Re: [ossig] Need suggestion of distro for newbie/average-joe user

[Khairil Yusof <lugs@xxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 2004-12-22 at 14:04 +0000, Mohd Suhaizal Md Kamari wrote:
> I'm planning to install a Linux distro in my brother's
> PC. The PC is going to be used by my dad, sisters, and
> of course this brother of mine. They have some (basic
> usage) computer background. Need suggestion of a
> distro that would be really user friendly. Currently
> I'm shorlisting Fedora Core, SuSe and Mandrake. I'm
> not so sure about which is better (or there are better
> options) for newbies, some newbies in this list who
> had experiences with which distro is the easiest for
> you would really be helpful. Thanks.

I have Fedora Core 3, installed for my family (mom, sisters in college,
teenage brother) and they give the thumbs up for it. Once you setup a
few things, you will no longer get phone calls regarding virus this and
that. :)

Here's a few things I found that they asked for:

- streamyx/broadband connection (to download software) as you won't be
  able to just buy them like for Windows.

  - with FC3 use yum and add extras and livna repositories 
 
  - teach the tech inclined (sister and bro for me) how to search
    and install software, as well as keeping software up to date.
    They pick it up REAL quick by themselves, once you teach them
    google and how to use yum to install software. Ie. my sister
    actually tried to follow a howto she found on google to get
    her usb key working! She failed.. see below. :)

- get these apps running ok and show them basics
 - gaim (msn, yahoo)

- printer/scanner
 - you should also make sure that all users can get digital camera, 
   usb key working (plug and play!). This is out of the box on FC3.

- cdburning/dvd
  Teach them how to use Nautilus burn (burn:///) very newbie friendly
  Make sure dvd/vcd playback works.

- P2P software including bittorrent :)

Overall good experience, because it seems that kids today do a few
things:

- check webmail, friendster is also the rage in high school I hear
  almost forgot get FLASH working.. 
- use messenger to chat with friends
- want to download easily the latest music/videos -> giftoxic + 
  ftlugin, gnome-bittorrent is also good 

Spend a few weekends slowly teaching cool things to do with Linux/FOSS.
Eg. Firefox tabs, how easy it is to find and install full featured
software, how they're almost immune to viruses as long as they click the
update button and don't do admin tasks unless asked.

The biggest problem I've faced is actually - MS Office compatibility. I
tell them to advocate to their friends, by burning a bunch of CDs with
Firefox/OpenOffice for Windows and a LiveCD like Ubuntu (so that with
their usb key, they can go to friends place and still do work) and amaze
their friends.

Sorry if this is not so comprehensible... high on caffeine and sugar..

Good luck!


---------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe: send mail to ossig-request@mncc.com.my
with "unsubscribe ossig" in the body of the message