Grandma and Open-Sourcing

Is teaching an old dog a new OS the best way to promote open source?

By Gregory Mone Posted 02.08.2008 at 4:23 pm 4 Comments

Linux Logo: Linux

There's an interesting essay on CNET about the trend of more and more people migrating to Linux, and why they've basically got the wrong idea. The piece is a response to an article on Linux.com, in which the author describes how he "cobbled together a computer" for his Mom out of cast-offs, then switched her over from Windows to Ubuntu Linux.

CNET's Matt Asay, who declares himself to be an open-source believer, says this misses the point. Don't switch Grandma's operating system. Keep the comfortable standard, and move her over to open-source programs instead. This, he says, is the way to push the open-source movement.

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4 Comments

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panamahank

02/11/08 at 7:44 pm

His mom probably won't even know she's using Linux. Once the icons are on the screen and she knows which one to click to do what she wants to do, it doesn't make a lot of difference what OS is powering the browser or email client. At least with Linux most of the annoyances built into Windows aren't there, and email virus infections will be a thing of the past. I've found that my support problems are a LOT less with Linux users than with Windows users.

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alphabravo964

02/12/08 at 12:56 am

I think that one of the main reasons that Linux has less users, is that Microsoft has dominated the market. Mac and Pc both are big in computer names. Plus, I know many people who a) don't know what Linux is or b) that they do not think that you can switch your opperating system. And, sadly enough, it does not support video games. =(

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srinidhiv123

02/12/08 at 7:31 pm

As a frequent user of Ubuntu linux, it certainly has made strides that distinguish it both from other Linux-based operating systems and Windows systems alike. Over the past few years, it's also made many improvements to how it works too. With the easier to use GUI, as well as more customizeable features, it turns linux computing, which used to be reserved for the average "basement hacker or hardcore scientist" into the future operating system for computers around the world.

There are many Linux games out there, it's just that they're hard to find. Urban Terror= CS:S alternative. There are LOADS of others too.

-Srinidhi

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Reckon

02/13/08 at 7:36 pm

Linux really isn't an operating system, really. It is actually a kernal, you may have heard of Linux known as, "GNU/Linux. Using WinE, linux has been more sturdy.