[ubuntu-uk] Why some people will never switch

[Paul Tansom]

** John Levin <john at technolalia.org> [2007-12-21 16:31]:
> Kirrus wrote:
> > ----- "Mac" <Ammonius.Grammaticus at googlemail.com> wrote:
> >> Michael Holloway wrote:
> >>> On Fri, 2007-12-21 at 12:01 +0000, Mac wrote:
> >>>> Yeah, Eddie!  Let's hear it for us seriously ancient,
> >> technologically 
> >>>> decrepit listees!  (BTW, I wonder what the average age of the list
> >>>> actually is???)
> >>> We should set up a poll on launchpad or whatever to find out :)
> >> Oh dear, we'll need someone young and techie to do that...
> >>
> >> ;-)
> > 
> > http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/316250
> > 
> > Done ;)
> > 
> > Poll started today, will close on January 31st, so get your votes in now!
> > I'll post the results here.
> 
> Nice one, and thanks for the question on proximity to London.
> 
> John
> (just turned 40, so get off my lawn, you damned kids!)
** end quote [John Levin]

Hmm, that's the first time I've ever had to put my age in a bading that
includes 50! I've got around another 6 months before I start telling
people to get off my lawn :o I'd say, on a late night, gut feeling,
probably ill considered, quick thought, that the 31-50 age group covered
the most interesting and varied point in computer history. Those below
30 are generally (and I apologies for generalising, I really hate doing
it) the Windows generation and grew up with PCs running various versions
of Windows. Those in the 31-50 bracket probably cover the whole range
from those that grew up without computers at home, through those that
were ahead of the game with the kit built machines sold through the
electronics magazines, on through those that grew up with the 8 bit home
micros and on to the beginning of the end for proper computer innovation
with the 16bit computers such as the Amiga, etc.

As to the original question. My parents are both in their 70s (hope they
don't mind that being mentioned on a public list!) and whilst my Mum is
reasonably computer literate and has used computers from the Amstrad
CPC, BBC Micro and through Amiga and now PCs, my Dad is a relative
newbie. That said, my Dad is keen to learn and interested in trying to
use Linux (when I manage to build him the second machine I've promised
them). The still use Windows 98, and ever since they upgraded from their
IBM PS/1 with Windows 3.1 (386SX25) to a Dell with Windows 98 (PIII600)
I have had no end of complaints about the speed of the machine, crashes
and other oddities. As far as they are concerned Windows 3.1 was the
best Windows they've used, and hardware reliability has taken a nose
dive too. The 386 is still going strong (on the odd occaision it gets
switched on) whereas the newer Dell has had an HD failure (not for once
a Maxrot) and an increasingly unreliable CD drive.

-- 
Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001
======================================================================
Registered in England  |  Company No: 4905028  |  Registered Office:
Crawford House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6NU