this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Do you think I would have a similar experience if I got my 70 year old mother to install Linux? She's on the other side of the country, but she's always asking me questions about Windows 11 and breaking things. I have never even used Windows 11, so my capacity to help her isn't great, especially since we haven't been able to get Remote Desktop working since she switched from 10 to 11.
My wife is bad with tech and was frustrated with Windows. i set her up with linux and GNOME. Its a simple interface. Settings are all in one place like a phone. Files, Photos in the overview tray. No more frustration with "what is Windows doing now?" and No more "why is this so slow"
Is she happier with it than Windows? Does she struggle less? My mom already used Libra office, so at least that much wouldn't be an adjustment. My fear is that she'll lock up the first time she has to use the terminal or install something that isn't in the software center.
PS, Gnome is simple, but it's also awesome! I've been using Linux off and on for 20 years now and I prefer Gnome.
She could careless about the OS, just as long as it is peppy like her phone and simple. So yes much happier than her Windows experience. some distros do a nice job at presenting a software store that is easy, like ZorinOS or ElementaryOS. if she isn't getting IT help from anybody and you think terminal install may become an issue, there is OpenSUSE with oneclick install of downloaded RPMs (if you are outside of repos). But SUSE is a bit of its own learning curve.
Thanks for the advice. Learning curves won't work for her. It needs to be like a phone, like you said. I have a lot of experience with Pop and I think she'd be fine with that as long as she doesn't need to use the terminal. The first time it asks her to sudo her head will explode.
Yep, understood. For my wife's I put the apps she needed on the dock and nothing else. And then for the browser I set the default page to always show her main websites as tiles. Backups are automatic to a raspberry pi running samba. So far there has been no issues unless the wifi extender goes goofy and she has to reconnect.
Sadly, no. Youth are generally much, much better at learning new things than old folks. Familiarity is what she needs - my best advice is to find a way to install Windows 10 while you're over there for something else like a holiday.