THIS is why Linux (a superior operating system) is not the leader and Windows is.
1) Choose a Distro.
Explain that to Grandma who just wants to turn it on and see pictures of her grandchildren.
Perhaps, but “Grandma” is not the target audience for an article like this.
Just install grandma’s system for her and use whatever distro you see fit. She probably wouldn’t be able to install it herself anyway.
“Explain that to Grandma who just wants to turn it on and see pictures of her grandchildren.”
Grandma should just get a Mac, which is also a Unixlike operating system. Apple is excellent at limiting excess choice (including some things they should have like an affordable user-serviceable tower).
Windows is a superior gaming environment, and that’s about it. Even that is changing fast, Linux is about 75% of the way there, and even Apple is making progress. If you’re willing to do the setup, Linux is actually better for some games. With dual boot, you can use the best tool for the job.
For new users, I recommend Ubuntu as a distribution. It’s got good ease of use, allows proprietary drivers, and is fine for serious work. It’s the most popular Linux distro among software developers, and is probably the most popular overall for non-server use. Red Hat has its niche on servers by providing reliability, security and stability as value adds.
A bit misleading. Any distro listed would suffice for any Granny. Just grab a techie grandchild and put them in front of a PC and go for it.
The one b*tch I have about Linux (i.e., I’ve used them as dual boots to my M$ windows) is that many programs/apps come in some weird distribution that works on one distro but not the one over there. Yes, there is a software manager tool on the linux system. But, time and time again it proffers only the latest and greatest version of an application. If I don’t want the L&G I have to search all over creation — and then figure out how to install the bloody thing. Windows apps are simpler. You can get the older versions and every version installs the same: download, click **.exe. It’s as simple as turning on the TV. And, until linux distros are that simple, they will always be “the bridesmaid, never the bride”.
Exactly.
I started Grandma out on Linux Mint a few years ago and it was good. She liked it better than Windows.
But then she got an iPad from the Grandkids and it was all over. Now they ALL have iPads and see each other and talk daily by just touching a few ‘buttons’. There is no turning back.