Ask Slashdot: Linux For Grandma?

First time accepted submitter BlazeMiskulin writes "With XP approaching end-of-life, I find myself in a situation that I'm guessing is common: What to do with Mom's machine (or 'grandma's machine' for the younger of you). Since a change has to be made, this seems like a good time to move to a Linux distro. My mother (82) uses her computer for e-mail and web-browsing only. I know that any distro will be able to handle her needs. I've been using Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, and Redhat--usually with KDE interface) for about 10 years now, but I know that my preferences are quite different from hers.

I have my own ideas, but I'm curious what others think: What combination of distro and UI would you recommend for an old, basic-level user who is accustomed to the XP interface and adverse to change?" My Grandmother seems happy running KDE on Debian.

Linux Mint XFCE edition

[arfonrg]

..and that is coming from a die-hard Slackware user.

Chrome OS

[Anonymous Coward]

If all she is doing is basic email and web browsing, why not use chrome os.

And yes, it is Linux

Get a Chromebook.

[sfsetse]

http://www.google.com/intl/en/... [google.com] I've moved my mother from WinXP to a Chromebook three months back, and because she was already using Chrome beforehand, she took to it while hardly noticing it was different. I haven't needed to help her once to do what she normally does (email and web).

Re:Linux Mint XFCE edition

[arfonrg]

I have moved several parents to Linux with Mint. The XFCE edition is the most windows like (especially if you select the Redmond theme) that I have found. Email, web-browsing and solitaire all work so they are happy.

ChromeOS

[zoid.com]

ChromeOS is perfect for Grandma.

Re:Chromebook

[ToasterTester]

I agree Chromebook is excellent choice for anyone who just wants email and web browser and on rare occasion a bit more. I know even younger users (in 50's and 60's) tired of tweaking computers or expensive Apple devices have happily moved to Chromebooks.

iPad

[John Bokma]

Maybe not the answer you're looking for, but let your (grand)mother try an iPad. My mother (who is also a grandmother) loves it, and keeps telling me so.

Re:Chromebook

[dwheeler]

I've had better luck with Chromebooks. Cloud printers are now very common, and in many cases buying a new printer costs little and is a big improvement anyway. For a list of printers that can work this way, see: http://www.google.com/cloudpri... [google.com] I hate trackpads anyway, and I've had excellent success with normal mice on a Chromebook. Apple components often don't like working with non-Apple components, that may be the problem there. And all built-in laptop speakers are bad; if it matters, get speakers, they're cheap.

Re:Ask her if she will accept any little change

[jomcty]

Ditto to Linux Mint LTS. Don't forget to install the ssh-server and x11vnc for remote management. :) I replaced WinXP on my Dad's computer with LM and forgot to install the ssh server since it isn't installed by default; I was accustomed to RH distros and assumed ssh-server was installed by default.

Re:Ask her if she will accept any little change

[techno-vampire]

One warning: Unity, with the need to get the mouse into a very small strip down the left side of the screen to get to menus, is not at all "Parkinson's friendly." After several months of struggling with it, my older sister let me install Xfce on her Ubuntu desktop, and she's found it much easier. And, when she got a laptop, we started off with Xubuntu because we knew that was what she wanted. You may not find Xfce as comfortable as we do, (I use it on Fedora.) but if you're setting up a computer for somebody who has difficulties with small, precise hand motions, pick a DE that doesn't require them, and you'll all be better off.

Re:Chromebook

[Anonymous Coward]

Then just get a Chromebox from Asus (or HP sometime later this year) if it's going to be always hooked to a screen and a regular keyboard & mouse.

Re:Who Fucking Cares?

[iggymanz]

those minimal requirements are B.S., they'll get you a system that would bog down on typical youtube page. Hard disk with a windows office product and typical software will need 20+ GB to actually run.

from experience, minimal win 8 machine needs 4GB RAM, 60 GB disk