Knoppix created a potential Linux convert

[aysiu]

I'm not putting this in the Ubuntu Testimonials section because it has mainly to do with Knoppix, but today was an exciting day in the world of Linux for me.

A colleague of mine has had all sorts of problems with her Windows computers (Dell, specifically), both at work and at home. I think part of it is just her not being a "Windows power user," but she's also just had bad luck or weird situations.

For example, her work computer won't start up (I'm talking even the BIOS completing--not Windows loading) unless she unplugs all the USB connections from it. She had some website she visited hijack her Firefox homepage, resulting in my having to edit her about:config manually to change it back (the regular preferences wouldn't take effect). Her Windows computer at home crashed, and someone (Dell tech support? I don't know who) told her it'd take $500 to recover. She also lost her copy of Microsoft Office and was said that after getting a new hard drive, she has no Office application. She mainly emails and uses the internet.

Is that just a person begging for Linux or what?

The first thing I did was tell her about OpenOffice (which, surprisingly, she'd never heard of), and she sounded really excited about it.

Then, today, I showed her Knoppix. The idea of Knoppix was so revolutionary to her that she couldn't believe it, and I had to explain over and over again what it is and what it's doing.

I introduced it as a way to recovery data from a crashed Windows. I also explained that it wasn't installing on her hard drive but using her RAM (which I described as her computer's "temporary memory" as opposed to the hard drive, which I described as her computer's "permanent memory") and the CD itself to set up a way to access her files without needing to boot Windows.

Right away, she loved it. She loved the little Tux mascot that popped up and all the colored text that appears during bootup. I had to tell her to single-click instead of double-clicking, and I also had to tell her that sda1 and sda2 were her hard drives, but she was very impressed that Knoppix had the ability to recover files from a crashed Windows, and when I had her click on the KMenu (instead of the Start Menu) to shut down, she had a giddiness in her voice as she said, "It's like a whole new world!"

I then explained how Linux was like another operating system (I didn't want to call it a kernel) and Knoppix was this German version of it designed specifically to be live and not need a hard drive installation but that there were other versions you could install to your hard drive. She felt bad about taking it, so I said, "It's free. I can always download another copy," and her reply? "So I can tell all my friends about this, and they can have their own copies?" "Yes."

That was a pretty amazing exchange. Will she ever install Ubuntu (or have me install Ubuntu) on her hard drive? Who knows? But even getting people aware of alternatives (OpenOffice, Knoppix) is a start.

[Engnome]

Nice, doing tech support for friends and showing off ey? I like to have DSL on a thumb drive, that impresses even more than live cds. Some don't even know what a thumb drive is and are very surprised when their Windows computer tranforms into a Linux machine.

Anyway nice going not forcing Ubuntu on her, but telling about opensource for windows and then they can decide for themselves if they want to try using a completely free OS. If it's their own decision to try something new they are more "I'm gonna make this work!" rather than "Your damn OS dont work, give me Windows back" When I started out with ubuntu I was on my way to doing this mistake but I stopped myself.

Maybe it's best be play hard to get. "Are you sure you want a virus free OS? It's involves some getting used to. Are you sure you are up to it?"

BTW what did Dell want 500$ for? recovering her files?

[skirkpatrick]

aysiu, regarding the computer that has problems booting with USB devices plugged in: one of the guys in my gaming clan had a similar problem but only with USB storage devices plugged in (specifically an iPod). I believe he fixed it with a BIOS update.

[miesnerd]

Originally Posted by Engnome BTW what did Dell want 500$ for? recovering her files?

Yeah, I thought that was pretty darn crazy, since you can BUY A NEW DELL LAPTOP for less than $500. Sure, its bottom of the line, but new vs old?? Come on.
I've had several experiences where I was either in a computer lab or a library and I use knoppix or DSL (carry both on CD-R's with me) and people's necks strain or I catch a double-take. Also, its pretty exciting to let my friends who are fed up with paying for stuff know that there are free, BETTER, alternatives out there from firefox (some people somehow still use IE) to OpenOffice to GAIM (now has a new name) to whatever. Maybe its just my little world, but it feels like the open source community is really starting to get some much deserved attention.

