[ubuntu-uk] Why some people will never switch

[Kris Marsh]

On Dec 21, 2007 10:34 AM, Mark Allison <home at markallison.co.uk> wrote:
> Hi there
>
> My Dad bought a new PC last week, and me being the family geek, was asked to
> set it up for him. He has been using XP for the last five years or so and is
> reasonably happy with it, when it works.
>
> When I arrived to configure his new machine and move all his email,
> documents over it turned out that he had Windows Vista Home Premium
> installed. He was complaining a lot about it because he couldn't find things
> where he was used to looking for them, his scanner didn't work, and some
> less popular applications that he uses won't install on Vista either. So, I
> wiped the machine and at that point was tempted to offer Ubuntu to him, but
> at the same time I realised that the best OS for him was Windows XP. If he
> was getting lost in Windows Vista, what hope was there for him if he moved
> to Vista or a nice new iMac? So, I installed XP Pro and he is now very happy
> - the machine is a lot snappier as well.
>
> I know that he could spend some time learning a new OS, but a man in his 60s
> that uses the computer occasionally for the odd document, email and web
> browsing just doesn't want to invest the mental effort required to switch to
> a more stable, perhaps better quality OS.
>
> This scenario must be fairly common in that lots of non-techie people are so
> used to Windows that given a new OS, will simply find it too much hard work
> to learn its features, no matter how much better it is than Windows. I
> personally use Ubuntu, Mac and Windows and am happy in any of them - I use
> Ubuntu Server for backups, proxy, firewall, web filtering; Macs for the
> family (and I did flirt with them for a while); and Windows for me on the
> desktop. All OSs all have their strengths and weaknesses, but for some
> people it's just not worth the effort to switch to something unfamiliar.
>
> What do you think? Have many of you managed to get older, non-techie people
> to switch happily?
>
> Mark.
>
> --
> ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
>
>

Hi Mark,

Can I just clarify... You have the opinion that people would find
learning a different OS; and that you are basing this opinion on
assumption that you think your dad would struggle to "switch"?

It's intended as a positive criticism, but consider that "most" people
don't view Operating Systems as "we" do - most people (as someone else
in this thread mentioned) really don't care, nor are they even aware
that Operating Systems exist as distinct entities. As long as the
computer as a whole, they really don't care.

And for the record, yes, my parents use Ubuntu and they aren't really
aware (nor should they care) that it's Ubuntu. As far as they're
concerned, it works for email and web. If they need some help, they
ring me and I can ssh/vnc in and fix it/help them there and then - a
convenient advantage.

My suggestion: Challenge your current thinking, and see if it is
really valid or not. Show your dad (, friends, extended family etc.)
an Ubuntu live CD and let him make his mind up. If he's happy with
what he has now, then great; If he would rather Linux, even better!

Kris