Even though there will be challenges and obstacles for someone making the transition from Windows, there are plenty of ways to make the learning curve much more gentle.
- Take Your Time: Start with Cross-Platform Applications
- Choose a Beginner-Friendly Distribution
- Carefully Choose a Desktop Environment
- Set up Dual-Boot
- Leverage Remote Support
- Tweak and Automate What You Can
Moving from Windows to any other platform, Linux included, will take time. This is not a case of setting up a machine, handing the user a manual (or placing a PDF manual on the desktop), and being on your merry way. Keep in mind that while enthusiasts don't generally mind tweaking, a significant number of people just want their computers to work and try to avoid worrying about the details. Dealing with change is also stressful, particularly for people belonging to this demographic. Take plenty of time for this transition--the slower the change, the easier it is to be comfortable. The first part of the transition should be keeping the platform while changing applications. For example, teach the person about LibreOffice and/or Google Docs along with how to make things work without using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If he/she hasn't already started using Firefox or Google Chrome, now is the time to start. While the platform does matter, for Joe User, it's all about the programs--if he can't get his work done, changing platforms is pointless.
Choosing a distribution must be done carefully. There are hundreds of them, but only a handful are truly suitable for beginners. While popularity should not be the deciding factor, it should be considered. Support from the community cannot replace personal help, it will reduce long-term dependence. It also will make finding niche software less difficult. Choosing from something from the top 20 entries on DistroWatch.com could be a good guide, but target audience also matters. For example, Arch Linux or FreeBSD would generally not be good choices. On the other hand, ElementaryOS, Linux Mint, OpenSUSE, Mageia, or Ubuntu could be wonderful ways to start.
Like operating systems, desktop environments have long been the source of many a flamewar. The workflow and underlying philosophy for a particular desktop environment should be considered. For example, KDE is definitely for someone who wants to have fine-grained control over the way she works. LXDE is good for slower machines, but it is also good those who prefer minimalism and speed. Unity and GNOME are great despite being different from the traditional desktop. XFCE, MATE, and Cinnamon are all good for making an easy transition from Windows without being slow or excessively shiny. Choose what fits best for the person's situation.
Despite the challenges that Secure Boot and EFI have brought to modern Linux computing, dual-booting is still one of the best ways to gradually make the transition from Windows. Pay careful attention to detail when doing so. Documents should be available from either operating system without excessive work to save or open them from either operating system. They could be placed on their own partition, or you could replace the standard folders (Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Video) with links to the corresponding folders on the Windows partition. Login passwords should be the same. Wallpapers should be nice, but different. Using bookmark synchronization and an add-on password manager in web browsers is a necessity. Make it as easy as possible for the user to work in either operating system without creating any unnecessary barriers created by dual-booting.
Don't forget remote support. Use whatever product you prefer. Some popular cross-platform products include ScreenConnect, TeamViewer, VNC, and Chrome Remote Desktop. If you are only concerned with the Linux side of things, SSH and FreeNX are also good. The user will run into problems or have questions. Be ready to handle them without being a burden on yourself.
Go the extra mile and reduce the user's workload in getting acclimated. For example, remove programs that are completely useless for him/her. If Facebook is the major channel for communications, Pidgin is probably not needed. Put commonly-used programs in an easy-to-access location, such as the panel or desktop. Make sure that the software manager, such as that included with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or OpenSUSE, is also quickly accessible unless you would prefer to manage software for them. Automate tasks like backups. If nothing else, use CrashPlan to backup to your own account or install Simple Backup to do daily archives to a local hard drive. Once you have put the machine on-site, help them with getting their e-mail going. Be sure that printing is not a problem. Take hints from the Windows side of their computer for what else might need to be done to help them move in. Poke around a bit and look for clues.
Crusading the benefits of Free Software and Tux the Penguin has plenty of details which are less than pleasant, but finding a person who finally "gets it" makes doing so worthwhile. Changing operating systems is a lot of work. Being the friend or coworker tech who helps someone work through it all takes time and effort, but changing the world sometimes must be done one person at a time.
Choosing a distribution must be done carefully. There are hundreds of them, but only a handful are truly suitable for beginners. While popularity should not be the deciding factor, it should be considered. Support from the community cannot replace personal help, it will reduce long-term dependence. It also will make finding niche software less difficult. Choosing from something from the top 20 entries on DistroWatch.com could be a good guide, but target audience also matters. For example, Arch Linux or FreeBSD would generally not be good choices. On the other hand, ElementaryOS, Linux Mint, OpenSUSE, Mageia, or Ubuntu could be wonderful ways to start.
Like operating systems, desktop environments have long been the source of many a flamewar. The workflow and underlying philosophy for a particular desktop environment should be considered. For example, KDE is definitely for someone who wants to have fine-grained control over the way she works. LXDE is good for slower machines, but it is also good those who prefer minimalism and speed. Unity and GNOME are great despite being different from the traditional desktop. XFCE, MATE, and Cinnamon are all good for making an easy transition from Windows without being slow or excessively shiny. Choose what fits best for the person's situation.
Despite the challenges that Secure Boot and EFI have brought to modern Linux computing, dual-booting is still one of the best ways to gradually make the transition from Windows. Pay careful attention to detail when doing so. Documents should be available from either operating system without excessive work to save or open them from either operating system. They could be placed on their own partition, or you could replace the standard folders (Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Video) with links to the corresponding folders on the Windows partition. Login passwords should be the same. Wallpapers should be nice, but different. Using bookmark synchronization and an add-on password manager in web browsers is a necessity. Make it as easy as possible for the user to work in either operating system without creating any unnecessary barriers created by dual-booting.
Don't forget remote support. Use whatever product you prefer. Some popular cross-platform products include ScreenConnect, TeamViewer, VNC, and Chrome Remote Desktop. If you are only concerned with the Linux side of things, SSH and FreeNX are also good. The user will run into problems or have questions. Be ready to handle them without being a burden on yourself.
Go the extra mile and reduce the user's workload in getting acclimated. For example, remove programs that are completely useless for him/her. If Facebook is the major channel for communications, Pidgin is probably not needed. Put commonly-used programs in an easy-to-access location, such as the panel or desktop. Make sure that the software manager, such as that included with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or OpenSUSE, is also quickly accessible unless you would prefer to manage software for them. Automate tasks like backups. If nothing else, use CrashPlan to backup to your own account or install Simple Backup to do daily archives to a local hard drive. Once you have put the machine on-site, help them with getting their e-mail going. Be sure that printing is not a problem. Take hints from the Windows side of their computer for what else might need to be done to help them move in. Poke around a bit and look for clues.
Crusading the benefits of Free Software and Tux the Penguin has plenty of details which are less than pleasant, but finding a person who finally "gets it" makes doing so worthwhile. Changing operating systems is a lot of work. Being the friend or coworker tech who helps someone work through it all takes time and effort, but changing the world sometimes must be done one person at a time.
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