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On Sun, 2010-01-24 at 15:04 +0000, Neil Winchurst wrote: > Simon Robert wrote: > > I'm not sure that converting people to linux is that difficult if a. > > they have a reason to change and b. one is prepared to convert them to > > one of the "simple" to use distros. > > > > If the convertee watches movies etc.. then provide them with a distro > > which has, or will install, all needed codecs. Provide a distro which > > always automatically downloads all needed dependencies and removes > > previous versions of whatever app it happens to be. Make sure it has > > wide wifi support installed when the distro is installed, likewise > > support for media cards, dongles etc. And likewise propitiatory graphics > > drivers. > > > > I reckon this gives you a choice of 3 or 4 distros. > > > Right, so which three/four would that be then? > > Neil Winchurst > > > I don't think we need to go there, but (and no flame war is intended) k/ubuntu, mint and maybe opensuse are distros I know about. PClinuxOS was great, but I think has fallen a bit behind. Maybe, though I don't know, fedora, and though I like mandriva I think it's software installation might not be what a "convertee" needs although the rest of its management tools are great. It doesn't always pick up dependencies when one trys to install software. Also mephis. It doesn't really matter as long as the converter is willing to install all the needed codecs, plugins, clones (aMSN comes to mind) and linux versions of cross platform stuff (skype for example). Most people have zero interest in software, o/s's and the way apps are licensed. They also have no interest in file system structures, user permissions and the command line. I know and understand all these things. But it doesn't mean I want to have to make active use of them. If a distro doesn't come with the means of watching a region 1 encrypted DVD installed, or a divx file I know what to install (as long as these things are in a repository either installed or installable). If these things are not in a repository and/or the distro has not picked up my DVB-S card etc I'll dump it for one that does have them. Life is too short to be recompiling kernels so a satellite card is detected or doing a manual scan for a channel list if these things are available else where. Linux is great. I'll convert anyone convertible to it. But as for spreading the gospel (a nasty metaphor for those as atheistic as myself), well you should probably use holy books the convertee can read without spending years in a seminary. -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html