• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Easiest Operating System to learn

F

FerraraZ

Senior member
I'm building my computer illiterate father a computer on monday. I'm giving him internet and basic email functionality.

First let me tell you how computer illiterate my dad is. One time he was on my laptop and there was a mouse and a wii remote next to each other. He grabbed the Wii remote and asked me why nothing was happening on the laptop.

Having said that I'm building him a convienent SFF PC, basic parts I think I spent like 200 on everything all together.

I was going to use the Google OS, its called GoS
www.thinkgos.com

It seems simple enough to teach him how to use. Basically all I want is to be able to have 3 icons on the desktop for the poor guy. Internet, email and documents, thats it.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. I have never used Linux before so this is why I'm asking if its the best solution here. I know there are tons of them out there and I'm wondering if I'd run into any update or future problems with just using email and internet.
 
OpenSuse 10.3 is very easy to setup and use for a simple internet PC.

There's PCLinuxOS as well, which seems simple enough.
 
Those OS's are similar to windows, which to me is fine but my dad has struggled in the past at grasping the concept of windows gui.
 
You'll likely have to coach him a bit no matter what and since you'll be the one he calls when there's trouble you should pick something that you know you can fix. On the other hand Linux is great for this sort of thing because it'll be very hard for him to break anything but his own account and you can easily ssh in and fix anything, but since you'll be learning as you go you'll both need some patience.
 
the only thing i can think of that easier than XP is the OS on the OLPC.... i'm sure there some Linux distributions made especially for tech-challenged users.

isnt it easier just to install XP and configure it with a Restricted account? then you can change the permissions of the folders/icons/shortcuts your dad could possibly mess with... you can leave only the shortcuts he'll need on the Start menu and Desktop. actually, i think you can disable the whole Start menu on XP Pro and MCE.

however, no simplification is enough....he'll have to learn a little, anyway. like Nothinman said, you should stick to an OS you are familiar with.
 
the only thing i can think of that easier than XP is the OS on the OLPC
Click to expand...

Easy is relative, not everyone sees things the same so something that makes perfect sense to one person seems completely backwards to another. The Linux-based OS on the OLPC may really be simpler to learn and use but that's mostly because of the limited functionality. You can do less with it so there's less to learn. If you're going to use a full-blown OS like Windows or Linux then you've got about the same amount to learn.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top