This ignorance really is horrible

[Kexolino]

Be prepared for a soap opera-like post:

Now, my girlfriend's sister just got a new notebook with no OS on it. And since my girlfriend uses Ubuntu regularly on my machine, and grew to like it (she has no problems using it whatsoever, says it's as simple to use, if not simpler than Windows. Canonical must be doing something right, but that's another story), she told her sister to try it out, and if she likes it, then I can install it.

But nooooo. The clever sister first asked someone else (her boyfriend maybe? lol this really is like a soap opera), and was lectured. These two statements made by that genius are the most amazing I've heard so far: don't bother with Linux, there is no software for it, everything is made for Windows;you have to know and use a programming language every time you want to open an application ( I guess he was referring to the terminal maybe? lol).

Now all she is willing to talk about is Windows 7. Without ever seeing Ubuntu. Not even on a screenshot. It doesn't matter what I tell her, she says Windows 7, period.

And around where I live, I might be going too far if I say that out of 10 Windows machines, not counting laptops, only 1 has a legal (paid for) one on it, so you can imagine what will eventually turn out of this.

Up to this point I was happily suggesting the use of Ubuntu to anyone having problems with Windows, or if they were getting a new computer... But the reactions I get are pretty much sad. And I never say anything frightening; I tell them that there are no viruses and that it's free... But I think from now on in most cases I'm better off just shutting up. I'm getting tired of regularly getting responses like this.

Sorry for the long post. And my English. I'm working on it.

[speedwell68]

You've made your suggestion, she has ignored it out of hand. I wouldn't worry about it, just let her get on with it.

[fatality_uk]

Just read:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=865750&highlight=preach

[3Miro]

Then tell her to go to the other guy when she needs help with her windows.

I help my mother with Windows, since she is my mother. Anyone else, I help with Linux or not at all.

[speedwell68]

Then tell her to go to the other guy when she needs help with her windows.

I help my mother with Windows, since she is my mother. Anyone else, I help with Linux or not at all.

I don't do Windows beyond XP, I just don't know my way around Vista or 7.

[el_koraco]

I help my mother with Windows, since she is my mother. Anyone else, I help with Linux or not at all.

The same here. My best friend, on the other hand, is the go-to guy for anyone in his family/friend circle to go to when people need to reinstall Windows and clean it up from the myriad of malware they manage to pick up on Facebook and porn sites. And they don't even buy him a six-pack for the trouble.

[skierkyles]

Meh, let her pirate Windows on her own. People like what they choose.

If she uses Windows and has 10 problems with it she'll like it more then if you choose Ubuntu and she has 2 problems with it.

(not saying that would be the case, but thats another story...)


That^ and this (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers) is the main reasons I don't help with or mention computers to most anyone.

[lisati]

I don't regularly do any support-type activities beyond this and the WhatIsMyIpAddress forum, but carry a couple of Ubuntu Live CDs in my bag, just in case the work computers (mostly XP and Vista) need some troubleshooting when their regular IT guy is not available. I nearly pulled one out yesterday when the network connection seemed a bit wonky for a few minutes.

[Kexolino]

Just read:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=865750&highlight=preach

That's what I did. I just suggested trying it out to see if she likes it or not. I didn't actually tell her sister anything else.

I don't really care if she doesn't use Ubuntu or anything, everybody uses what they want :) I'm just getting tired of hearing "oooh you can't do anyhing with Linux, it's a peace of crap" lol

[linux-l-lhead]

Sounds like you just needed to vent, which is justified. Is her hard drive big enough for both operating systems? That's how my husband "got" me. Tell her to use this one "temporarily", that you can always remove it. It's worth a try.

Just be glad it's her sister, and not her mother....

[Nyromith]

OP, if she's THAT stupid, you can install Ubuntu on her computer, make a VM of Windows 7 that starts automatically after boot, and you both will be happy ;)

[scouser73]

She's made her choice of OS so you'll have to deal with it, but when...yes when she comes to you about the PC having been infected then you can persuade her to look again at Ubuntu and if she doesn't then more fool her.

[Dustin2128]

Then don't help her at all if she has issues.

[Bandit]

You've made your suggestion, she has ignored it out of hand. I wouldn't worry about it, just let her get on with it.

+ That


And I dont offer support to Windows unless I am weal paid. You can just tell her that you dont offer support for windows and she will have to find someone else to help her.

[sffvba[e0rt]

... or you can be a friend and let her choose what she wants to use just like you do... Using Windows isn't a sin and their is nothing wrong with her choosing it.

Feel free to rectify any FUD that you hear with the truth, but don't go so far to the other side that you become a zealot.


404

[isaacj87]

Why are people so nasty about an OS choice? I mean this as a two-way street (Ubuntu > Windows, Windows > Ubuntu, OS X > Ubuntu, etc.).

When I first started with Linux, I was quite taken with it. Don't get me wrong, I hate it when people spread misinformation, but that's just life. You'd waste your time trying to correct everyone who opened their mouth. As time progressed, I realize that Linux and OSS suited my needs. I can't be presumptuous and think that it suits everyone else's.

I'd like to think that Linux caters to the curious person. Somebody who would like to put some time and effort into learning something different. If this person heard these (untrue) things about Linux and didn't bother to do some simple research, then it's unfortunate, but it shows she was interested in anything different to begin with.

[8_Bit]

It's her loss, not yours. Besides, computer nerds need stupid people to exist, otherwise they would have no one to make money off of. Imagine a world without Windows. I'd be out of a job - removing malware!!

[slooksterpsv]

...

Sorry for the long post. And my English. I'm working on it.

