I attended LinuxCon last year, and everyone was touting Linux on the Desktop.....mmmhhhhhh......yeah, right. While i am a huge fan of the -ix systems/OS’s, they aren’t quite ready from Grandma or Grandpa. Don’t really think they will be unless folks can’t afford a commercial OS (wouldn’t be surprised, but then they probably won’t be able to afford electricity either).
The IX’s are better relegated to the back office, where they are reliable, steady, fast and CHEAP. But, maybe one of these days.
Ubuntu has done a good job with their kernel and UI, but i wouldn’t make my father use it just yet.
They start with Ubuntu and add things ,...including their own Update schemes.