On Sun, 2007-03-25 at 21:24 +0200, Peter Lauri wrote: > 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. I set up a Fedora box for a very non-computer-literate client who was always getting me to do all his computing work for him. He manages to do it quite well, I've even got him to set up things like dial-up networking over the phone successfully. > Would you recommend them to use GNOME or KDE? Either, though I'd probably say use Gnome first. It's simpler, and I find the menu structure less daunting. People can find what they want, by themselves, quite easily from the menu (much more easily than the mess in Windows menus). Those that like to heavily customise their account might want to use KDE, there's more things to fiddle with. Finding what program they want is probably the first hurdle new users are going to have to deal with. Once they've managed that, which should only take a few seconds for anyone competent enough to use any sort of computer, they've just got to get used to the applications that they use. That's an issue with any type of computer, whether it be Windows or Linux. I'd say Linux is no worse than Windows, in that regards. > 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. I'd say that's only needed if you're installing or reconfiguring. And that skill level requirement's the same for Windows. Probably more so, as you've got to know all sorts of tricks to work around its foibles. > Would you let your mum use Fedora instead of and Win XP machine? > (assume that you installed it properly for her). I had done that to my Mum. I foisted it upon her quite some time ago. About the only problems were that she couldn't beat it at chess, and she's addicted to some games she bought for it on Windows (crossword puzzles and brainteasers sort of things). In a later message you've said that you're going away shortly, I'd say that doing a system change at the same time would be a bad idea. I would set up a few demo machines for people to learn on, and for you to learn what's needed. Better to find out if something is useless before you commit yourself. -- (This box runs FC6, my others run FC4 & FC5, in case that's important to the thread.) Don't send private replies to my address, the mailbox is ignored. I read messages from the public lists.
