Voice of the Masses: Best distro for older users?
A Linux Voice reader just got in touch with us asking for advice: he wants to find the right distro for his parents to use. They’re in their early ’80s and mainly use their PC for light web browsing, typing a few letters in a word processor, and playing the occasional Flash game. Right now they have a Vista box with 1GB of RAM, so they’re looking for a distro that’s not too heavy on the RAM banks.
We have lots of ideas for this, but we thought we’d also ask you, the LV community: what distro would you recommend for this scenario? What would be best for an older couple who know some computing basics, but don’t want to be fazed by lots of unfamiliarity? Let us know your thoughts and we’ll read out the best responses in our upcoming podcast recording!
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About The Author
Mike Saunders
Mike stores his data by printing out hex dumps and laminating the sheets. He's the author of The Haynes Linux Manual and the creator of MikeOS, an operating system hand-built from assembly language.
Install Debain using netinsl.
Install kde-plasma-desktop.
Iceweasel or Chromium for web-browsing
Dolphin as the file manager
Libreoffice as the spreadsheet & writer.
Anyone should be at home as this feels basically like windows.
If this setup is a little heavy, just install fluxbox and setup the menu properly.
Using KDE apps (for ease of use) with fluxbox – a very old machine can fly 😀
After a beard scratch, I would come down on the side of Mint Mate or maybe XFCE with a tweak or two.
Mint for the flash and office bundled in with the stock install. Mate for the traditional looking desktop.
I think Linux Mint is the short answer, because it’s reliable and pretty familiar for people coming from a Windows background.
I’d also consider Ubuntu, if they’re the kind of elderly people who have a new TV, are into Facebook, and are generally pretty up for adventure, simply because it’s something new. Unity is simple and straight-forward (maybe more so than Mint), just unfamiliar.
If they had come from a Mac background, I would definitely have suggested Unity before Cinnamon.
Final comment: there will probably be suggestions for minority distros. They might be great. The reason I don’t suggest one is that 1) there are too many for me to keep track of, and 2) for new Linux users, the big names are a known quantity: they are better-known, and if I’m not around, other people are more likely to be around to help who are familiar with them.
This segues nicely from last fortnight’s Voice of the Masses as I am looking to migrate my aged in-laws from Windows XP to a Linux distro that won’t freak them out.
My in-laws are very conservative when it comes to technology and don’t really distinguish between Windows and Office, or anything else they might use. To them it’s just using a computer.
This is really an advantage. As long as I can get them using something that looks very similar to what they’re used to, they won’t care what it’s called.
I’ve been trying a few distros in VirtualBox and trying to find a balance top-notch functionality and lean use of resources as the in-law’s PC is not exactly new.
The distro I use on my home PC, which my wife is happy to use, is Ubuntu, but I think Unity might be a bit much for the in-laws.
My next port of call was of course Linux Mint, which is fine, but I think may push the hardware a bit too hard.
Next I tried Xubuntu, which was better (I personally like the dock application launcher) and I’m sure would fit the bill, if it were not for the fact that I next tried Lubuntu.
Lubuntu just fitted the bill perfectly: a lightweight distro that is not to demanding of older hardware, a great collection of applications, a coherent interface and everything is the right place (mostly) for Windows XP users.
So far, so good. I’ve got the in-laws to try out Lubuntu and they seem to have coped very well. I even heard them say is worked better than Windows, but then I don’t think they were very conscientious in applying the Windows security updates.
A big win for Lubuntu then.
CrunchBang is a good choice. It’s lightweight and easy to install, and it runs nicely on older kit. It is also media ready out of the box. Updates and maintenance are easy, too.
Lubuntu, simple interface similar to XP light use on hardware
As a 60-something, I started with Ubuntu several years ago, and have tried Debian, Crunchbang, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu, but have come back to Ubuntu. I have introduced many friends (some older, some younger) to Ubuntu and like me they now use it every day. Similarity to Windows is irrelevant – people often can’t wait to get away from anything that looks like windows. This is where the Unity desktop wins – most users’ needs are met with the line of buttons on the launcher opening the applications they use regularly. One mouse-click and the application is there on the desktop.
I think Mint Xfce must be on the shortlist but for me there is a flaw in Xfce’s menu system. I have to stop and think every time whether I need to look in ‘system’, ‘settings’ or ‘settings manager’ to make any tweaks. Not great for a newbie from XP.
That said, Xfce can be made to look very appealing presentationally. This is the only area where I think Lubuntu needs to improve, which otherwise would win my recommendation. Is eye candy a factor for XP migrants? I think it is.
So… I think the answer is Mint Xfce by a narrow margin.
And here’s a second thought: the ideal distro for us oldies would be Debian stable with the Unity desktop – only with a full menu button in place of the “dash home” button. And none of the online searching stuff. Perfect.
