (microsoft for that matter) will be around for a long time > > because they appeal to the non-computer-literate as well as the > > computer literate...Linux does not. My grandma can use windows, > > but she isnt gonna be able to do much with Linux in its current state. > > > > I can't speak to your grandmother's particular situation, but I've > installed Linux systems for word processing and web surfing for my > father-in-law and a family friend (female) both approaching 80. They do > just fine with it, and both of them come from a computer-free background. > > When people don't have any prior training, the difference between learning > Win <nnnn> and Gnome/X is nonexistent, and the Linux systems are (if > anything) easier to set up. They also fit better into a retiree's budget. > Since Linux (unlike Windoze) tends to run better and faster with each > release (instead of needing spiraling increases in HW capacity to run), I > was able to set both up on pretty cheap boxes. > > If you'd like, I can get your grandma in touch with them ;-) > I agree - I've set up my mother with a cheapo linux box, and she has run for a little over two years now with minimal problems. She has contacted some of her surviving classmates and has a lot of e-mail correspondence with them. Whenever the subject of Windows comes up, my Mom always kind of shakes her head and says "Those poor windows users ...". Apparently her friends have lots of problems. Incidentally, watching my Mom operate a computer leaves me in no doubt about where my hacker genes come from...