[apres]

Nice story, though I'm not really sure how installing GNU/Linux would remedy the aforementioned booting issues. Also, I think you are overestimating the knowledge of the computer-illeterite, particularly when pertaining to open-source/free software. Few have even heard of the term. Even fewer can name two or three free and open-source (read: not "freeware") programs.

For a user like her, who primarily uses his or her computer for surfing the web and sending email, GNU/Linux is an excellent choice. I'm glad she likes it.

[aysiu]

Originally Posted by Engnome Nice, doing tech support for friends and showing off ey? I like to have DSL on a thumb drive, that impresses even more than live cds. Some don't even know what a thumb drive is and are very surprised when their Windows computer tranforms into a Linux machine.

Yes--DSL is nice, but for this scenario, Knoppix seemed most appropriate. I love embedded DSL--no need to even reboot!

Anyway nice going not forcing Ubuntu on her, but telling about opensource for windows and then they can decide for themselves if they want to try using a completely free OS. If it's their own decision to try something new they are more "I'm gonna make this work!" rather than "Your damn OS dont work, give me Windows back" When I started out with ubuntu I was on my way to doing this mistake but I stopped myself.

I made this mistake by forcing Mepis on a Windows-using friend of mine a year and a half ago. I was an overenthusiastic new user and she was, sadly, a Windows power user (the hardest people to switch). It definitely backfired...

BTW what did Dell want 500$ for? recovering her files?

I'm not even sure it was Dell. She didn't say whom she was trying to get support from (Dell over the phone? Or shady computer fix-it place around the corner from where she lives?).

Originally Posted by skirkpatrick aysiu, regarding the computer that has problems booting with USB devices plugged in: one of the guys in my gaming clan had a similar problem but only with USB storage devices plugged in (specifically an iPod). I believe he fixed it with a BIOS update.

That sounds great. Forgive my ignorance, but how does one go about updating the BIOS?

Originally Posted by apres Nice story, though I'm not really sure how installing GNU/Linux would remedy the aforementioned booting issues.

I never said it would. In fact, I never even offered to install Linux for her. I allowed her to try out and keep a Knoppix live CD for the purposes of file recovery should she experience another unrecoverable Windows crash.

Also, I think you are overestimating the knowledge of the computer-illeterite, particularly when pertaining to open-source/free software. Few have even heard of the term. Even fewer can name two or three free and open-source (read: not "freeware") programs.

I think you need to re-read my post. I know she hadn't heard of open source or OpenOffice or Linux. That's why I tried my best to explain things in simple terms. Please, re-read my post. You'll see I made no assumptions about her foreknowledge of things open source.

For a user like her, who primarily uses his or her computer for surfing the web and sending email, GNU/Linux is an excellent choice. I'm glad she likes it.

Yes, I believe it would be an excellent choice, but I'm going to take it slow--just be a facilitator, should she ever wish to install it. Honestly, even if she just uses OpenOffice and occasionally plays around with the Knoppix live CD, that's a pretty good start!

[apres]

Great idea to take it slow. Don't try to shower her with things about "open source", "free software", and she won't even notice the difference between the two, except her new system looks a bit nicer. Good luck.

[RAV TUX]

Awesome experience, Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading this aysiu.

(Especially since I am an open user of KNOPPIX INSTALLED! on my hard drive...I actually installed the 8.0 GB "Maxi" DVD version of KNOPPIX 5.0.1)

great idea to take it slow...

[aysiu]

Originally Posted by yozef Awesome experience, Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading this aysiu. (Especially since I am an open user of KNOPPIX INSTALLED! on my hard drive...I actually installed the 8.0 GB "Maxi" DVD version of KNOPPIX 5.0.1) great idea to take it slow...

I gave her Knoppix 4.0.2, which I guess is old.

I should try out 5.0.1--see what improvements have been made!

[mips]

aysiu,

Di you ever get her to install linux of some sort ?