HeavyDogFeet @ HeavyDogFeet @lemmy.world

Just tippy-tappin' my way across the internet.

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Joined

2 yr. ago

This shit seems like the perfect basis for a discrimination lawsuit.

Maybe it’s time for a grown up CEO.

You can absolutely contact Microsoft (or Apple) for support, plus basically any computer store will happily charge a small fee for basic tech support, or you can call the computer manufacturer or reseller. On the Linux side, unless you bought from something like System76, the chances of you finding an official support network that an elderly person would find usable and accessible are pretty slim.

That’s absolutely not the idea I have in my head. If you read most of my replies here, I think I explain pretty clearly that the main issue I see with Linux is not actually the software itself, it’s that there’s not a good, normie-friendly support system for when things do go wrong or things aren’t immediately obvious.

I also tend to advocate for MacOS more than Windows. Although I’ve used both my whole life, I find macOS a lot more intuitive than windows, and I would generally never recommend windows unless there’s a specific need for it.

Mid 60s and up, around retiring age (or at least that’s retiring age where I am).

I have, but that’s not the point. There are places you can take a computer and say “hey, I’d like one Windows installation, please.” There are exceedingly few places that would help an old person set up a Linux installation, at which point theyre at the mercy of whatever nerd in their life will do it, and then just hoping they don’t move or die.

Im specifically not expecting them to do it themselves, which is why I think Linux is not a good option.

I don’t get the point of playing what if.

If Linux somehow grew its market share to 80% of all users then there probably would be some form of support-based business or companies forking off their own version and building their own supported platforms, and the we end up with a bunch of closed platforms competing for all the money by offering a more polished experience for a premium.

Or none of that happens. I don’t know, this is all just make-believe because it’s a scenario that’s never going to happen.

To be clear, I didn’t say Linux is never suitable for elderly people. I said it’s not the best, which is the claim the original article made.

Because it’s hard to support employees and compete with corporate behemoths like Microsoft and Apple when your product is a free, open-source OS?

But you get that not everyone has you on speed dial to fix things, right? That’s my point.

Also, you can get a used MacBook Air in great condition for that price. Or a slightly older Pro. You just can’t get the absolute latest and greatest, but for that price you were never going to anyway, so it’s sort of moot.

It’s not because it’s not used by the common public, it’s because there aren’t normie-friendly resources and or a company help desk that average people rely on when they need assistance. It’s all well and good for people to say these things are easy to learn and they don’t break, it in the real world, for people who don’t really care about this stuff but have to use it for a few random tasks, it’s nice to know there’s a place that will help you. Not everyone has a techie friend or relative.

The issue is not with the software itself (although there are issues there) as much as it is with non-commercial nature of Linux. It’s great that there’s a thriving community of people who are passionate about this stuff and get great use and enjoyment out of it, but many of the reasons people love it are also reasons why it will probably never be a viable mainstream option.

Im not saying it’s impossible, but it’s not “the best”. Even in your example, you set everything up. But if something goes wrong, will you be there to fix it? With a Mac, which is lately idiot-proof, if something breaks there’s an easy number to call or places you can take your machine.

Again, not saying it’s unusable, but just being usable wasn’t the claim.

Hilarious. In what world is a Linux a good choice for “Elderly people who are not familiar with advanced technology and prefer clean and simple computer usage”.

The elderly people I know already struggle with the systems they’ve used for years. And when something goes wrong, they can ask basically anyone and someone will be able to help them.

Now insert Linux (which “flavour”? Who knows, pick one) and see who can help with even basic tasks or problems. This is fantasy shit.

Web 4, now with Grift 2.

Web 4 — it’s web 3 but this time the grift is slightly different.

I’m sure you’re right and it wouldn’t be an issue, but I’m anal about reducing redundancy and complication wherever I can. If I can have one place to charge everything and don’t have to check what belongs to what, I’ll do it.

Wait til they find out I'm happy to pay nothing and still get the same content (often with less hassle).

All these streaming services seem to have forgotten that piracy is incredibly easy and a lot of use chose to use their services because they were originally convenient and affordable. Now that they're more fractured than ever and way more expensive, why would I bother?

I don't have many tools (or any children) but if I'm buying a bunch of battery operated stuff, you can be sure it's all going to be able to use the same batteries and chargers.

What are the chances that it won’t cause extinction, but will just make things a bit (or maybe a lot) worse for a lot of people?

I don’t think any reasonable people are all that concerned with doomsday scenario as much as with the slow march towards a bullshit future.