I already installed on one old Laptop Linux Mint Debian edition, because it needed a non PAE Kernel. Although i just found out, there would be a solution to allow the installation with the pae warning.
But if the Laptop would be newer, i would recommend to install elementary Os Luna, or to wait until Isis is out.
I don’t think old people can use a computer. My aunt can barely use a Windows PC (to say at least), but she can efficiently use an Android tablet. And my mom can’t use any sort of PC, she has an iPad and a Galaxy phone. And they aren’t that old.
That is a very sweeping statement, I know of several silver surfers including a couple of folk in their 80’s who are not only computer literate but are happily using Linux, either Mint or Ubuntu.
Oh! Oh! In my eight decade I am operating OpenSUSE, Knoppix as Linux systems, windows from DOS through EP to win 7 on various boxes and also computer systems of others. Age is no barrier.
Wait until you are over 60 befoe passing such comments! Almost everyone is able to use any technological device if they want to, or need to, and their introduction to the device is tailored to their needs.
I would install an elementaryOS. It is easy to use, because the focus of this distro is in the design and the usability.
It is based ob Ubuntu, theirfore it is easy to install Software.
Just like most things in the Linux world, the answer is firmly in the ‘it depends’ camp.
If you’re there to support, then I would use something that *YOU* are familiar with and can support because you’re going to be the one they call.
If you’re not going to be there to support, I would go where there is a big community to help support, like Ubuntu. ElemtaryOS and Mint are solid contenders.
Dealing with the RAM, the distro itself doesn’t matter a ton as much as the desktop manager you work with. I would avoid Gnome 3, KDE, and Unity, but XFCE and Cinanmon are good mid-requirement desktops that they would probably be able to function in. MATE and LXDE are more low end for requirements, but MATE will take some getting used to and I think LXDE has fallen off active development, so its not good for most non-technical users.
If it were me, I would choose Mint or Mint Debian with Cinnamon. But I use Mint as my daily driver and can support it. If you’re a Fedora user, it would probably make a bad choice.
It has to be Ubuntu – lock apps to the launcher, done!
For older users? I would install Lubuntu or Mint Mate, and plop a big old icon in them middle of the desktop, and call it Internet, and turn on high contrast, and magnification
Vista is a bit of a complicated mess, but the general interface – a step up from XP – is fairly standard. I’d probably agree with most the comments that it would be easier to simply give them an interface that they know. Lubuntu or Mint Mate would do the job, but just to throw an alternative into the mix, NetRunner with Google Chrome installed as an extra would do the job nicely.
For me as an OAP, I think that mint debian edition gives stability and longevity combined with ease of use. Not too much of a learning curve from windows
I have my 70+ year old Father running Xubuntu. XFCE isn’t too heavy on resources and doesn’t change too dramatically between versions.
Of course, with it being an Ubuntu derivative there is long term support, so things stay the same for a long-ish time. He doesn’t like it when things change.
I guess I count as an older user (49)! Fedora all the way.
What about using Eldy? ( http://www.eldy.eu/about-us/ ) It works on Linux, Mac, Windows, whether on computers, tablets or TV.
( http://www.eldy.eu/software/download-eldy/ )
I set up my parents (both 69) with their first computer last year running Mint Cinnamon and it has been a resounding success. I haven’t had a tenth of the IT calls that I expected with them being brand new to computers. But, the laptop I set up for them had 2 gig of RAM. If I was restricted to 1 gig like the questioner I would have seriously considered Lubuntu. I once had Lubuntu 11.04 running on a Pentium 3 Thinkpad with 256 MB of RAM and it was quite usable and not at all ugly. I would imagine that on a Vista era machine that it would be fairly peppy indeed (a hell of lot faster than Vista with that amount of RAM), and Lubuntu’s layout is pretty logical and straightforward.
Elementary OS seems good, just installed it for a local charity group and locked it down using docky not panel, basically so it can’t be messed up. Then put a self proxy on it so they dont see anything dodgey on it. The reports I have had are positive as it is easy to use and the kids that using are all impressed it looks like a mac, however the children don’t like the proxy because they can’t watch “owt dodgey” on it.
Linux Mint or Lubuntu (1/2 a vote each) – Mint is great at giving all the software they will need right away (last time I checked it had things like java installed), and Lubuntu will be nice if they need a little bit more speed.
If the Linux Voice user in question has to be the one to make the decision, I’d plump for one of the SparkyLinux distributions; the LXDE or Maté versions are probably the best bets. (I’ve heard good things about Puppy Linux for low spec PCs, but have never found the time to try it out, so I don’t feel comfortable recommending it in any concrete fashion.)
