Linux for Mother-in-law

[MASONTX]

What linux would be best for my 80 year old mother in law? She uses an old 350 mhz Pentium computer just for a word processor, but has been thinking about getting a newer computer and getting on the internet.

Teaching her how to use a mouse and double click was a challenge when I first set the computer up for her 8 years ago, so a dead simple linux distro that is as much like the W98 she uses now would be a plus.

I use Ubuntu 10.04, Puppy 5.0, and PCLinux on the computers at the house, but dont know which distro would be easiest to teach a newbie who is green to linux and not much better in windows.

[theNbomr]

Use whatever you use. When things go south, it's you who will have to fix it, so you might as well use what you're familiar with. Also, when you are on the phone explaining where to click and what to expect to see, you can play along on your own system while coaching.
--- rod.

[MASONTX]

I am most familiar with Ubuntu, but think that since it is organized different from windows, my mother in law would be more confused by it. I've only recently started using Puppy and PCLinux, so am not sure which would be easiest for her to adjust to. Gut level reaction is that Puppy might be a shade more user friendly for a non-computer person.

[TaZMAniac]

Might want to take a look at this theme for Gnome;
XpGnome - Make Linux Look like Windows XP | Phrank's Ubuntu Blog

Put my better half on Ubuntu because of all the Windows problems she was having.
Decided to put this theme on her PC as she would be lost if it didn't look like XP. LOL!!

To date there have been no problems using this theme and the computer is loving Ubuntu.

Good luck!

[MASONTX]

Thanks for the xp theme link. I'll try it out and see if it would be easier for her to learn.

[daacosta]

Might want to take a look at this theme for Gnome;
XpGnome - Make Linux Look like Windows XP | Phrank's Ubuntu Blog

Put my better half on Ubuntu because of all the Windows problems she was having.
Decided to put this theme on her PC as she would be lost if it didn't look like XP. LOL!!

To date there have been no problems using this theme and the computer is loving Ubuntu.

Good luck!

That was just nasty! :P Is there anything similar for Fedora 12?

[rokytnji]

That was just nasty! :P Is there anything similar for Fedora 12?

Comment from a Fedora 12 user who installed in their Gnome Desktop. (won't work for KDE or XFCE)

Thanks! works great on my Fedora 12 box (exact version:2.6.31.9-174.fc12.i686). Uninstalls without a problem also.

[D-cat]

I wouldn't expect a gdm theme to work in kde, xfce, or any basic window manager. It's for Gnome!

I would be afraid that it could confuse someone who tried to install an exe program though :P
EEEEEEEEEEEEEVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLL! ☞

Seriously, pretty cool. I might try that some time. Thanks.

[markious]

Rather then ruin the look of Gnome try Linux Mint. It's pretty close to the style of Windoze but looks a lot nicer.

[coopstah13]

given the specs of the machine, i doubt any of the mentioned distros will run except for puppy.

The limiting factor will be the memory, so how much does the machine have? It should have 128m to be reasonably usable.