Windows to Linux

[FriendInNeed]

At my house, me and my dad are totaly fed up with Windows. We want to switch to Linux (probably Ubuntu), but I'm afraid that my mom, who isn't as tech savvy, will completly give up on computers in general if she has to learn a new operating system. Any thoughts?

[ray326]

If she's not tech savvy she'll hardly notice the difference. You might want to check into using the KDE version, kubuntu, which has a much more Windows-like look and feel. I'm pretty sure if you add the KDE desktop onto ubuntu you can then set the system up to use Gnome or KDE based on who is logging in.

Even in Gnome about all you should have to do is show her that starting a program happens from "up here" rather than "down there." Boot a live CD and see what she thinks.

[Kevey]

I have an XP box and a Linux (Ubuntu) box. My wife and kids switch between the two seamlessly. It took about a week to get the hang of where a few things are located...but if all your mom does is email and cruise the net it'll be a snap. It comes with Firefox and the email client is called evolution. They look and feel close enough to IE and Outlook Express that they should have no issues. Go for it!

[FriendInNeed]

Thanks, I'm going to talk it over more with the family, but I think we're probably get the linux system. Thanks.