No, the GPL doesn’t stand for Grandmas Playing in Linux, but it might as well. Your Grandma could have a fun time with a Linux computer these days, and it doesn’t take much effort to set it up on most computers. My paternal grandparents learned how to use a computer starting with a TRS-80 Radio Shack Model III in the 1990s, and moved up to a Compaq Deskpro for cribbage, then an IBM Aptiva 486 for email and the Internet in 1995. Grandma was emailing me until just 2 years ago, when her failing eyesight forced her to give up playing Bridge and sending emails on her Pentium 166MHz Windows 98 computer.
One of the concerns with providing computer help to family members, is how much time they’ll need to be trained. Thanks to Linux being as easy to use as Windows once it’s configured, you might want to convert users you’re supporting to a free operating system. With a remote administration tool like VNC, you can fix a problem or teach a concept from the comfort of your own computer and telephone too.
Ubuntu Linux released their latest version just a few days ago. I’m going to install it on my computer later Saturday, and then use EasyUbuntu or Automatix to install DVD, MP3, and other drivers automatically.
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Darren | 04-Jun-06 at 4:43 am | Permalink
I glad to see your trying out ubuntu saskboy. I think it is ready for the desktop if your more of a advanced computer user. Or if you have someone to help you out with the problems of switching a OS.
Just remember to make a fat32 partition so that you can easily share data between ubuntu and windows.
Darren | 04-Jun-06 at 4:53 am | Permalink
Saskboy,
One slight problem with your linux plans. You will have to wait for flash 8 for linux. Actually, it is going to be called flash 9 because of all of the improvements they have done to it. Sadly it won’t be ready for several months from now. So, if you run into any websites that need flash 8. You will have to wait a bit to use them. However, most sites these days do work with flash 7.
:(
Saskboy | 04-Jun-06 at 11:35 am | Permalink
Thanks for the tips Darren. I wasn’t able to get the install to work with my ATI video card, and who knows what else. I’m going to hit the forums today with the error messages and see what the solution is.
Darren | 05-Jun-06 at 2:35 am | Permalink
Yes, unfortunately ati doesn’t make the greatest drivers for linux. Hopefully one day they will make them as good as nvidia. Some people say the drivers for ati work ok. But I am not one of them.
I used this guide to get the ati fgrlx drivers to work for breezy.
http://www.pcmech.com/show/os/917/5/
Saskboy | 05-Jun-06 at 8:21 am | Permalink
Thanks for helping Darren, but it’s worse than that. The installer freezes I never get to booting linux. I’ve posted on the forum and have a reply to try and work from but I hold no great hope.
Marc | 05-Jun-06 at 10:24 am | Permalink
Hope you figure out your install problems!
For me, Ubuntu worked great and Dapper Drake makes it even better!
I upgraded to Dapper and was pleasantly surprised to find that my system is much more responsive than with Breezy. Firefox seems especially snappier. I really like the new GNOME deskbar applet too.
Darren | 05-Jun-06 at 2:19 pm | Permalink
Yes, dapper has some problems that they need to work out IMO. Im going to wait another month or so before I upgrade to dapper. It doesn’t seem as polished as breezy. But im not giving up on it. It is definately worth it to stick with linux in the long run.
Darren | 05-Jun-06 at 2:25 pm | Permalink
The website distrowatch has a mini review on dapper. This should shed some light on the ati problems.
http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20060605#firstlook
macadavy | 07-Jun-06 at 11:29 pm | Permalink
You might want to check out PCLinuxOS.
http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?6
ver.82 worked well with my older ATI Rage 128 A-I-W videocard. They now have a version (.92) especially tailored for newer ATI cards - check out their Downloads page.
Best of all they have ‘live’ cds so you can download and test drive it to see if it works with your hardware. I’m a Linux newb and found this to be the most user-friendly distro I’ve yet found. Really good, supportive community in the help forums, too. Check it out!
Saskboy | 07-Jun-06 at 11:41 pm | Permalink
Thanks for the suggestions Darren and Macadavy. After this weekend I’ll give it another shot, after I check the CD isn’t corrupt [which I don't think is the problem].
How do I stop my computer speakers from playing a radio station? » samp | 11-Jun-06 at 12:37 pm | Permalink
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