I Want You!

[youknowwhat4q]

Well, not really you, but your opinion would be much appreciated.

I am in the works on a distro right now and I would like a few outside opinions.

First thing I ask of you is to forget everything that you know about computers, software, hardware, programming and the internet. Now I want you to pretend you are one of your grandparents and you are sitting at your computer.

What do you need?

What do you want?

What confuses you?

What frustrates you?

This distro's working title is "Grandpa" Linux, and I want it to be 100% accessible to anyone who might sit down in front of it. The idea came about after the millionth time that I fixed a friend's parents or grandparents computer. Usually eliminating viruses or preforming maintenance that really shouldn't be necessary, but unfortunately not everyone has been pounding away on a keyboard since the IBM 5150. The solution came to me one day when my girlfriend brought it up to me that my computers never get viruses or need to be wiped and after explaining linux and it's workings in vivid detail it hit me. If I could make a version of linux that is easy as possible to use then I could mike like a little easier for those that put us on this earth.

I'm still working out ideas on what programs will be easiest to use with out prior knowledge. Also most compatible with all common hardware types.

Hopefully this thread flourishes, and soon I will spreading the linux seed to the previous generation.

[0per4t0r]

It needs to go fast, be compatible, have mostly open software(What ol' grampa don't know won't hurt him), be pretty easy to use, have what you need built-in, has to be easy to install, and advanced desktop effects are always nice :)

[planegenius]

Now I want you to pretend you are one of your grandparents and you are sitting at your computer.


Haha, I really don't have to imagine man, I will never forget the day that my grandma first used a computer. She couldn't even use the mouse, and I had to come over to help her turn it off. Now, I will pretend to be my grandma and answer your questions.

1) I need something that works. No confusing features or programs, I just want to type what I need to type and view web pages.
2) I want a computer that is reliable and very easy to use. I'm not like all these kids with there new technology, so I'll want a lot of help learning about these things.
3) I am easily confused by all these menus and folders. Make it simple for me.
4) I get frustated when I tell it to do something, and it doesn't do it. Some of these error messages come up and I have no idea how to fix these. I have no idea who to call for help.

Once again, thats my grandma talking, not me. You have a really good idea. The population is aging, and more and more older people are starting to get into computing. I just saw a news report that said that Facebook is gathering a new and large user base of women 55 years old and over. So, no question about it, you have a market. My advice, keep it very simple. Focus on an easy to use interface. Maybe include some documentation on how to use your os and where to get help?

Best of luck to you.

pg

[youknowwhat4q]

Thank you guys for the quick insightful responses.

About too many folders and directories, I was thinking about merging the desktop and the home folder. No worrying about finding the videos or music folders, because they will be visible at all times!

A single menu (similar to the Ubuntu Main Menu) with simple English (and other languages someday). Icons that are easy to recognize and distinguish.

Please keep it coming!

[pbpersson]

If there are codecs missing, GET THEM

If I try to open a file and I don't have the right app, INSTALL IT

If there is a file corrupted, FIX IT

The OS needs to be self-healing so people can just use it

[pbpersson]

I know people will hate this idea - and I once had an OS that did this....

Menus need to be laid out by function

I want to play my music
I want to watch a DVD
I want to scan a document

Instead of names like XSane, Amarok, and Totem

[planegenius]

Thank you guys for the quick insightful responses.

About too many folders and directories, I was thinking about merging the desktop and the home folder. No worrying about finding the videos or music folders, because they will be visible at all times!

A single menu (similar to the Ubuntu Main Menu) with simple English (and other languages someday). Icons that are easy to recognize and distinguish.

Please keep it coming!

Yep, there ya go. I'd really focus on making it like you said, "100% accessible to anyone who might sit down in front of it." If you sit back and think of simple interfaces like those on ATM machines. Simple and to the point, no fancy effects, they just do what they are designed to do. I like my computer to be complicated and interesting though. By my grandma and my parents want it to be functional and work and are very detracted by any sort of confusion. We ask on forums or google whenever we have a problem, they have no idea what to do.

[xuCGC002]

Put myself in the role of my grandparent, eh? Well...


I want to check my email without having to type my password every time!
I want everything to look and work like my computer at my office!
I want the computer to give me everything i want instantly!
I want it to recognize my voice instead of typing!
I hate clicking mice- get rid of that!
I hate ads!
I hate it when i can't send all the photos in my email to Kodak!


There. That should cover it.

[MikeTheC]

I need it to give me the answers to the search results before I do the search.

Oh, yeah, and another thing. I'd like it to cook me breakfast every morning.

Can your Linux distro do that?

:guitar:

[youknowwhat4q]

I need it to give me the answers to the search results before I do the search.

Oh, yeah, and another thing. I'd like it to cook me breakfast every morning.

Can your Linux distro do that?

:guitar:

Haha, no not yet at least. Though I thought about writing a program that eliminates the need for free will and creative thought. Oh wait that's called windows.

[Greg]

A simple, lightweight WM. Big buttons with the names of the task rather than the name of the application. Single click to navigate, not double click. Easy remote-control setup for outside help. Real time extensible in LISP.

[Namtabmai]

I want a package system that seamless integrates all existing package formats ( deb, rpm, ebuild, etc ), can work out dependences between the two and is future proofed to allow support for any new formats that are developed.

