When I got home from the trip, the system was up and running with no problems. He had DL'ed the ISO, burned it to disc, and installed Ubuntu from scratch.
With zero assistance from me or his mom.
He had never before worked with Linux, or installed an OS.
If Linux is so damn good, why is it so damn far behind...
That can't be allowed to happen. /s
/johnny
Why? It came with a license when purchased that didn't die because someone else is now using it. Use the restore disks/partition from the manufacturer or use another copy of windows and change the COA number after installation (Pro disks usually won't accept OEM serial numbers). Shoot, half the machines you buy don't have the same number on the install that's on the sticker.
Buying a new copy is just paying for the same copy a second time.
You ought to proud, that is a smart kid. I installed Linux at home on several computers because I don’t have the time, inclination or money to waste on battling malware on systems with lame security models. I put Puppy Linux on my son’s old HP computer and Ubuntu Studio on my Dell Inspiron. I also installed Ubuntu on a client’s kid’s computer that had been infected with 20 varieties of viruses and malware. That was months ago and they are still very pleased with it. “Junior” had no problem transitioning to Linux and he has no compatibility problems using Open Office to do his school work.
I just bought 2 windows machines with W7 installed, Nothing but headaches. I am sure I could have spent a day or two getting back on the learning curve and figured it out but I just do not have the time.
I installed unbuntu on the 2 machines and will never use a windows product again. It was the smoothest, most seamless install I have ever had on startup all the connected devices worked, wifi which was a constant problem worked flawlessly out of the gate, printers , sound, video etc. all worked fine.
Open office has evolved to a comparable office suite. firefox works better than ever and any free app I found and downloaded has done the job I needed it for. It is simple, rock solid and every thing windows should have been - best software decision I have ever made
I would recommend Linux for kids, preferably a different distribution on each (virtual) machine, especially if they have an interest in an IT career. I started with a Unix no one has ever heard of, used several, and (immediately) put Linux on the first PC I ever owned. Comp Sci degree and going on twenty years in IT, and NO ONE ASKS ME FOR HELP WITH WINDOWS!
I’ve had to touch windows enough over the years to know how much it sucks (and how truly user-unfriendly it is if your background is in anything else). If I had to support it, I’d pick another industry. Having zero windows experience is definitely a plus.
ping