[ubuntu-uk] Why some people will never switch

[Daniel Davies]

Mark Allison 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.
I have - on a few occasions. My 80-plus neighbour now dual boots Ubuntu 
and WinXP (mostly uses Ubuntu), A 60-plus friend down the road now has 
Ubuntu on his PC, and another 60-plus neighbour has Ubuntu on her 
Desktop. They all have small problems from time to time, but I'm happy 
to help.
Also, my Mum uses Ubuntu on her laptop, my Aunt bought an Ubuntu'd 
Desktop from me and my brother uses Ubuntu on his desktop and laptop. 
Works still in progress are: lady down the road who cares for 
disadvantaged children (she's very interested), My Dad (stubborn, but he 
is beginning to see the light, and likes Compiz) and his new girlfriend 
(mum and dad being divorced); and her two girls.
:-D
i may be going a little OTT occasionally, but I don't force anyone, just 
strongly recommend.

Daniel