Personally, though, I always believe the users should be the ones making the choice, even if they insist on being left out of it. Download the ISOs of a few likely candidates, sit the users down in front of VirtualBox, get them to try out as many as their patience will allow, and have them make the choice. Plus, chances are that most users won’t much care about the distribution, but they will care about the desktop environment–and it’s much easier to put more than one DE on a machine than it is to dual boot.
Incidentally, a nice quick-and-dirty comparison of RAM requirements for a vast slew of WMs and DEs can be found in this three-part blog entry: http://l3net.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/a-memory-comparison-of-light-linux-desktops/
[I do so wish that Haiku OS would finally get finished, because I’d recommend the living crap out of that for situations like this. But that’s not a Linux operating system, and thus is off topic.]
Puppy is OK. I use it as an alternative Live Linux to work on very old machines. Has advantage it is easy to set up networking to internet and clear dialog screens,
I converted my partner’s mum’s Vista laptop to Xubuntu, and installed Docky so that the six applications she uses are easily accessible at the bottom of the screen a la Mac OS X.
I also replaced Windows XP on my Aunt’s creaking Sony Vaio notebook with Lubuntu, and it has given it a new lease of life.
Both of these were done about 7 months ago and they’ve both been using their laptops happily without needing any support from me, which is a complete contrast to the constant breaking and slowdown under Windows.
I have found that for existing windows users then Mint Mate usually works as it has a very similar feel with the menu, also has full compliment of software for what most people would use a PC for. All that is needed is to pin the software they will be using to the favourites menu.
If its a new user wanting to go on the net Mint first choice so if they do come into contact with Windows XP, 7 (or god forbid Vista) they will have an idea where to find stuff. Ubuntu is also a good choice once you’ve added a few codecs and Flash for online video. You can customise the dock for the short-cuts to the software that they will be using.
If the person is a distance away it may also be a good idea to install remote access software such as ‘Team Viewer’ then if needed you can solve any problems remotely. If introducing any new user to Linux I’m always prepared to be the IT consultant until they are settled with the new system.
Judging by the posts, the masses clearly vote Mint. My brother and I installed Mint 16 with Cinnamon on our parents computer when we were home for the holidays. They love it, though the command line still scares them.
I like Pinguy for newbies. Easy to use and comes with a lot of pre-installed software. For older systems, I like Peppermint OS, with its simple ease of use.
There is no one right answer for this question. Firstly not all older users are the same by any stretch of the imagination, so there just can’t be one answer. I know lots of older users who can make younger users look like the they know almost nothing (how many people under 30 have ever written a mouse driver in assembly for example).
Assuming we take older user to mean, an older relative of yours with little computer experience. Then my answer would be the distro I’m happy to support and setup/install for my relative (in my case fedora) with which ever desktop I think would suit them best (in the case of my Mum/Dad cinnamon).
In my case I would also setup remote admin via ssh/vnc as my parents lack the grammar to describe any problems they encounter (work like window icon etc mean very little to them), so if a remote control their screen I can show them how todo stuff while on the phone.
Mint certainly has its pros but a more unusual suggestion might be Scientific Linux. Each release is supported for much longer than Mint releases so you wouldn’t have to go and update Gran’s computer every six months and be worrying about what changes there might be for her to have to learn.
The SL update manager (I forget the name) is very easy to use so there’d be no concern over security patches. This is why I’d suggest SL over CentOS.
I’d do a bit of fiddling with the default Gnome classic desktop to make it a bit more familiar looking to someone coming from Windows but it wouldn’t be much effort.
I’m 75 and have run Gentoo for 11 years currently using either LXDE or KDE desktops. For my wife’s transition from XP I’ve opted for Mageia 4 with KDE. Should be some interesting exchanges during that process.
Being rude, the best distro for an elderly relative is probably the one you use (assuming you’re using one of the major ones), because you just know you’re going to get one of those “how do i?”.
If I didn’t have to support it myself, I’d say pick one of the majors – Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Fedora or OpenSuse. They’ve all got pro’s and con’s – although I’ve got a soft spot for Ubuntu and Mint myself.
Knoppix might get a look in too. One thing I would look for is accessibility support “out of the box”.
By the way, why are a lot of people trying to recommend lightweight distros? Surely if a PC is good enough to run Vista then it’ll run a more svelte Linux distro with ease?
This is probably heresy, but my experience is that the “silver surfers” get on a whole lot better with Windows 8 than younger “experienced” users do. Although please don’t take that as me recommending that train wreck of an OS!
I think the distro matters less than the desktop, and their tastes and preferences are going to vary as wildly as the rest of us.
