On 2019-03-07 10:25 p.m., Jonathan N. Little wrote:
Paul wrote:

And I still don't believe a bit, the stories about "I gave my grandma
Linux and she hasn't phoned back since".

Well for the folks that I have installed Ubuntu, a number of which
needed to ditch obsoleted XP, I received far fewer questions then when
they had Windows.

Also some that could barely operate Windows,
installing-an-application-is-a-run-to-Geek-Squad level of expertise, did
LTS upgrades by themselves. Basically the only issues I have had with
them post initial install is when then buy a printer and I have to
inform them to throw away the accompanying disk. Well, in all fairness
if they get a new AIO Brothers or HP I get a call where Brothers uses a
script to install their driver and HP needs a upgrade to distro version
of the hplip toolbox to support the newer units.

I have to admit that the experience of setting up a printer in Linux is
much easier than in Windows, especially if it's directly connected to
the computer. If it's connected to a router, it's also much simpler
though that depends on the router you're using. I've had one which never
allowed my computer to connect remotely and then one which worked
perfectly when I changed ISPs.

However, my cousin's Brother printer was a tiny bit of a hassle to get
working. It's not too complicated for a person who has an idea of what
he's doing but definitely not something a regular user would be able to do.

I have 15 years of Unix experience, and I'm still wasting hours with
the rough edges of Linux. Which includes, making a network connection
work on a new install (because it's broken for my Intel NIC), when I
can't get a web browser to connect to the Internet so I can look up
stuff.

Really? Not had issues with Intel, but older Broadcom chipset, and then
only in the 2012-ish versions and with a couple of version chipsets.

Between Network Manager and SystemD adding no value to the
experience, all I get is more broken NICs for my trouble. The network
actually worked at one time, and there were fewer things to go
wrong.

Once and a dog's age Network Manager can go AWOL when dealing with WiFi
network with issues, but far less than I have experience with Windows
and WiFi f-ups. In fact I find just about everything involving
networking more dependable than Windows. Hell I have found Linux does
Windows sharing better than Windows does Windows sharing with other
Windows systems!

My wireless connectivity in Windows sometimes drops for no reason
(especially when using a VPN) or stays connected but refuses to resolve
any host. I never have such issues in Linux.