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Thread ID: 135989	2014-01-07 02:22:00	Linux Mint a good alternative for "oldies" ??	Misty (368)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1364519	2014-01-10 03:03:00	Just thought I'd add my :2cents: about the viability of Linux for the casual user. First distro I tried was openSUSE 12.2, running Gnome 3. Back before I had a good grasp of either installing Linux distros, or even knowing about the different desktops. Set it up dual booting onto a laptop with Windows 7. Took me a while to learn enough to get the install running, and a fair bit of advice from Pressf1 people, but I got it on. Note that was my first OS install of any type. Eventually moved to Ubuntu, read a bit more, and got my graphics card up and running. When I gave SolydXK a go, took me about an hour to get the printer working. All up, it'd take me about 2-3 hours to get any (debian based) distro configured how I want it, with the programs I want on it, working with the accessories I want it to. Now, compare that to when I installed Windows onto that same laptop. Took me a fair while to install, and quite a bit longer to get all the drivers installed. Things like the function keys needed drivers, whereas they did 'just work' with Ubuntu. Then, for the programs, I had to download and run all the .exe files individually, as opposed to writing up 4 terminal commands, to get all drivers and programs installed. All up, Ubuntu was quicker and easier to install. Unity does have its quirks, but no more so than any Windows version. Most people I've seen try Ubuntu get to grips with in in around 10 minutes, provided someone's there to give them a gentle nudge in the right direction now and then. I'd say, if someone sets it up (this includes installing programs), Ubuntu is a viable option for most people.	Nick G (16709)
1364520	2014-01-10 03:48:00	If you install Ubuntu it is more straight forward than Windows re: drivers. But the avg user prob find it a slight challenge b/c it's not something they have done before (even Windows). Once it has been prepared for them, I think "most" can use Ubuntu, so much easier than Red Hat or Fedora. Install Ubuntu and the accessories are already installed. I think it would drive some people b/c the menu bars are different. At a workplace there was a older worker who complained why an optical mouse at times would change location. But re: old people who are learning to use the computer. I think an iPad would just be easier. They probably only need a few apps anyway. Browser, email, Skype, Gallery. Maybe laptop but PCs are old style for them, I gather many may want to use it at the dining table or while watching television or at the backyard having a cuppa tea.	Nomad (952)
1364521	2014-01-10 20:59:00	Basically it's trying to install an older version of Samba that's been updated, and so it can't find the older "package" because it no longer exists on the server. sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install samba Alternatively, just use the package manager GUI and it'll do that for you :) Thanks that fixed it, Actually loaded up x86 ( first) & X64 on another PC The x86 installed samba right off the bat first time, the x64 needed the update first. The error message the way it was reported is wrong in my opinion, it said no internet connection when in fact there was, maybe they need to get things like that sorted, with something like update needed, mind you all OS's have weird messages sometimes :)	wainuitech (129)
1364522	2014-01-10 21:25:00	The error message the way it was reported is wrong in my opinion, it said no internet connection when in fact there was, maybe they need to get things like that sorted, with something like update needed, mind you all OS's have weird messages sometimes :) Well no. It gives a 404 (file not found) error, same as your browser if you point it at a non-existing file on a working webserver (which is exactly what is happening).	fred_fish (15241)
1364523	2014-01-10 22:04:00	Dunno what freaky kernel you were using, but IDE support is still very much present... Maybe he was getting confused with a SCSI interface - the cable often looks very similar.	Agent_24 (57)
1364524	2014-01-11 07:14:00	You're onto a losing path with this, based on my experience with seniors. They'll be very slow to happily migrate from whatever has been familiar to them, and that familiar interface will be some version of Windows. Additionally, there's the problem of their kids giving them their old Win computers to use whenever the kids upgrade their own system, so again, the folk you're dealing with will have Windows in front of them, and will want to be competent with it. Then you'll have the helpful know-it-all friends/neighbours/relatives who tell them to install XYZ as their mail client, and they won't find and XYZ installer for Linux. And lastly, whenever they are faced with replacing their hardware, they're going to go somewhere like Harvey Norman and buy a box with Win pre-installed on it, so again, they're gonna be happier if they're familiar with Windows. What we really need is for their kids to be on Nix boxes, then the migration to Linux would have far fewer bumps on the road.	Paul.Cov (425)
1364525	2014-01-11 07:48:00	Well no. It gives a 404 (file not found) error, same as your browser if you point it at a non-existing file on a working webserver (which is exactly what is happening). Thats fair enough comment, but look at the wording "Check your internet connection" -- Now if it were a web page and a person got a 404 error, the first thing I would do is make sure the internet was working, which in this case it was. It can also mean the server is not connecting to the request, or the file requested is missing. Internet basics 101 -- Web browser requests information or file, server responds and delivers requested file or information. Doesn't matter how fancy the developers make browsers the basics are the same. The way the message describes the file is not there, nothing is mentioned about an update needed. Many people dont have a clue how the internet actually works ( or sometimes Doesn't) :D we got shown a comical video Warriors of the Net (www.youtube.com) years ago, Its aimed more at business setups, but home users are basically the same and its basics still stands today -- Its quite entertaining :)	wainuitech (129)
1364526	2014-01-11 09:06:00	The way the message describes the file is not there, nothing is mentioned about an update needed. That's because for all it knows, the package list was up to date. I don't think there is any mechanism for determining if the list is outdated other than checking for a newer one, which you didn't tell it to do. All that it was told to do was to fetch a package, the version of which was no longer on the server, and it gave an error to that effect.	Agent_24 (57)
1364527	2014-01-11 10:04:00	I've had a few issues with mint myself, i believe cinammon refused to work at all on my old desktop, but one of the others did ok. Still have generic linux gripes, but that's just the unfamiliarity i suppose. It would be nice if they had better documentation on functions and features, but then it wouldn't be linux either. As others have suggested, any version of linux that you pick will be different to windows, but ubuntu or mint are likely the best ways to go. The thing is, many people have difficulty changing from windows xp to any other os, simply because beyond xp many of the core features since 95 changed in varying degrees, and in 8 and 8.1 they've changed so even windows 7 users can't manage. So again as others have said even though there'll be a learning curve with linux, at least with linux you will be fairly sure that the taskbar won't ever go away, and the core functions and features will be pretty solid too.	8ftmetalhaed (14526)
1364528	2014-01-11 11:29:00	another vote for chromeOS Android is extremely common for sure but it is not "mainstream Linux"!! if android doesn't meet your definition of mainstream and/or linux; what does?	Mirddes (10)
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