What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

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James_Smith
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What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by James_Smith »

I'm no computer genius, but I like to tinker with my computer, so I don't mind opening up terminal once in awhile and punching in a command, but I'm sure there's got to be a distro that's basically set it and forget it, right?

I'm thinking for my wife. She uses computers to watch funny videos, do Facebook, watch movies/tv once in awhile on Amazon or Netflix, look at pictures of cute little kittens and puppies, share recipes, etc. Is there a distro that you know of that would work for her?

I was thinking of Mint for her, but I can see it now: every five minutes, she would ask me to help her out of a jam. I'm willing to do it, of course, but it'd be easier if there was a simpler distro for people like her.

Thanks
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I have been using Linux for years and I am still a newbie
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Pjotr
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Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by Pjotr »

Well, they don't come much easier than Mint.... Or buy a Chromebook.
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all41
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Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by all41 »

What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?
I'm thinking for my wife.
I should tell on you :shock:
Otherwise--just as Pjotr said
Everything in life was difficult before it became easy.
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Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by Eggnog »

You could give ElementaryOS a look. I've not used it but a friend of mine stuck it on his girlfriend's (she just has basic computer skills) laptop and she just loves it. I might throw it in a Vbox and take it for a spin myself just to check it out.
killer de bug

Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by killer de bug »

Eggnog wrote:You could give ElementaryOS a look.
Good idea. It's shiny. But don't apply the updates after the installation... Personal piece of advise. :wink:
Mint is the best solution in my opinion. Everything is easy.

If it's too complicated, you can try Sugar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_%28software%29 http://www.sugarlabs.org/index.php?temp ... ge=gallery :lol:
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Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by excollier »

Mint would come to mind first (Cinnamon) Chalet OS would also be a good one that wouldn't scare ex-Windows users too much.
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Maik

Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by Maik »

Mint jam? Sounds delicious but never tried it, nor every single Linux distro. I've tried a few distros, found Mint to be sufficiently painless. I'd think every distro/OS will offer updates, one way or another, so I can't see that any are totally set-it-and-forget-it. Mint LTS doesn't require a lot of user attention in that respect. Other than that, I'd think the 'problems' will be with whatever programs are run / sites visited and that would apply whatever distro/OS. A vote for Mint.
Paladin2019

Re: What is a good Linux distro for the computer illiterate?

Post by Paladin2019 »

My Gran has moved from Vista to Mint XFCE and is very happy with it. I also set up unattended-upgrades for her so hopefully it should maintain itself without user intervention.

You could just not tell her the root password, that way she would have less of an opportunity to get into a jam.
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