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People who have installed Linux on their parents computer, how did it go? Which distro do you recommend? Any tips? (self.linux)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Blaze to c/[email protected]

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There are always stories of people installing Linux on their parents computer to provide them a more secure and stable operating system, seems interesting to share experiences.

Edit: I'm assuming that parents are okay with the changes, or do not care. Obviously do not force anyone to switch OS if they don't want to.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (18 children)

Just a shout-out that Mac OSX is also a very nice OS that is neither Windows nor Linux. In fact I am interested: would anyone argue against this, again this is for parents, presumably someone who has (been forced to) used Windows their entire lives at work yet knows nothing whatsoever about tech?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (3 children)

First challenge would be trying to convince them to spend a ton of money for a computer that they only use to do basic web surfing.

Then there is the fact that MacOS is different than Windows in look and feel, so a larger learning curve, all to do what they've always done before. People don't like change, and the bigger the change, the more the pushback.

And in my parents case, they have already talked to other parents who's kids convinced them to get a Mac. And heard all the complaints and regrets of those other parents for buying a Mac, and how it will be their first and last Mac. (My mother needed help buying a new laptop a few months ago, so I know about this).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Okay but... will putting Linux on it be any better, in your view, or are you saying Windows or bust?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Could be good if they are willing to try, and you choose a distro that closely resembles Windows. And they aren't purchasing new hardware and their current Windows OS isn't being supported anymore.

Big fan of if it works, why change it?

Also, don't promise them that it'll be perfect and magical, set their expectations to be realistic. (This is where typically people convinced to buy a Mac quickly learn to hate it. They are promised it will never have problems and then they have one problem after another, leading to hating it and tired of having to message for more help. And a lot of people I've found that sing blind praises for anything are the same ones quick to blame and down talk users when things goes wrong)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Oh that's definitely true - if their existing machine works and they only want to get away from Windows then it's not even a question (putting Mac OSX onto a not-Mac hardware just isn't quite the same experience...:-P), definitely go with Linux then.

Yeah there is no OS in existence and never will be one that has zero issues, true dat. Windows included.

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