Fedora and the "normal" user

[Robin Laing]

Peter Lauri wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
>  
> 
> I am considering to remove all Windows apps on my staff’s computers and 
> replace it with Fedora. The main things they use are email, web, chat, 
> word processing etc. I know all these are supported in Fedora, and I do 
> like how they work (using them my self mostly, unless I am using this 
> computer that has windows installed).
> 
>  
> 
> Is there anyone here who has enforced usage of Fedora on your staff’s 
> computers where the staff has pretty low computer experience etc. I 
> assume I just need to give them time to get used to it.
> 
>  
> 
> Would you recommend them to use GNOME or KDE?
> 
>  
> 
> What is the main concern about a Windows -> Fedora transform for 
> “normal” people? My feeling is that most people using Fedora are of 
> higher computer experience.
> 
>  
> 
> Would you let your mum use Fedora instead of and Win XP machine? (assume 
> that you installed it properly for her).
> 
>  
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Peter Lauri
> 

I would make a few changes to start the process on Windows and then the 
final move to Fedora or other distribution.

1.  Put Firefox and Thunderbird on the Windows computers and start using 
them.  Now if you could only delete IE.  I personally don't like 
Evolution but if the users are using Outlook, then put Evolution on as 
it seems like an Outlook clone.

This will get them use the the Linux versions of the applications.

2.  Put OpenOffice on their systems and after a week or two, remove 
Office.  Get them use to OpenOffice for everything.  This will help to 
find any issues with macro's or templates that need to be addressed.

3.  See if you can find Windows versions of the other programs you plan 
on using in Linux.  Again, give the staff time to get used to the software.

I recommend Gnome as it is getting more and more like Windows as a 
desktop.  This makes it easier for people to transition.  This is also 
the suggestion from our IT staff.

If you need to run Windows applications, there are different options. 
We use, I believe, a Citrix server for those applications.  I never need 
them.

As for my mother, I would have put Fedora on a computer for her in a 
minute.  At least then I would be sure that she was safer than with 
Windows as she didn't have a clue about anything doing with computers.

My kids use Fedora and my daughter prefers Fedora over her Mac at school.

As a psychological move, you could take the time to change or upgrade 
their computer to think that they are getting a new computer.  There was 
even a post where a person put Linux on a computer for his father and 
told him it was Vista.

-- 
Due to the move to M$ Exchange Server,
    anything that is a priority, please phone.
Robin Laing