norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
 ·WestNet Broadband
| Ubuntu v's Windows
As the title says.
I'm looking at setting up a laptop for my mum.
- It will be used for mainly email, IM, photos
- She has no experience
- I have very limited experience with any linux(a live CD or 2 is all).
- Xp Home is currently installed, but will be format/installing fresh, if I use windows.
- To do anything for her,(other side of the country), I will need to remote desktop, or use LogMeIn to manage it.
I'm basically looking at security for her.
Ease of use for basic functions and as she is inexperienced, wondering if my limited playing will affect issues like Instant Messaging/camera for the grandkids to communicate. I see items like Pidgin as a compatible IM to help cross over the different colours of IM, but there is the issue of what can be installed on Linux.
Note: Linux is better fan's need not reply. I'm not asking for which is better, I've drawn my conclusions already there. I realise this will start a war...LOL...I just want to know the pro's/con's before approaching the end result.
This is a practicality issue against security benefits for her needs/experience v's location for maintainance.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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Vampirefo
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-11
Huntington, WV
 ·Comcast
| reply to norwegian
Re: Ubuntu v's Windows
Ubuntu isn't Linux it is a Linux distro, I see that all the time people comparing windows to Ubuntu cause people for whatever reason thinks Ubuntu is linux.
It would be as dumb as me saying Linux verses w98, windows users would jump up and say windows 98 is just a version of windows it not windows.
There are over 300 distro or versions of Linux, Linux is as easy to use as any os, it will do all that you require, now does Ubuntu do that no clue, never used it.
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Best RegardsVampirefo |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21 | reply to norwegian
Re: Ubuntu v's Windows
Any general Linux distro should be able to do all that's needed, including Ubuntu. I've not used Ubuntu extensively either.
BTW - you can keep Windows installed along with Linux. You are not required to delete it. |
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KodiacZiller
join:2008-09-04
73368
| reply to norwegian
If security is your primary concern, then I recommend one of the following "easy to use" Linux distros:
Ubuntu
PCLOS
Mandriva
Linux Mint
If you don't mind running a 32 bit system, then PCLOS is definitely the way to go for a beginner. Like with most Linux distros, installing software is as easy as opening up the package manager and browsing for what you want.
As for security, be sure to tell your mom to use a user account (you will be prompted to set one up when you install, and most distros won't allow you to log-in to the desktop as root anyway). If she has a router, you won't need to enable IPtables (firewall) since outgoing connections won't be an issue (since viruses and trojans are non-existent and cannot install themselves even if they were). No AV or other such junk will be needed. |
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Sindows 7
join:2006-09-13
Hope, BC
| reply to norwegian
Re: Ubuntu v's Windows
Which of these games can I play on any OS besides Windows? |
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tempnexus
Premium
join:1999-08-11
Boston, MA
| You might get the, PS, SNES and Atari emulators on other OS.
ID software (Wolfenstein) will play in Linux but besides that...good luck....but wait you can get a very nice Photoshop CS on MAC and spend productive hours editing pictures for Photoshop Phriday at Somethingawful.com |
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Sir Meowmix III
@windstream.net
| reply to Sindows 7
said by Sindows 7  :Which of these games can I play on any OS besides Windows? Wolf you can, no problems there. You cannot play these games under Linux. I will use »Vista IE 7 Freeze Soild, can't close or get desktop as a reference.
* IE7; Random Freeze
* Return to Malware, Deluxe Edition
* AV rotating-cups; 0 day adventure
* DRM, it's neat!
* Montazune's revenge, incompetent date handling.
* Lay-off 2009; 17K vaporization
* Vista; it's a complete re-write (excluding 2nd Tuesday's)
* IE7; IE6 with innovative tabbed browsing.
* OEM Strong-Arm, Double-Fist III
Those games look pretty neat.
* |
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norwegian_away
@net.au
| reply to norwegian
I may point out, the laptop is coming free too, so this is why windows is already on it, it is only a 32-bit box.
She won't be a gamer either, just mail/photos/IM really, maybe next year it will change, but she is near 60!
