[PLUG] Linux for non-computer person

[Tomas Kuchta]

I have been pretty successful with helping non tech people running Linux,
mainly women, after learning from some mistakes.

Here are a few comment:
  * Working with women is easier - they are in the end more practical, more
flexible and way less egoistic than men. IMHO. So your chances are better
here.
  * Go for vanilla mainstream LTS distro such as Ubuntu or maybe openSuse.
  * Enable automatic updates. Non tech people do not like maintenance,
frictions and tech support unless they feel they need to setup something
new.
  * I cannot recommend Fedora - it is great and functional, but it requires
frequent yearly distro updates. This is too much for most people. Unless
they show interest it messing with computers - not your case
  * Ubuntu LTS in default is great for non tech person, it doesn't change
visually, it auto-detects printers, scanners, media, ... Maybe not the best
choice for tech person with diverse interest, but that is not the point
here.
  * Enable remote access via dynDNS/tailscale + ssh + RDP (VNC is still
problematic on Wayland) so that you can help effectively.
  * If there is distance - like in this case - setup identical system for
yourself, so that you can develop and verify solutions without remote debug
and diagnosis. Do it like NASA - have local a copy on the ground.
  * I am not fan of mint/mate/derivative - similarity to some ancient
system is not that important to non-techie woman - lack of friction it the
most important. They will learn where to click on an icon.
  * Setup automated, frequent, incremental data backup. I recommend
NextCloud, Borg or symple rsync to some cloudy VM instance. NextCloud has
great client for Android/iOS and you can sync data across devices. No need
to backup vanilla OS.

Best luck, Tomas

On Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 09:05 Chuck Hast <wchast at gmail.com> wrote:

> Good day folks and happy new year...
> I am about to install linux on a computer for my wife. It will be a
> Framework 13. Now the fun part.
> My wife has been a real luddite, but he smartphone has slowly showed her
> that she needs to have
> a real computer for daily work. She wanted something small and light I
> showed her the Framework 13 I have, she wants one.
>
> So my question is what distro should I put on this thing that will be easy
> for a very non-computer person to use.
>
> I am not with her all the time. She is in Costa Rica as executor of her
> father's estate, I go down
> there when I can to help, and we are also starting a new business which
> entails export from
> Costa Rica to USA. So she does need a computer (I have been telling her
> that now for many
> years).
>
> So what distro would be best for her to start out with?
>
> --
>
> Chuck Hast  -- KP4DJT --
> I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
> Ph 4:13 KJV
> Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.
> Fil 4:13 RVR1960
>