Like a lot of technically savvy people I’m the default technical support person for friends and family. I’ve no problem with that, but I can’t spend all my time answering my mother-in-law’s questions and worrying over what malware she might stumble over. So, I put desktop Linux on her laptop and ever since then I’ve had a lot fewer late night calls.

What’s that? Linux is much too complicated and techie for someone who might have trouble navigating Outlook Express? Sorry, that’s not been the case for years. Take a look at the new Ubuntu 9.10, and you’ll see what I mean.

Besides, think about it. If your older relatives are like mine they use the desktop for e-mail and the Internet and that’s about it. Firefox, with GMail for e-mail, looks and works the same both on Linux and Windows.

More >