Challenges

Kurt wanted a Linux solution his whole family could use, including his wife and two pre-teen children.

His wife Amy was used to using WordPerfect and preferred it. For the children, it was important to have games on the system, especially "The Sims".

Also, they had been using Juno for their ISP, and wanted to keep it to preserve their e-mail address as well, as well as continue taking advantage of that low cost service.

Solution

I made the system dual boot with their existing Window installation. In case there was anything Linux couldn't do, Windows would still be there.

Kurt found that there were direct solutions for both Juno and The Sims on Linux. Juno provides a package for the Lindows distribution of Linux. With minor modifications this worked with their Mandrake Linux 9.2 installation.

Kurt found that the "The Sims 3000" was made specifically to run on Linux by the vendor. It installed easily and ran as expected. He also found LinCity an established city simulation game made for Linux.

I also found that their Lexmark z52 printer was supported by Linux as well.

Results

The whole family seems to be happy with Linux. Kurt took the inititive to convert the second family computer, a laptop, completely over to Linux.

Kurt uses Linux to help run his acupuncture business. He especially likes to use OpenOffice and the Gimp.

He checked out The Cathedral and the Bazaar from the library to learn more about the open source software movement.

In his own words:

Windows is easy. Just plug n' play, but there are some inefficiencies and other problems which I haven't experienced with Linux. Linux is a bit more basic and practical, and efficient. However, like any practical and efficient device, it requires a little more from the user to keep it practical efficient. My family had to consult someone who had some basic knowledge of Linux. I would not have been able to make all the adaptations required by myself, without a good bit of studying. For the person who likes to understand a bit about how their stuff works, this is a good thing. For the person who just wants to "turn the key and drive off" (like my wife) this could be a hassle. Definitely, the Linux solution, as it stands, favors the tinkerer. I know, however, that I have seen only a small portion of what Linux offers.

It also requires some descrimination. With Windows, the decisions are pretty much made for you. What everybody else is using, you can use easily (together with any glitches it has). So much is available for the Linux user that the freedom can be intimidating. Again, it favors those who prefer their freedom to convenience and conformity.

The relative lack of virus and security problems with web-surfing is nice. Not so much paranoia called for. The ease of installation and un-installation is refreshing. Not really so many surprises as when a person pays lots of money for a program, only to discover some prerequisite hardware or software missing.

It's good to hear of big computer companies using Linux on new systems. But if it were to remain small-time, I would also be happy with that. My two dinosaur, antique computers are still competitively functioning, thanks to Linux. The Windows world encourages such constant hardware upgrades and rampant consumerism that I am happy to be a Linux user for this reason alone.

Overall, I recognize that there are people who will not be interested in learning enough about computers to use Linux extensively, but for me and my family, we'll stick by it.