My advice wouldn’t really differ from that which I’d offer to any new Linux user (unless there were specific issues to do with sight or motor skills etc.). If they’re coming from Windows then a well-set-up KDE would work well. If they’re new to computers I’d do with Gnome Shell or, again, possibly KDE (though set up differently). So long as it’s a distro I can support them on and I take the time to listen to their desires and preferences then it’s very much like breakfast cereal.
Something rolling would be an advantage so they never have to worry about doing a reinstall for a new version.
Debian testing would probably be my choice. It combines Debian’s solidity with the advantages of a rolling distro. And is, in fact, exactly what I give my Mum.
That’s a good point about the advice being no different for any new user. With the possible exeption of big icons being desirable
Without being too ageist, 80 years old = poor eyesight and difficulty with mouse control.
Solution: – apt-get install big-cursor
Needs word processing, email and web browsing. EVERY Linux distro can do this. Ubuntu/Unity with its dash would be my choice for ease of finding out what you need.
http://handylinux.org/ (for french people)
Hello, I’m a member of the HandyLinux team. Based on Débian and xfce an OS for absolut beginners. And you can found HL in English!
http://handylinux.org/index-en.html
Try it and come and meet us on our forum…
Enjoy
For a machine that has Vista with 1Gig Ram and users who may not be too keen on learning new things Lubuntu should work just fine.
typcial system menu at the bottom left and lightweight. also based on ubuntu means access to lots of software.
XFCE (Xubuntu) would be the other choice.
A new LTS version likely to come out soon so that would be the perfect thing to put on the machine.
I gave my parents an old laptop running WattOS. They use it for light web browsing and checking their emails through the browser. They manage their photos and write the odd email using desktop software. I’ve had no questions from them in 5 months. I used to get weekly questions when they were doing the same thing on Vista. WattOS deserves more kudos – it’s light and simple to use.
I think it probably matters more how you set it up and how you support the potential convert. My mum and dad are on a standard ubuntu installation and they’re happy because it’s got big icons and it’s faster than windows was. They didn’t find unity a problem either. The main thing though is to make sure you install alternatives for any programmes they were using and to be there as the tech support. As someone who is acting as tech support for some older linux converts my big tip is disable virtual desktops. Everything disapearing when accidentally scrolling the mouse wheel can be too much for some.
Thanks for mentioning http://www.webconverger.com/
We do occasionally get an email from an OAP saying that they are using Webconverger to access banking sites etc. securely.
Years ago I was yelled at by my mum because I upgraded Win98 to WinXP and it “Looks totally different”
Recently she upgraded from Win98 running on an archaic pc form before the 2000s to a state of the art laptop running Win8. Before I could get there with some Linux goodness she mastered Win8. Just goes to show the right distro is whatever the person feels comfortable with and you feel you can maintain. That’s what chose is all about right?
There is a Distro here for DIY Linux users ideal for real opld machines like p2,p3 etc which uses packages from Debian and Vector here
http://sourceforge.net/projects/anitaos/
My parents are very happy with Lubuntu after XP started emitting warnings about it’s impending demise they were a little ocncerned but I took along Lubuntu and they really like it. It works far faster and the online TV no longer freezes up on the wireless. It does most things they were doing before . Just a few things like video for Skype and some other programs that need windows is not covered but on the whole they are delighted. I am by no means an expert myself, but learning all the time and helping others get onto Linux is my way of giving something back. I am sure that the 60+ community are more than capable of doing advanced stuff with the help of the fantastic Linux community, more than me- I recall phoning support in ’95 and not knowing what a start button was at the age of 30!
Skype now has a Linux version. Google how to install via terminal, its pretty easy just copy and paste. Or check the package manager, search Skype an install if its on the list.
Nothing like reviving an old topic, but I’m a huge fan of Zorin OS, simply because I’ve deployed that for both of my elderly parents, one of which is grossly technically challenged.
It’s built with all the tools necessary to run Windows software if necessary (wine, PlayonLinux, cifs-utils) out of the box, and like Mint it uses the Ubuntu backbone.
There is a small cost for the Premium version, but in my opinion it’s worth the 9 Euros. ESPECIALLY if the person installing it is not accustomed to Linux.
SolydXK is a better choice. Debian stable on a rolling release. So never need to reinstall the OS. This distro is aimed at stability so less bugs and more tested software.
In addition it comes with the Ubuntu software installer, so software is very easy to install.
Also do think older people need a very easy to use magnifier, as many old people have bad vision.
Well, it depends on what persons want to do: if they’ll use the pc just for emails, some web browsing and for printing … in my opinion for such persons all distros are good.
Two years ago I’ve installed Slackware on my father pc (he’s a less than dummy pc user). Well, he uses it without problems.
PC-BSD, with compatible hardware. Yeah, I know, it’s not Linux, but the question was simply “from a Linux Voice reader”;’ not requiring the distribution to be Linux.