It's not like they have to delete MS Windows off of their hard drive. Let them know that they can try out GNU/Linux from a CD/DVD-ROM, and they just need to set up the computer to boot from CD/DVD-ROM. If they like what they see, they can do virtualization. Let them know that they have nothing to be afraid of. For a lot of people, touching the hard drive is a scary proposition. Tell people to get a testing computer. The price is right for the software. regards, Daniel <a href="http://www.youcanlinux.org/">http://www.youcanlinux.org/</a> <div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 10:07 AM, Duffields <<a href="mailto:dhltd@telus.net">dhltd@telus.net</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">I have been offering free installation (and support) of Ubuntu to friends for several years. Though several have availed themselves of the offer, others are concerned about "What happens if you are not around to help me when I have a problem? I can get help for MS Windows everywhere." I really do not have an answer for them because, if they have a serious problem, the forums are not available to them and most new, non-technically minded users will not avail themselves of forums anyway. Since I rarely encounter people here on Vancouver Island that have even heard of Ubuntu, let alone Linux, I am wondering if there are any Ubuntu users located in Greater Victoria who would be interested in forming a local Ubuntu Users Support Group. Better availability of "hands-on" assistance is, I think, one of the keys to more widespread acceptance of Ubuntu in the community. Perhaps small clusters of helping hands would be a good start. Or am I too idealistic when I expect "average" people to embrace Linux through Ubuntu? Mac -- ubuntu-ca mailing list <a href="mailto:ubuntu-ca@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-ca@lists.ubuntu.com</a> <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca" target="_blank">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca</a> </blockquote></div>