MAC O/S, sarcasm aside is a very dear box to buy! Even though my Apple IIc at the time, I would not have looked elsewhere, and Macintosh then were way out of my league. 
thanks for the input so far everyone. |
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salzan
Experienced Optimist
Premium
join:2004-01-08
WA State
| reply to norwegian
I put Ubuntu on my Wife's computer when I rebuilt it and, for day to day surfing, email, writing letters and such, it's fine. It even recognizes her digital camera just like Windows does. From her standpoint, there is no difference.
With that said, if you know little about Linux and are going to attempt to work on it remotely, I wouldn't recommend it. |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| said by salzan :I put Ubuntu on my Wife's computer when I rebuilt it and, for day to day surfing, email, writing letters and such, it's fine. It even recognizes her digital camera just like Windows does. From her standpoint, there is no difference. The only problem I can tell is the IM client. I can't see this setup not having an IM on. Whether we need to look at video due to our expensive connections down under is another thing.
said by salzan :With that said, if you know little about Linux and are going to attempt to work on it remotely, I wouldn't recommend it. This is one of my biggest concerns and half the reason I asked here before being a fool and rushing it off to her, only to find this may be an issue later.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| reply to SUMware
said by SUMware :Any general Linux distro should be able to do all that's needed, including Ubuntu. I've not used Ubuntu extensively either. Both you and Vampirefo are saying the same thing here. I've not found an IM client to run. Is Gaim the only one, if so will it work with others enough?
said by SUMware :BTW - you can keep Windows installed along with Linux. You are not required to delete it. I really can't see the point in that. It would be easier to just uninstall, source Microsoft to obtain the OEM and have it for another machine.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| reply to KodiacZiller
said by KodiacZiller :If security is your primary concern, then I recommend one of the following "easy to use" Linux distros: Ubuntu PCLOS Mandriva Linux Mint If you don't mind running a 32 bit system, then PCLOS is definitely the way to go for a beginner. Like with most Linux distros, installing software is as easy as opening up the package manager and browsing for what you want. I will have a browse over these but what of software for them that may need installing, how limiting is some of the choices that may come into play later? Guess I need to do a little research.
said by KodiacZiller :As for security, be sure to tell your mom to use a user account (you will be prompted to set one up when you install, and most distros won't allow you to log-in to the desktop as root anyway). If she has a router, you won't need to enable IPtables (firewall) since outgoing connections won't be an issue (since viruses and trojans are non-existent and cannot install themselves even if they were). No AV or other such junk will be needed. This is what I'm considering Linux for to start with, it is her inexperience and emails off others that will nail the box, knowing all too well emails off friends who do not research what they are doing only to pass it on to someone else who knows even less.
As for the router, being she will want the functionality of wireless, I think the best approach is getting a wireless router, or a router, then wireless endpoint, as our wireless in Australia is...well...a rip off, especially if using a cam to chat comes into play.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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ilago
Premium
join:2005-06-28
Australia
·Internode
| said by norwegian :said by KodiacZiller :If security is your primary concern, then I recommend one of the following "easy to use" Linux distros: Ubuntu PCLOS Mandriva Linux Mint If you don't mind running a 32 bit system, then PCLOS is definitely the way to go for a beginner. Like with most Linux distros, installing software is as easy as opening up the package manager and browsing for what you want. I will have a browse over these but what of software for them that may need installing, how limiting is some of the choices that may come into play later? Guess I need to do a little research. If you select a KDE desktop, then Kopete is built-in. It is not the same as Gaim. It may be worth also asking this here »All Things Unix
I don't use a webcam but I'm aware of several other people that do successfully use video chat on various linux distros.
I'd second the choice of distros although I prefer PCLinuxOS running KDE as the desktop rather than Gnome. I'm using openSuse one box and PCLinuxOS on my laptop.
The linux user groups are usually helpful and I think most Australian states have active mailing lists for questions and assistance. The SA linux user group is active and helpful »www.linux.org.au/usergroups |
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Vampirefo
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-11
Huntington, WV | reply to norwegian
For IM's use Pidgin Internet Messenger this covers almost every client including irc.
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Best RegardsVampirefo |
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