I DON'T want a new package format, or a system that converts between the two. Just ( I use that word very lightly ) integrates different systems under one roof.


Oh and the moon on the stick when you've got the above sorted.

[youknowwhat4q]

I want a package system that seamless integrates all existing package formats ( deb, rpm, ebuild, etc ), can work out dependences between the two and is future proofed to allow support for any new formats that are developed.

I DON'T want a new package format, or a system that converts between the two. Just ( I use that word very lightly ) integrates different systems under one roof.


Oh and the moon on the stick when you've got the above sorted.

As daunting as it sounds, I honestly think it's do able.


Thank you all again for the help, keep it coming! Ask your parents/grandparents for their input.

[Mehall]

Doesn't Synaptic run on pretty much every distro, regardless of underlying package format?

[Namtabmai]

As daunting as it sounds, I honestly think it's do able.

Many people have tried and so far no one has been able to, but don't let this put you off. You might just be the person that produces the single piece of software that harmonises all the different Linux distros.


Doesn't Synaptic run on pretty much every distro, regardless of underlying package format?

Synaptic is just a level above apt which only deals with debs, while you could probably run it on other distros it wouldn't integrate with a distro with a different underlying package manager.

[Mehall]

Many people have tried and so far no one has been able to, but don't let this put you off. You might just be the person that produces the single piece of software that harmonises all the different Linux distros.



Synaptic is just a level above apt which only deals with debs, while you could probably run it on other distros it wouldn't integrate with a distro with a different underlying package manager.

Well.. you can get Synaptic on Fedora, but that might be because you can get apt-rpm.

maybe just support more ports of apt? idk...

[Namtabmai]

maybe just support more ports of apt? idk...

In an ideal world, probably. Most people who complain about Linux's diversity holding it back talk about Gnome/KDE etc, but the fact there are so many different package formats is a much bigger problem.

[Bölvaður]

rule number 1 is going to the actual user.... brainstorming is good but it is out of touch with the actual user.

Please ask old people you see on the street, it will give you better results than brainstorming.



From my experience with people a little above middle age, is that they just want to surf the internet and store images from their camera on the computer, nothing else. And if they cannot click 1 icon to do it, then it is broken.
Stability is therefore the most important thing, panels, icons... nothing can change... ever! and it must work... allways! (yes I know it should be "must always work" but then it would break the pattern Im making wouldnt it...)

[Electron]

What do you need?

What do you want?

What confuses you?

What frustrates you?



1. I (grampa) needs Internet, IM, printer, photo, webcamera application, money management application, writer.
2. No hassle, media player, all codecs, email program.
3. Too many choices.
4. No tutorials, info/ documentation.

Due to the fact that not many grampas "know" how to look for info please include a well documented distro, and wireless support (in case of a laptop). The distro should include Big icons and bigger than average letters (this will be optional at installation) and last but not least a medical software that will make it easier for them to keep track of medical records, medicines, and doctor appointments.
I you really wants a lot more info, got to any AARP offices, website, and/or forum and ask the senior community what they want.

[Mehall]

In an ideal world, probably. Most people who complain about Linux's diversity holding it back talk about Gnome/KDE etc, but the fact there are so many different package formats is a much bigger problem.

Well surely having more package managers available is more diversity ;)

I don't mean make everyone use .deb, I DO mean port apt to other systems, like it has been ported for rpm.

[Namtabmai]

Exactly. It's why I said "probably". I don't want to stop anyone using what ever packaging format they want to use, I only wanted to point out that the package diversity is what I believe is really hurting Linux support by software companies.
The different package systems is really what separates distros at the moment, and it's why porting apt to other distros won't work. Let's not even get into the argument that rpm is the prefered standard. :(

[warfacegod]

No need for a terminal. Make the assumption that folks looking to use your distro are going to be come off of a Windows addiction.

[MikeTheC]

In re-reading this thread title, it just occured to me this reminds me of something...


http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/babylon5/images/thumb/c/ca/Morden.jpg/300px-Morden.jpg
What do you want?

[Wiebelhaus]

What do you need?


Safe Surfing for News, Porn , Music , Research and safe email.



What do you want?



Family Tree maker or like wise software and card games.



What confuses you?


Everything but mostly this new language "Nerdic" the furthest and fastest growing language ever , I need clear descriptions and obvious directions.



What frustrates you?


Everything about these stupid computers but mostly having to ask for help! I survived a cotton farm during the great depression as a child and managed to raise a family during the 60's and still built my own wealth on my own terms. Having to ask for help belittles me.

[youknowwhat4q]

Safe Surfing for News, Porn , Music , Research and safe email.

Should be fairly easy. I was curious if you guys think that a Firefox package specifically for it would be a good or bad thing. It could make it much more convenient, but it could confuse anyone who already knows how to use it.


Family Tree maker or like wise software and card games.

These are both pretty standard thing, GRAMPS and of course the standard gnome games package.


Everything but mostly this new language "Nerdic" the furthest and fastest growing language ever , I need clear descriptions and obvious directions.

This is one thing I will need help with, do I default the menu to call AbiWord "Word Processor" or do I just append the function after the name.


Everything about these stupid computers but mostly having to ask for help! I survived a cotton farm during the great depression as a child and managed to raise a family during the 60's and still built my own wealth on my own terms. Having to ask for help belittles me.

And that is the genesis of this project. A smooth transition in to computing that leaves the option for learning open.