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What OS for the parents

L

Liver

Senior member
Some facts first.

I see my parents about once every 2 months, just them in the house.
I have always been a PC guy (from the 8086 days).
I built my parents PC from recycled parts on my computers.
All they do with a PC is surf the web, some CD burning and mediocre video. Mediocre video means downloading the pictures / images and watching them on the screen.
I am NOT a computer expert or have any formal education in computer science, more like a hobby for me.

Every time I come home there is something else wrong with the PC (never hardware related). Either the virus protection has been disabled (how? no one fesses up). And there are always new viruses on it. Windows OS never updated, even though I have written down the procedure. Spyware is a constant battle. Trying to do simple things is a chore for them, too many steps.

They are taking a 3 month vacation next week, and I was thinking about replacing their computer.

I tried to use Linux (thread) and that was a disaster.

I have never used a MacIntosh, except at work when a co worker brings in his PowerBook (so very infrequently). He happy with it. His works are, I never know how it works, I just know it does.

What do you guys think? If I decide to go with a Mac, I will definately preview it. If I can get it working somewhat, I think I can help them use it.

If money was taken out of the equation.

Just want to get some opinions.

Liver
 
I couldn't tell by your post, but do you realize that the macOS only runs on proprietary mac hardware?

btw, if you do end up going with linux, once you get the machine set up, it is good to go. I have the same dilemma with my parents, anything from antivirus being disabled to having a machine riddled with spyware. you name it, it happens. I just keep telling myself that one of these days they are going to be on linux.....
 
Thanks, they have WinXP right now. I understand they would need new hardware, and I would gladly buy that for them (after all they have given me, getting a new computer is trivial).

As far as Linux goes, I am their tech support, and if I can not help them then more frustration.

I guess another question would be, is the Mac OS user friendly for total noobs? Is it intuitive?

Liver
 
Doesn't work if you arn't familer with linux enought to set it up....but once you have a rock solid box, they won't NEED your help. Every couple of months you update the box (Debian or something with package management makes this incredibly easy). The other bonus (to me) is the remote help, I can setup SSH, have them connect to the web and I can fix whatever they need.
 
I recommend:

  • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2, Automagic Updates enabled, Windows Firewall enabled
  • 2-year license of Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5, with the updater set for hourly updates, all real-time and on-access options maxed, and the Threats & Exclusions set to Extended Databases
  • Password-protect the Kaspersky antivirus, so it can't be turned off
  • Make a Limited-class user account for each regular user of the computer. Password-protect the original Administrator account (normally not visible) and your own account (the second Admin account). net user Administrator complicatedpasswordhere and same command for your own account. Don't tell anyone the passwords to the Admin-class accounts.
  • If they don't already have a router, consider getting the one described here and lock it down as shown.
This setup works nicely for my mom & dad (and the little sister when she goes over and tries to do stuff with/to it). The Limited-class user accounts are the equivalent of wearing your seatbelt when you drive... no, you cannot climb onto the roof of the car at 60mph anymore, but that's the price of safety 😉

edit: I like WinXP Pro better for the ability to do additional tricksy stuff with gpedit, longer support life at Windows Update, and ability to work with the Security/Permissions without resorting to Safe Mode, but you could do this with WinXP Home too.
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
I recommend:

  • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2, Automagic Updates enabled, Windows Firewall enabled
  • 2-year license of Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5, with the updater set for hourly updates, all real-time and on-access options maxed, and the Threats & Exclusions set to Extended Databases
  • Password-protect the Kaspersky antivirus, so it can't be turned off
  • Make a Limited-class user account for each regular user of the computer. Password-protect the original Administrator account (normally not visible) and your own account (the second Admin account). net user Administrator complicatedpasswordhere and same command for your own account. Don't tell anyone the passwords to the Admin-class accounts.
  • If they don't already have a router, consider getting the one described here and lock it down as shown.
This setup works nicely for my mom & dad (and the little sister when she goes over and tries to do stuff with/to it). The Limited-class user accounts are the equivalent of wearing your seatbelt when you drive... no, you cannot climb onto the roof of the car at 60mph anymore, but that's the price of safety 😉

edit: I like WinXP Pro better for the ability to do additional tricksy stuff with gpedit, longer support life at Windows Update, and ability to work with the Security/Permissions without resorting to Safe Mode, but you could do this with WinXP Home too.
Click to expand...


Nice mech, real nice. Did not know all those options. I will look into that, while they are gone, I can redo the entire box.

