In Laws Laptop

[brandonr23]

SO their laptop was infested beyond repair with viruses. I installed Ubuntu Linux with all the regular stuff that is included. They mostly just surf the net and some minor wordprocessing(openoffice). So do you guys have any suggestions as far as programs I should install outside of the main stuff that is already there? I'm not real experienced in Linux, but Ubunto seems very user friendly.

BTW, its AMD athlon 1000, 256 ram, 20 gig HD. Anybody with ideas to get this thing working comfortably for the 'rents, please help.

TIA

 

[mechBgon]

You might get better answers over in the Software or Operating Systems forums I can't help with the Ubuntu thing, but if you need help getting Windows set up and secured properly on it at some point, drop me a PM.

 

[regnez]

GO GO EASY UBUNTU

That'll get you hooked up with a lot of the codecs and stuff you need.

Also, there is another program that does the same thing, with different codecs, but I cannot remember what it is called right now.

 

[Blain]

FORUMS > GENERAL HARDWARE >

BTW, Never install a non-Windows OS on a machine used by non-tech types. :laugh:
>> Ignore this warning at your own peril <<

 

[UMfanatic]

yeah Linux is not something one should normally give non techys

 

[regnez]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic
yeah Linux is not something one should normally give non techys

I agree with that in some cases, but not necessarily all. As long as you make sure that you have set everything up well in Linux, and that they are going to be able to watch movies, view all the web pages they normally view, use O efficiently, and do whatever other basic things need to be done with a computer, Linux can be a good thing for a non-techy.

Although I will admit that they are probably not going to be open to the change or willing to even try it at first. Almost all non-techy people are extremely Windows faithful, and very closed to the idea of change.

By the way, automatix was the other program I could not think of. Be sure that you use it, as it is even better than easyubuntu and will really get you going in the right direction with Linux.

Good luck!

 

[Jibboom]

I can't see a problem if they are only going to be using web browsing and word processing and are unlikely to try and install additional software on it. Just make sure you install some codecs so that it'll work if they try and play a DVD or something on it.