0) ADSL hardware 1) Web browsing and email 2) Word processing and spread sheets 3) CDROM reading/writing (don't have writing abilities at present) 4) Ability to get digital camera pictures into their computer so his artwork can be placed on eBay (have yet to get camera) 5) Printing to an HP 660 printer
My concern is that if I build this for them with Linux, I would be the only local source of help. If I build this with Windows, more of their friends could assist them when I'm not around or when I leave the country for good. Obviously I would prefer not to promote Microsoft products. At the same time, their budget is modest.
So I guess the main questions are: Can Suse 8.2 handle neophytes with limited point and click experience? Can anyone share a similar experience?
We all know SuSE can do all those things, but... When the ADSL goes wrong, their ISP won't be able to help. That would be down to you, as would securing it. Web browsing and email will probably be OK, until they hit an IE only site. We all know the politics of "any browser", but the web is what it is, in reality. Also, when they want Kazza or IM, you have some work to do. WP and spreadsheets in Openoffice will have to go through conversions if all their contacts use Windows/Office. If the conversions don't work, getting the files readable would be up to you. CD Rom reading/writing would be OK as long as you put one of the GUI CD writers within easy reach. Digital camera might be a problem - a serious one if they get an incompatible one. "Nah, Linux won't drive that - you need to buy a card reader." None of the software which comes with it will work, and the software manual will be useless. Potentially big trouble for you here. As for printing, I expect that printer will work as most HPs are well supported these days. Check first though. And expect problems when they say "my font looks different between the screen and printer". I considered a similar situation when my Dad decided to get a PC. Given he had contacts who use Windows boxes, and was keen to start learning from beginners books and magazines, it was a no brainer. Much as I hated doing it, and much as I wanted to push Linux, he got a Windows box. With 20-20 hindsight, it was undoubtedly the right decision. -- "...our desktop is falling behind stability-wise and feature wise to KDE ...when I went to Mexico in December to the facility where we launched gnome, they had all switched to KDE3." - Miguel de Icaza, March 2003