Do you mind helping me if I get stuck via private messages on AT? It will be awhile before I begin (yes, I have seen your web page, nice nice nice, but just in case?)

I will continue to look into Linux, but not as an alternative for my folks.

Should be nice for them.

Liver
 
Problem with Windows is that it is very hard, even with service pack 2, to keep a windows box clean. Even if the user is in their own account the admin, you, can wreak havoc if ever touch a dormant contaminated file in their user directory. Spyware is hard to remove and Windows is getting ever so easy to punch holes in despite their *cough* best *cough* efforts.
 
Just give them whatever you use. That way it's easiest for you to set it up so that you'd be most able to help them.

Personally I'd just use Debian. Just a guess, but I bet they won't have to setup WPA on their own.

I know how to set it up so that people can use it without any pains. Setup the browser, installl flash, install java, setup email, and there are nifty picture veiwing prorgams to use.

Click here to get email.
Click here to get on the web.
Right click to save from video the web browser and then double click on the icon made from a frame from the movie to watch. The only trouble is that newer wmv files are protected and won't play video, and the newest quicktime formats have funky support.

But it's much easier for me to do that then try to have them keep all that anti-virus and anti-spyware crap running. Screw that. Who wants to drive all the way to somewere just to fix and update a bunch of software? Any and all configuration changes and updates I can handle just fine thru ssh. Even over dialup.

But Like I said before. Have them use what you use because it would be easiest for you to know what to do when they run into a problem and it would be easiest for you to set it up so that they only have to do the minimal amount of work to get what they want done.
 
Originally posted by: Canterwood
Installing an alternative web browser to IE can help heaps with spyware issues.

Try looking at Firefox or Opera.
Click to expand...

Good point. My mom refused to use anything other than IE because she "likes" IE.
So I told her I would give her a new version of IE.
I downloaded FireFox, ran though the steps here and changed the icons for the links to the IE icon. Then I deleted all the IE shotcuts.
This was about six months ago and to this day she has never caught on.
But she does like the lack of computer instability, spyware, browser helper bars, etc.
🙂
 
I would buy them a Mac Mini. Since you have neither the black belt in Linux nor time to support them frequently I consider it a good alternative. It will cost some money but it looks like you're willing to invest some. With OS X you stay on the GUI side of OSes (if you like) but you still have an advantage security-wise over the status quo, from an average user's viewpoint.

I think one or two weeks are enough for you to get familiar with the way OS X works. The Mac Mini is sufficient for the tasks you mentioned and you won't have problems finding a decent webbrowser and email program. On a side note, though, only Windows Media Player for Mac plays the WMV3 codec yet, as far as I know. And the Microsoft software seldom is the best option in the Mac world so prepare your parents for some minor changes if they use a Windows-Outlook-Internet Explorer constellation now.
 
I'd say a mac would be appropriate if they're not entrenched with windows so that they'd always think it was harder because it was different and if you, as administrator, were mac-knowledgeable. They could still f*ck up a mac but at least you wouldn't have malware problems. With linux they'd have much less chance of messing it up themselves and, of course, no malware. But drag's advice is best: you've got to be able to clean up after them so use something you know.
 
I think a Mac would probably be easier, but as Mech points out it is possible to get more control over the environment. Not that it has worked for my 11 year-old daughter, who can type shell commands faster than I can, the little pain in the ...

Anyway, would also point out that lowering the admin privs on their accounts can cause issues. It's possible some software will not run, so you should test the apps they use most. I think you'll be ok. They may also not be able to install some software, and this may be a good thing.
 
Follow Mech's suggestions, particularly the limited account. Also use an alternative browser and set it as the default for webpages
 
Originally posted by: Liver
Originally posted by: mechBgon
I recommend:

  • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2, Automagic Updates enabled, Windows Firewall enabled
  • 2-year license of Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5, with the updater set for hourly updates, all real-time and on-access options maxed, and the Threats & Exclusions set to Extended Databases
  • Password-protect the Kaspersky antivirus, so it can't be turned off
  • Make a Limited-class user account for each regular user of the computer. Password-protect the original Administrator account (normally not visible) and your own account (the second Admin account). net user Administrator complicatedpasswordhere and same command for your own account. Don't tell anyone the passwords to the Admin-class accounts.
  • If they don't already have a router, consider getting the one described here and lock it down as shown.
This setup works nicely for my mom & dad (and the little sister when she goes over and tries to do stuff with/to it). The Limited-class user accounts are the equivalent of wearing your seatbelt when you drive... no, you cannot climb onto the roof of the car at 60mph anymore, but that's the price of safety 😉

edit: I like WinXP Pro better for the ability to do additional tricksy stuff with gpedit, longer support life at Windows Update, and ability to work with the Security/Permissions without resorting to Safe Mode, but you could do this with WinXP Home too.
Click to expand...


