The only thing I have to say about Linux vs. Windows (trust me I love Linux)
since the majority of people use windows and the majority of programs and
stupid downloads are for windows, gramps might have a hard time
understanding why he cant install the playboy screensaver he just got from
his buddy down the street.  Now I know I'm going to get flamed but I think
even though Linux is just as easy to use as windows for people new to
computers.   You might find a compatibility problem and frustrated
grandparents, I would stick with windows for family members and relatives
save Linux for friends.

Matthew LaBerge
labmat at mn.mediaone.net

-----Original Message-----
From: tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org [mailto:tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org]On
Behalf Of Lan Barnes
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 10:36 AM
To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
Subject: Re: [TCLUG] Linux vs. NT -- guessing the future

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 ;-)

--
Lan Barnes                 lanbarnes at earthlink.net
Icon Consulting, Inc       858-273-6677
Key fingerprint = 57D6 C219 140A A81E 26C6  8138 0E62 7F4A 2659 7389

This knowledge is interesting stuff; I give it freely to you,
yet I still have it.
                            - Ted Powell
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