Installed Ubuntu for someone else

[trevm999]

So today I just feel like sharing my experience with putting Ubuntu 12.04 on my parents-in-law's laptop. It was a Core 2 Duo Acer laptop running Vista. They were saying it was running slow. GSmartControl showed the hard drive had failing sectors, so I replaced the hard drive with a WD Black and upgraded the RAM from 2GB to 4GB. We talked about putting on Windows 7, but they decided they didn't want to buy it, so it was between putting Vista back on or Ubuntu. They left it up to me so I put on Ubuntu. After the installed, the brightness of the screen couldn't be adjusted and the default was a bit to dim, so I found the fix for that, I also had to find a driver for the webcam. Ubuntu found a driver for their printer, and their scanner worked with Simple Scan. I transferred everything I could from their Vista install and the end result, everything was setup similar to what they had before, but Ubuntu.

Amazing, the only support I have add to provide aside from the initial setup was to set a default player for CDs and show how to open photos in the image editor rather than the preview. I think Ubuntu could make those two things a bit more intuitive.

However, I certainly wouldn't provide this for a customer. Unless they had decided on their own that they wanted Ubuntu, we determined that there were no Windows only programs they needed, and they had a Ubuntu certified computer. So basically, it's not happening anytime soon.

Though, I am considering putting Ubuntu on my parents laptop. It it an HP running Windows 7 with some kind of Pentium mobile processor. They say it is slow, and I've recently done a tune up on it. Maybe they should just get a better computer though. They are your typical completely non-tech savvy PITA, which is kind of ironic considering they spawned an IT tech and a programmer. It may be more work than it is worth to help them use Ubuntu. They must have had the laptop for 3 years, so I'd say they've already got the expected lifespan of their cheap laptop. But on the other hand, I don't think they will like Windows 8.

 

[layoric]

Ha, I just installed ubuntu for a customer that didn't gave a coa and their drive died, so no backups of course. I'll just give a quick run through on how it works, but everything else is an extra cost.

Seemed to run fine on a core duo w/1 gb ram, after a few reboots and updates. :thumbup:

 

[moss]

I'd recommend Xubuntu for slightly slower computers or Linux Mint for new Linux users. I find Ubuntu quite resource hungry and the GUI can be slightly confusing.

 

[ThanatosOfOne]

In the inverse, We got a machine that a customer had us wipe ubuntu and lay the factory 7 back out there.

 

[SilverLeaf]

I set up a non tech-savy family member with Xubuntu on and old p4 Optiplex several years back and it does everything she needs it to. I do advise using the LTS packages though so you are not forced into the upgrade process nearly as often.

Customers are a different story. A successful conversion requires a thorough understanding of what they intend/expect to do and what hardware they have, or plan on acquiring. You must closely manage the expectations here to avoid potential disappointment.

 

[JustInspired]

I do advise using the LTS packages though so you are not forced into the upgrade process nearly as often.

Forgive my ignorance but what is a LTS Package?
Thanks

 

[Vicenarian]

LTS = Long Term Support

 

[jbradt]

I've had excellent results installing Mint for a few people. I've found that the more familiar desktop/window layout helps ease them into the transition.

I agree with SilverLeaf that managing expectations of the end users is huge. As is giving them a little bit of a tour of the package management system. IME, once people see how easy it is to find and install basically whatever they want for free, they get interested.