I thought it was great English. A lot better than most people type/write/talk. Anyways, in regards to your post:

I wouldn't let it get to you. If she has an android phone, I'd tell her, oh so you already have Linux on your phone.
Also, most people who are "geniuses" that say that "linux" is nothing more than a command-line OS, are not "geniuses" they are actually uneducated wanna-be IT persons that think Windows is the only thing out there.

Honestly, a lot of people are uneducated on Linux, and it's a struggle, but that's their bad. Cause while they get infected with Viruses, Spyware, etc. I'm doing what I love to do on my computer, plus I don't complain cause everything just works in Ubuntu.

Take a deep breath, relax, and know that you're a better person for obeying the laws and using a product that fits your needs better that is legal. Otherwise, let them deal with the notices that they get for "pirating" windows. Just don't have any part of it.

=D Here's a gold star for you: :KS

Eat some popcorn and watch the screams and cries about getting their computer fixed continue::popcorn:

[Kexolino]

If she has an android phone, I'd tell her, oh so you already have Linux on your phone.

That's what she's planning to get. I was thinking about asking which programming language she wanted to learn xD

Please don't think that I'm at all bothered by her choice, I can't be... As I said, I don't have a problem with it or anyone using Windows for that matter.

I once saw a thread, where the OP wanted help from the people here to convince his best friend about the superiority of Linux or something like that lol. This one's not like that. It's just that this ignorance is simply amazing to me. That even without preaching, the reactions I get are almost always bad. I get that some people don't want to learn though, but then it would just be easier to say that they don't want to, right? :lolflag:

[slooksterpsv]

That's what she's planning to get. I was thinking about asking which programming language she wanted to learn xD

Haha, I love it



I get that some people don't want to learn though, but then it would just be easier to say that they don't want to, right? :lolflag:

They think learning is hard, especially moving to a whole new system, but they do it every time they go from say XP to 7 or XP to Vista or Vista to 7. They learn a new system, new way to use their computer. THey don't realize it, but they do. So to not learn another OS will actually limit them. If I ever have my own company, you either learn Ubuntu or know it, no ifs ands or buts. No Windows allowed (or Mac OS X) =D

[Thewhistlingwind]

Let me start off with your score tally:

+1 For not pirating windows :D

+1 For recommending a LEGAL alternative to piracy.

+1 For your English, I've met many native speakers who's command was far worse then that. In fact, your English is great.

Onto the actual situation. My response to such things is simple, "If your going to be installing windows anyway, you may as well install Ubuntu first and if you don't like it revert back to installing windows over it, as it stands the computer is a brick. May as well make it temporarily useful."

[NightwishFan]

I agree with the way forward being 'let them do what they want and not worry about it'. As a friend I only recommend open source software but I will give some minor support for Windows if asked.

[pbpersson]

Sorry for the long post. And my English. I'm working on it.

I think your English is wonderful! :D

I don't know if I would want to recommend Linux to someone because they would want me to fix all their problems and I don't think I want to spend hours doing that.

For that very reason, I would NEVER recommend Windows. ;)

I have been an IT professional since 1983 and my experience has taught me that if someone asks me how to be happy I recommend they avoid computers all all costs. :lolflag:

I mean, they are sort of like automobiles as far as I am concerned. They are great to have and we can't live without them but.....sometimes they can be SOOOO frustrating. ](*,)

[Zero2Nine]

I agree with the way forward being 'let them do what they want and not worry about it'. As a friend I only recommend open source software but I will give some minor support for Windows if asked.

What happened to your avatar?

[NightwishFan]

What happened to your avatar?
Really off topic. :)

Umm.. It flew away.

[beew]

I have heard something more amazing. I was trying to persuade my room mate to switch to Linux after her Vista netbook was nuked the nth times by virus (and Vista is running too slow on it even if it is not infected) She asked her coworker and the coworker said the only problem with Linux is that you have no privacy because everytime firefox opens it shows where you were at the last session. :)

It looks like she is sold on the idea, I am installing Xubuntu 11.04 on her netbook soon. :)

[Thewhistlingwind]

She asked her coworker and the coworker said the only problem with Linux is that you have no privacy because everytime firefox opens it shows where you were at the last session. :)



More interesting then the actual statement, is trying to figure out where it derived from. (What they REALLY read/heard, or what the person who told them read/heard.)

On that note, apparently every boot of windows reports it's location to microsoft, so it's not like that'd be any worse. (I'm not sure I believe that either.)

[beew]

More interesting then the actual statement, is trying to figure out where it derived from. (What they REALLY read/heard, or what the person who told them read/heard.)

On that note, apparently very boot of windows reports it's location to microsoft, so it's not like that'd be any worse. (I'm not sure I believe that either.)

It is derived from the fact that the Linux user she (the coworker) knows have set Firefox's preference to "show my windows and tabs from last session". :)

[Thewhistlingwind]

It is derived from the fact that the Linux user she (the coworker) knows have set Firefox's preference to "show my windows and tabs from last session". :)

On a completely unrelated note, that is EXACTLY the option I was trying to set as default, thanks!

[RoflHaxBbq]

If she is too ignorant to even consider Linux, then it's her loss.

I suggest that you just let her have whatever she wants, but DON'T ever help her with any problems she has with it. Tell her to find somebody else to do it for her.

[Random_Dude]

Don't worry.
If you just refuse to give free Windows tech support, it's just less work that you have to do. You should be happy.

Cheers :cool:

[Oxwivi]

Most of the repliers seems to be forgetting what the OP's bottom line is: he is getting tired of hearing Linux for geeks phrase, not the specific issue with his GF's sister.

Anyway, OP, don't give up as long as you can - you're bound to chance upon more open individuals. You're doing awesome for having being able to push thus far - try to see it through!