Getting Parents To Use Linux...

[george_11]

Hi guys
I'm really getting tired of this... I've tried many times before to get my parents to use Linux but they just won't listen to me... I know it works great on our computer, I've been secretly running it for the last year and a half... hey, all you have to do is set the boot selector time to something like one second, nobody notices there's another operating system installed! Anyway, I've tried to get my parents to use it, but my mom is like scared of it or something... she thinks it's some sort of spyware... she's been hearing about teenagers downloading weird stuff and somehow she thinks that applies to Linux... and she says it's too hard to use... and the worst part is she thinks that I'm too young so there's no way I could install something so technical, whenever I do anything like install a new program she says "you're not an engineer, don't try to mess up the computer". She thinks I'm stupid or something... and I'm so frustrated with Windows, it's just slow and my parents just use it not even knowing anything is better... and then we have to use MSN too, my mom signed up for it because she liked the STUPID BUTTERFLY COMMERCIALS, it uses this stupid proprietary browser, it's really bloated too, and INSECURE... then they won't get DSL because they are worried that hackers will get in, I told them a firewall would have it fine but then they said I don't know enough to set a firewall up... and they use the MSN explorer everyday, which is based on IE, which I think is probably MORE insecure than Firefox on DSL with no firewall... anyway sorry if I'm ranting too much but does anybody have any advice on how to get my parents to use Linux, like any documents I can show them? I'm sure there are some documents somewhere...

[cayalee]

mate, move out! you're not gonna win against technophobes. sounds like theyre that scared of computers they cant get their head around windows, let alone an alternative *good god, theres something else other than windows??!?!?* is a regular reply :~D
just let them know that its cant possibly hurt the pc, its a simple alternative to windows and they dont have to use it at all.
just install linux and set up grub/lilo so that windows is its default option so they dont even have to worry about choosing an OS at boot time and both use what your comfy with.
that way, everyone is happy!

[beachboy]

Good Luck they are set in there ways.

[Roxoff]

Get your own PC! (and your own DSL line if needed). Turn down or off their security options in Windows, let them get hacked/infected with spyware/overrun by viruses - and when they come running to you for help, tell them point blank that you cant fix it... you're not an engineer.

Or you could just drop the odd hint that Linux comes as-standard with industrial grade security, firewalling and spyware resilience. And that, in Windows, you generally have to pay for extras such as that.

Or the biggie. The real real biggie to convince them. Tell them that you need Unix to complete your computer course. That you have NO CHOICE. They have to have Linux, or you cant complete your course. With KDE set up right, they'll not be able to tell if they're in Windows or Linux. With one exception - if they're using Linux, you can set their modem to dial-on-demand to the internet...

[fingal]

You could persuade your mom to read this: http://www.zen26041.zen.co.uk/linux_overview.htm

It's very direct and lays out the case for using Linux quite well.

[carlosponti]

i see this subject as one thing. dont worry about converting anyone to any other OS. if they come to you and want to start using linux then fine but really windows if properly patched can be secure. just because you hate windows doesnt mean they have to. i will never get my wife to completely convert to linux even with her notebook being on it. just do them the favor of having your linux machine on the PC when you want to use it and windows on when they want to use it. and also do them the favor of keeping up with security updates for both OS's. also if you want them to let you do more express your desire to pursue a field in computers and that you are delving into keeping this PC in question secure by keeping up with the security updates for them that they will be more willing to let you do more. now that doesnt mean they will convert to linux but it does mean they will be more understanding of your choice to use linux. you might also just find a way to buy a retail copy of linux to at first show them that its just another product they may understand that.

[cheetahman]

Did you tell them that Linux is Free

[Tommaso]

That's odd that your parents thing such a thing. Most people thing that linux is a complicated operating system, that is only used by geeks with glasses. Actually, many of my friends didn't even know that linux had a GUI, they though that linux was soley text based (that would get pretty boring, pretty fast).

You should encourage your parents to do some research and see for themselves. Or you could buy a cheap computer, install linux on it, and prove to them that it is secure and worthwhile. And if you do screw anything up, then it is not such a big deal, cux its not the families computer.

[TomX]

Heh, I read DSL as Damn Small Linux throughout the post

Anyway, if you're really keen on getting them to use Linux:
- Plant a virus on Windows
- Make the computer slow

Hopefully this will make them want to try alternatives (for extreme measures, delete their work, though I don't recommend you do his :P) such as Linux.

Don't start them off with CLI either :P Ease them in with an "easy" distribution and show them how all their work and movies are compatible.

[Weedman]

Get your own PC! (and your own DSL line if needed). Turn down or off their security options in Windows, let them get hacked/infected with spyware/overrun by viruses - and when they come running to you for help, tell them point blank that you cant fix it... you're not an engineer.

Or you could just drop the odd hint that Linux comes as-standard with industrial grade security, firewalling and spyware resilience. And that, in Windows, you generally have to pay for extras such as that.

Or the biggie. The real real biggie to convince them. Tell them that you need Unix to complete your computer course. That you have NO CHOICE. They have to have Linux, or you cant complete your course. With KDE set up right, they'll not be able to tell if they're in Windows or Linux. With one exception - if they're using Linux, you can set their modem to dial-on-demand to the internet...

now those are good ideas.

and funny too

my parents are basically the same but not as strict. They dont care about the system as long as it works (hardware wise) and windows works.

i leave grub on a 5 second timeout with windows as the default OS with options for linux ready at the waiting. They dont care. As Long as it works they say.

if you are sick of using windows, try this:
- buy a second hdd
- install linux on it
- and set up the bootloader to boot windows by default with probably a 5 second timeout.

a drastic measure:

if the windows drive is ntfs, get the systemrescuecd off the net and load up captiventfs. Delete the windows folder and (somehow) blank the mbr. this will be the first and last time i reccommend captiventfs.

my 2 cents
weed