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On 18/03/2019 10:17, Eion MacDonald wrote: > > > On 18/03/2019 08:59, Neil wrote: >> Recently I have met a couple of people who use Linux. I have also been >> approached by some others about getting them started on it. This has got >> me thinking about what would be involved in training someone to use it. >> >> Without going into unnecessary details, I soon came to realise that it >> would involve quite a lot of time and effort to make a good job of it. >> (And I would want to do it properly.) Or so it seems to me. >> >> So I am wondering if anyone on the list is involved in teaching Linux. >> And, if so, what kind of experience they have had. I myself am thinking >> of just one or two people at home, (theirs or mine) but perhaps there >> are members out there who do it in a more formal way. >> >> Anyone? >> >> Neil >> > > I teach Linux to folk who have used Windows in the past and they do not > want to buy a new computer or have inherited old computers from family. > E.G. Granddad1 got a vista computer from son. > I teach one - to -one at local library on Windows 10 Library machine and > my own openSUSE machine or in group at U3A (where I have 3 or 4 older > machines on various distros). > Also one-to-one with neighbours, (2 folk) but as they can easily see my > machine it is easier than U3A or library as they have a ready helpdesk > (me) available. > > I usually take two basic steps. > 1) Do they have any data (documents/photos etc) on Windows that they > need to keep. If so copy to a USB external memory key. > 2) Check RAM available. If 2 Gb or less this reduces the system distros > you can use. > > I demonstrate a Linux system using two machines: > a) My own dual boot Windows 10 and openSUSE Leap15 XFCE windows > environment on external USD 1TB hard disc, which keeps Windows 10 > intact. If connected at start up it loads openSUSE LEAP15, if not it > loads windows 10. > b) an older machine with Xubuntu 64 bit. or a machine with Ubuntu or > Linux Mint > > 3. Once I am happy that their machine can load a 64 bit Linux distro, i > ask if they want to wipe Windows and use Linux Only (This is case in 90% > of folk). > > I have found most folk want to use the Xubuntu LTS version. > > 4. Hardest tasks > 4.1 Teaching how to download a Live Linux distro and put on DVD to > update versions each year. This is why I favour the Ubuntu(s) LTS versions. > They will get a few years use before needing to update. > > If OpenSUSE make sure you set up the video extras such as Packman > Repository for video codecs and load VLC video player. > > 4.2 Second hardest task, making sure they can access Wifi and have a > Ethernet connection wire in their house for updates. > Knowing how to re-set Wifi access. > 4.3 Update is easy once they have a good connection. > This habit started as Windows updates over wifi were a problem, so I > teach update when connected by ethernet. > (I do not like downloading distro update DVDs over WiFi) > > 4.4 Simple problem. Ensuring they know how to get back to a UK keyboard. > > 5 Then normal tasks: > 5.1 Browsing. > With Firefox the old ones appreciate the private browsing option. > Install uBlock. > Also install Google Chromium, as they might have used on Windows and it > is an easy way into Gmail webmail. > > 5.2 Email; > Web email first > Then teach use of Thunderbird. > > 5.3 Separate user for visitors (grandsons etc) > > 5.4 . Simple document composing, letters etc in LibreOffice and how to > save it as a PDF to send over email. > > 6. Users like an introduction to YouTube, and TED talks. > Some want to use BBC iPlayer (they do not have recent smart TVs) > > I use YouTube videos for teaching those who can use it (longer than 15 > minute attention spans) > > 7 Youngsters. > They like introduction to ProtonMail for email with their boy/girl > friends without Google etc reading and absorbing their data. > They also use smart phone messaging apps. > > Also of course get requests for how to use TOR from some youngsters and > at least one senior. > > 8. Elderly > Memory. > The use of Thunderbird for email helps the use of different passwords > for email. As enter password on each web mail entry can cause problem. > > I find they are not so sure of using a password manager. > "What if I need to get my daughter to open up an email on their computer > to help me!) > > I always set up a Libreoffice document with a list of their > user-names/passwords for each service in an 'encrypted document' with > password as their house address. E.g. "32DamLane-Damville" This is > saved onto their desktop, and a copy put in documents on /home. > > I trust this helps. If you need any more contact me on or off list. > Off list email maceion at gmail doc com > Thanks Eion Some really good advice there, I use protonmail too. With protonmail to use smtp/pop you need to pay for that feature webmail is the default option, but you do get a VPN feature. Another plan could be to introduce people to disroot, that has pop / smtp features (secure). But you also get cloud storage, limited but useful for a few files. Uses webdav so you can link directly to the Linux filemanager. Disroot a few other features too, pastebin for example. All with a single sign in. Paul -- Paul Sutton http://www.zleap.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/zleap/ gnupg : 7D6D B682 F351 8D08 1893 1E16 F086 5537 D066 302D -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG https://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq