Mandriva Club - chas2002 - MandrivaForYourElderlyParents

It's called "Moving a Beginner to Linux" The author moves his parents to Mandriva powerpack 10.1, after their computer chokes on windows.

I found it interesting because I would like to do the same for my parents. Has anyone else done this? I would love to hear about it. :)

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dysfirkin 16/12/2005 03:19:22

If all your parents need is a web and email client then linux is perfect. The problem comes when they need a little more functionality. My dad needs quickbooks and my more does the occasssional powerpoint presentation for her teaching job. The problem is I can no longer get updates for the pirated version of Windows XP they are using so they and the millions of other windows users with pirated kit are now open to a bunch of security vulnerabilities .

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- chas2002 17/12/2005 21:10:21
  
  Don't most of the security vulnerabilities with XP come through the internet? I figure if I can get my parents using linux for the internet and email, that might solve most (if not all) their security problems. They could still use windows for games and things, but they don't swap files much or use disks. If they don't go on-line with windows, I figure they would be pretty safe.
  
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chas2002 17/12/2005 21:24:46

I think there was another comment on this thread... and I think I accidentally deleted it! Arrgg! To the person who posted it, I'm sorry, I'm still figuring out this software, I got interupted while in an edit mode, then clicked on a wrong button... your post looked interesting... please post it again!

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- chas2002 17/12/2005 21:38:55
  
  Wait... now I'm REALLY confused. I find the missing post... in an "edit object" window for this blog. I'm not sure I did anything, or if it's just a glitch with the blog software, but anyway, here is the post: Hi folks, I happen to be one of those elderly parents who made the switch to Linux-Mandriva. For a basic user, it would be ideal. It made me want to learn more about Linux. I'll be 69 in Feb, and found the system quite challenging. I learn something new every day. It's a great way to exercise your brain. A word of warning though. It can be a little frustrating. sam_b 11/12/2005 22:54:40 Thanks for the comment, Sam B. My dad is over 70, not very experience with computers but he does ok. My mom is younger, but she is rather intimidated by the computer, but slowly she is getting it. I think Linux might be easier for them in some ways, but I don't live in the same state, and if they have problems, getting someone to help them could be a real problem, too. So I'm hoping to find a really easy, stable linux. I'm investigating Mandriva Discovery/LX right now.
  
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  - imr 26/12/2005 23:12:29
    
    My parents dont know anything about computers. Yet they have been using kde on mandriva for 3 years. I take care of the complete administration of their machine. They only have to worry one thing at a time, first the keyboard (that was their first difficulty), than kmail, than konqueror, my father is now using xsane to scan. They only know to do the tasks they absolutly need, nothing else, and they are delighted because they havent had one worry or one virus in 3 years. The pride factor is very rewarding for me also, when every of their friend is getting expelled of the internet because of virii one after the other for 3 weeks at least.
    
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jean-pierre_bov_253 16/01/2006 12:26:56

I installed Mandriva 10.1 and further 2006 on the desktop of my father in law (in the deep south of France: almost no one heard about Linux over there ;-). I selected Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox. I started installing a dual boot to avoid big frustrations or scares. As of today he is using the Linux system only, included listening radio and watching at DVD with Kaffeine and, of course, he got rid of all viruses that were regularly damaging his machine with Windows (by the way: good savings, no longer reconducting contracts with Norton anti virus and others ). At the end it is not overstated to call it a very positive experience.

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- chas2002 18/01/2006 23:24:07
  
  I'm glad to hear it worked out so well. That is exactly the sort of outcome I was hoping people would get by chosing Mandriva for such an undertaking. Thank you for posting about it here, it is inspiring for those of us who want to attempt to do the same thing.
  
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Mandriva for Elderly Parents....