Linux doesn’t require you to be good at computers.
LockheedTheDragon@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’ve been saying for years I was going to move back over to Linux. This will be the push I need. Sadly my Dad is bad at computers and will need Windows 11 when using 10 becomes a problem. I’m throwing this at my brother since I was the one who got our Dad a Windows 10 computer. FU Microsoft, you peaked at XP.
rottingleaf@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I don’t know about that. I recently switched from Mac OS to Linux Mint. I’m savvy enough to understand what I’m doing for the most part, but I have not had to use the terminal so much in ages just to get things working the way I need them to. The average person using a CLI all the time? I don’t see it happening.
Even the install was not an easy task. I had to go into the BIOS, change a setting, install it, go back into the BIOS, change the setting back, then it worked.
I know everyone here wants people to switch over to Linux, but there is still a higher level of experience needed than the average person who just wants to watch Netflix is capable of or interested in learning.
rottingleaf@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
Even the install was not an easy task. I had to go into the BIOS, change a setting, install it, go back into the BIOS, change the setting back, then it worked.
Well, that’s outside Linux.
but I have not had to use the terminal so much in ages just to get things working the way I need them to. The average person using a CLI all the time? I don’t see it happening.
I’ve tried openSUSE recently, it seems you have to use it very little there.
but there is still a higher level of experience needed than the average person who just wants to watch Netflix is capable of or interested in learning.
I’m not sure. I think those people just ignore their problems with Windows due to being used to them or due to their relative or friends solving those for them.
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 8 months ago
“Don’t blame Linux that people won’t adopt it because they can’t install it” is an odd attitude.
plz1@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Maybe a ChromeOS machine? It doesn’t get more simple to use than that.
rikonium@discuss.tchncs.de 8 months ago
unfortunately it can be a minefield with each ChromeOS machine having a set update expiration date from date of first availability.
plz1@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Well that sucks
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Nope. For a family member you just install ubuntu. Maybe if you feel strongly about it, you uninstall snap firefox and install apt firefox, but otherwise you just leave it alone.
it’ll run forever, auto update, etc. completely hands off and stress free.
break1146@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 months ago
Doesn’t apt install the snap package on Ubuntu when it’s available anyway? I’d say Mint is probably easier then. Ubuntu has gone a bit off the rails in recent years.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Eh, who really cares. Its going to be a web machine for elderly people.
LockheedTheDragon@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I got a Chromebook years ago to have to write when out, but now they won’t update it and to install Linux I have to flip a physical switch on the other side of the motherboard.
My Dad gets upset and let’s me know when Yahoo changes their homepage. (Yes, he still uses yahoo mail.) He has a flip phone and still struggling with it.
yetAnotherUser@lemmy.ca 8 months ago
my Dad is bad at computers
Have you looked at Endless OS? It depends on what your father uses his computer for, but if it’s mostly web browsing, it could be nice for him.
SendMePhotos@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I liked 7. 10 is OK.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I was in your place when Win7 died (Win 7 was the true peak, fite me :p) and made the switch myself, then.
Also linux is easy, probably easier, for parents to use. They don’t game or do anything complicated, all they gotta do 99.999999% of the time is just load the web browser to do whatever they are doing. I have several astonishingly stupid family members running linux, with less issues than when they had windows… So maybe you can swap out your dads OS without much issue. Just use a distro that has a more windows-y interface with a start button and the bar across the bottom.
LockheedTheDragon@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I could see the argument that 7 was peak, but I think it was XP. My Dad pretty much downloads pictures from his phone and browser the web. One issue is some of the sites he uses are set up weird. That why he finally allowed me to upgrade him from 7 to 10. He complained about certain sites, which I really didn’t pay attention to which, would give warning about browser being out of date, then the sites refused to even load. That is when he allowed me to upgrade. They probably would work but I don’t want to risk issues with any sites having problems with Linux.
rottingleaf@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
Which was likely the reason.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I.E. 6.0 usage intensifies