KodiacZiller
join:2008-09-04
73368
| reply to norwegian
Re: Ubuntu v's Windows
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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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
 ·WestNet Broadband
| 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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salzan
Experienced Optimist
Premium
join:2004-01-08
WA State
1 edit | reply to norwegian
said by norwegian :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. Getting the wireless connection to work reliably was the biggest problem I had with setting up Ubuntu. Would you be at your Mom's place to get it all set up and running?
Will you be able to talk her through getting it to work by phone if she loses connection? |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| said by salzan :Getting the wireless connection to work reliably was the biggest problem I had with setting up Ubuntu. Would you be at your Mom's place to get it all set up and running? Will you be able to talk her through getting it to work by phone if she loses connection? Very valid point. No I will not.
I will have the laptop here till I am happy with the end result before passing it on. So the connection may be better looked at from my end first.
If I organise the hardware to connect, I can set it all up here at home, shut down everything not needed, password protect everything that needs it and when it comes to sending it to her, organise what passwords she will use for the ISP connection before it ships and she has it connected. That way it will be basically plug it in and nothing to do so troubleshooting can be eliminated before it gets there.
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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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