Before you begin, ask yourself WHY? Why Linux, why waste the time, now and in future? Is your time so cheap? Do you really have that big of a problem with Microsoft Windows or Apple iOS that you want to handicap yourself with Linux? Even my Linux friends have admitted that it is of limited value, for servers, NOT for desktop computers and all. We have three Raspberry Pi computers in the house with it and it is limited and for special project purposes only. Nothing more!
First of all, it's not a waste of time. Linux provides me a very nice income.
Second, knowledge is always good. Anything that knocks a chunk out of a monopoly (MS / Apple) is a good thing.
Third, It's *my* computer--not Microsoft's, and not Apple's. That means I have total control over it--patching, updates, which OS to run, and what software I choose to install (without being nagged that it isn't "approved").
Actually, there are distributions (LinuxMint in particular,) that are quite user friendly, ESPECIALLY for someone with little or no computer experience.
If they just want to browse the web, send and receive email, and maybe do a bit of word processing for sending letters, it’s perfectly easy to use.
The key is that if they’re not ingrained to use a specific OS, it’s a GREAT system. It all depends on not having to “unlearn” anything.
A perfect example of that is when I try to use an iMac. I found myself having to do google-searches to perform the simplest of tasks, like burning an ISO to a CD. It’s second nature for me on Windows or the assorted *IX systems. But I wound up with a CD with the iso file on it the first time I tried.
I’ve set up several Linux Mint systems for people to use for communicating with their families, and they love the computers. All of those users have been70 years old and older.
Mark
I installed Linux (Mint XX) on a laptop I wasn’t using. It wasn’t bad, but I’m pretty content using Windows 10 with a local account:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-local-account-during-windows-10-home-setup-process
Linux was....underwhelming.
“ Why Linux, why waste the time, now and in future? Is your time so cheap? Do you really have that big of a problem with Microsoft Windows or Apple iOS that you want to handicap yourself with Linux? ”
You do know that iOS is based on UNIX, right? Surely everyone knows that. Well, not EVERYONE it appears...
LoL. My time is way too valuable to waste with anything Microsoft. I prefer things to actually work. Linux does everything I want and then some.
I'm just glad we have options. Some folks might prefer Apple, some prefer Linux, and amazingly, some even prefer Windows. As someone who uses computers for a lot of stuff, I think it's great that we're not locked into any particular vendor.
[[ask yourself WHY? Why Linux, why waste the time, now and in future?]]
Why? Because it’s a heck of a lot more secure- doesn’t phone home, allows me to adjust it however i like- allows me to update when i like, and generally doesn’t break-
I use linux as my ‘Online OS’, and only use windows 7 as my offline os for photoshop or windows only games
I’ve been using linux for years now- no issues at all- Haven’t wasted a moment- I’m not constantly bogged down by it- it just works- does everything i need online- and haven’t run into any problems-
What’s not to like about it?
Then again- i don’t do much with it except email, browse internet, photo work- some linux games, etc- i don’t get into the nuts and bolts of it- so nothing bad ever happens because i messed up messing around with the OS-