I love Linux and I think a lot of my non-technical family members would benefit from it, but I am not as brave as you. The danger with messing around with someone’s computer is that you are basically taking ownership of all tech problems the person may run into. It’s like the “You break it, you buy it” rule. The person may seek help from another tech geek, but as soon as that geek finds out they’re dealing with a “weird” Linux system, they’re going to run away from it. You are effectively volunteering to be 24x7 on-call tech support for the people whose laptops you’ve installed Linux on.
That’s a gatekeeper-y take. I tried Linux a few years back, so I guess I became a “real” tech geek a few years ago. Never mind the fact that I was 3/4 the way through a CS degree, I’d built my own computer, and was the go-to tech guy in my family. But nope, not yet a tech geek.
Yeah, I’m not sure what OP is on about or how they get away with it. I’d get phone calls for how to use outlook and MS word. I’m fortunate to have a fairly tech literate grandma, but she is old, which means set in her ways. She probably could use Linux, but she would not see the point in putting in the effort to switch habits.
I love Linux and I think a lot of my non-technical family members would benefit from it, but I am not as brave as you. The danger with messing around with someone’s computer is that you are basically taking ownership of all tech problems the person may run into. It’s like the “You break it, you buy it” rule. The person may seek help from another tech geek, but as soon as that geek finds out they’re dealing with a “weird” Linux system, they’re going to run away from it. You are effectively volunteering to be 24x7 on-call tech support for the people whose laptops you’ve installed Linux on.
@stormio
(not even a) hot take: if they think a Linux system is weird, they are not a real tech geek.
But yeah, that is why I only install extremely stable stuff. So that I am basically never asked for shit
That’s a gatekeeper-y take. I tried Linux a few years back, so I guess I became a “real” tech geek a few years ago. Never mind the fact that I was 3/4 the way through a CS degree, I’d built my own computer, and was the go-to tech guy in my family. But nope, not yet a tech geek.
Yeah, I’m not sure what OP is on about or how they get away with it. I’d get phone calls for how to use outlook and MS word. I’m fortunate to have a fairly tech literate grandma, but she is old, which means set in her ways. She probably could use Linux, but she would not see the point in putting in the effort to switch habits.
If you are gonna have to be anyway, it may as well be one you can run bash scripts on over ssh
I usually just mention it. I don’t give to many details and before you know it they will need tech support.