Nice mech, real nice. Did not know all those options. I will look into that, while they are gone, I can redo the entire box.

Do you mind helping me if I get stuck via private messages on AT? It will be awhile before I begin (yes, I have seen your web page, nice nice nice, but just in case?)

I will continue to look into Linux, but not as an alternative for my folks.

Should be nice for them.

Liver
Click to expand...
I would be happy to help via private message as much as needed, just holler 🙂

 
Originally posted by: hooflung
Problem with Windows is that it is very hard, even with service pack 2, to keep a windows box clean. Even if the user is in their own account the admin, you, can wreak havoc if ever touch a dormant contaminated file in their user directory. Spyware is hard to remove and Windows is getting ever so easy to punch holes in despite their *cough* best *cough* efforts.
Click to expand...


I am no windows fanboy, so take this with a grain of salt.

I disagree. I have a winXP box that I've had up forever. I don't run the firewall, I have no AV (I do monthly scans online). My wife refuses to use firefox, and want's her big blue E.

I DO have a linux box that is a firewall (real firewall, not just NAT)
I DO force my wife to use safe browsing habits
I DO run antispyware (but in the last year, we have had 2 minor (less then 4 items) outbreaks)
I checked the account she is using, and forgot that I made it an admin for something a long time ago, so she has been running as admin for at least the last 6 months. I taught her a few basics, and the box stays clean and stable.
 
Option 1: Win XP - high maintenance but straightforward with lots of help available quickly, hardware inexpensive
Option 2: Linux - easy to setup, and fine for email web browsing, word processing - but limited on the extras: games, wireless, usb devices
Tech support poor, av/spyware protection unknown or non-existent, hardware inexpensive
Option 3: Mac - easy to use, good software for various home use already included or easily available, tech support very good, problems
with av/spyware less frequent or none, hardware expensive

Take your pick


 
Originally posted by: Slowlearner
Option 1: Win XP - high maintenance but straightforward with lots of help available quickly, hardware inexpensive
Option 2: Linux - easy to setup, and fine for email web browsing, word processing - but limited on the extras: games, wireless, usb devices
Tech support poor, av/spyware protection unknown or non-existent, hardware inexpensive
Option 3: Mac - easy to use, good software for various home use already included or easily available, tech support very good, problems
with av/spyware less frequent or none, hardware expensive

Take your pick
Click to expand...


Can I choose a couple from each catagory? It is clear that the current method has failed. SO the decision I need to make is what proposal I will try to present to them.

Lock down current hardware. May make things more difficult to run later.

Try new OS that either one of use is hesistant to use.

Or try Apple hardware and get a simple hardware for dummys book.

The choices are nice to look at, must make a decision
 
Follow mechBgon's instructions....very nice!

I have some similar issues, and always setup remote software on the system. Look at PCAnywhere, GoToMyPC, or UltraVNC.
I do not like the remote assistance in XP, the others can allow you to do much more, without input from the remotes.

Being able to work on the software without having to try to talk them thru it on the phone is nice. Even if you just watch what they are doing so you can better understand what the actual problem is.

Good Luck!
Ron
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
I recommend:

  • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2, Automagic Updates enabled, Windows Firewall enabled
  • 2-year license of Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5, with the updater set for hourly updates, all real-time and on-access options maxed, and the Threats & Exclusions set to Extended Databases
  • Password-protect the Kaspersky antivirus, so it can't be turned off
  • Make a Limited-class user account for each regular user of the computer. Password-protect the original Administrator account (normally not visible) and your own account (the second Admin account). net user Administrator complicatedpasswordhere and same command for your own account. Don't tell anyone the passwords to the Admin-class accounts.
  • If they don't already have a router, consider getting the one described here and lock it down as shown.
This setup works nicely for my mom & dad (and the little sister when she goes over and tries to do stuff with/to it). The Limited-class user accounts are the equivalent of wearing your seatbelt when you drive... no, you cannot climb onto the roof of the car at 60mph anymore, but that's the price of safety 😉

edit: I like WinXP Pro better for the ability to do additional tricksy stuff with gpedit, longer support life at Windows Update, and ability to work with the Security/Permissions without resorting to Safe Mode, but you could do this with WinXP Home too.
Click to expand...

Good advice indeed!
:thumbsup:
 
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