Mar

10

How to really switch your Mom to Linux

Filed Under (Crazyness) by jc on 10-03-2008

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I was reading this article on debiantutorials.org (http://www.debiantutorials.org/content/view/224/1/) and I thought it was pretty interesting.

He makes some good points (and some silly ones :]) on how to rescue her from the evils of Micro$oft. The real secret is to make it simple and functional. He used a Debian box, replaced some of her Windows programs with web applications, and what he could not replace, he just distracted her with some silly games! :)

My only question is: “How do you make you grandmother switch to Linux?” Can you do it yourself or does your mom have to do it?

More power to open source software,

JC

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2 Responses to “How to really switch your Mom to Linux”

  1. machiner on 11 Mar 2008 at 9:48 am #

    Hi,

    Reading through my web logs I came accross this post. I think you have something wrong, though, and it may be my bad because I am not such a good writer.

    You say that where I could not replace Mom’s Windows apps I introduced silly games instead. Naah. I install silly games because my wife likes them and I have found that other people around (our) age do as well. It’s a factor to help segue the switch over.

    The whole point of my article is to consider the psychological side of things. In reality the programs don’t matter much. Remember, Mom is a person, an adult. She’s already had to adapt a zillion times in her life.

    For one thing, she had you! ;)

    rock on

    –machiner

    PS: Grandma does what she wants and most of them don’t want to be sitting inside wasting the hours away in front of a radiation emitting, electricity using, time-stealing, confusing computer-thingy

  2. admin on 11 Mar 2008 at 10:11 am #

    Hey machiner,

    I completely agree and I did get your point. I try to convert all my family and friends to Linux or Mac. I show them that I have been 100% free from Windows without crippling my ability to do my job and anything else I use my computer for. I have to tell you that with everyone there is a different psychology to it. As I mentioned on my post, it is all about functionality. If they can’t work on their Excel spreadsheet or play their favorite game, it can be harder for them to switch. Linux still has ways to go on the Desktop/ end-user market, but we are getting there. I use it and love it.

    Best,

    JC

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