[Nottingham] Response on awareness day

[Matthew Walster]

On Thursday 03 November 2005 16:35, Michael Simms wrote:
> I have to say my experience with that is completely different. I set up
> a linux box for my mother and brother and sister (13 and 14 at the
> time), and they were fine with it, no problems using it. I did take a
> while setting things up, but not a prohibitive amount of time.

You were there to help set-up though - that's the problem. With minimal 
assistance, most can use Linux, and use it well. With no assistance, I think 
most will fall at the first hurdle.

> And suffice to say, my mother is NO computer expert, but she used it all
> the time quite easilly.

Which says something - maybe what is needed is a course at the local 
college/community centre or something to show people how to use computers, 
and have Linux machines there.

Maybe I'm thinking the wrong way though - no-one is going to turn up to learn 
how to use Linux, they want to learn how to use a computer, maybe teaching 
Linux would be a disadvantage for those people - as they're probably only 
going to come into contact with Windows for the next 2-3 years.

Matthew Walster
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