My Dad's agreed to try Linux

[zachtib]

Well, today I'm getting my new T61p, and I'm giving my Dad my old R51. Originally, he wanted me to put XP back on it, but just the other day, he asked me to leave Ubuntu on it so he could give it a try.

The main things he uses a computer for is web browsing, email, and solitaire, so I think I can get him to like Ubuntu for that.

As it is, my Mom already uses Linux in a Virtual Machine for work, running it under Mac OS X on her MacBook Pro.

I'm proud to come from such a tech-oriented background. :D

[BarfBag]

Awesome! Keep us posted!

[th3james]

Yeah, the first time i was really convinced Ubuntu was ready was when i put it on my parents machine.
My dad loves it, my mum doesn't seem to know any different... Sister uses it happily too, and my girlfriend (who has just fresh installed hardy).
That said, they still occasionally need some trouble shooting.
My dad rang me up last week to tell me the computer had run out of space, and when he deleted stuff, it just filled up. after much confusion and searching, i managed to help him find 15 gigs of text logs from a disused piece of hardware complaining about not working, which had filled up over the course of a year!

[zachtib]

Well, here's my latest update:

After about a week, he has yet to reinstall XP, and has gotten his web browsing and instant messaging working under Ubuntu. He's still using his desktop and outlook for email, but I plan to help him move over to evolution on the laptop tomorrow.

[agim]

Glad to hear its going so well. My family uses a lot of free software these days (openoffice.org, opera, pidgin) but haven't made the switch yet.

Always good to hear these stories.

[maniacmusician]

Well, here's my latest update:

After about a week, he has yet to reinstall XP, and has gotten his web browsing and instant messaging working under Ubuntu. He's still using his desktop and outlook for email, but I plan to help him move over to evolution on the laptop tomorrow.
I would opt for Thunderbird instead, simply because it has a wider array of tools, is cross-platform, and has a more flexible interface, allowing him to set up the visual display in whatever manner he's comfortable with. Did I mention cross-platform? :)

[sstusick]

I vote for Thunderbird too. If it wasn't for it, I'd still be signing in at the website to check my email. I'm not too fond of Evolution or Kmail or any of the other email clients I've tried.

[macogw]

If he's used to Outlook, though, Evolution *does* look & feel a *lot* like Outlook.

[LitusMayol]

That's the wa I started, just trying. then using some programs and finally moved on it!

Congratulations man!

[inportb]

That sounds awesome!

My family's still on Windows workstations, but the Ubuntu server I set up has had some positive effect. The KDE I have installed on the server seems to be intuitively usable, and I'm not the one using it. =D

[grossaffe]

I also got ubuntu on my dad's new computer. but i did have to install it along with XP and Vista :(

[DrCoolSanta]

My dad couldn't make a switch to linux because his software, which he needs, comes specifically only for windows. My mother on the contrast, needed linux, just because the best software available in her field is linux only. It's when I was installing it for her that i decided to use it, however I had to keep linux with win xp and vista because the hardware that is readily available in my place is windows only.

[zachtib]

If he's used to Outlook, though, Evolution *does* look & feel a *lot* like Outlook.

Yeah. what macogw said. He's used to Outlook, so I want to use something that will feel familiar for him. Though I'll show him Thunderbird and give him an option.