Good advice.  Also, have him set up a login for you
on his box so you can ssh into it and take a look
around if things are really wonky.  Of course, if
things are *REALLY* wonky, you may not be able to
ssh in!  :)


D

* On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 02:16:44PM -0500, Derek Neighbors wrote:
> > While these OSes are user friendly to me, I feel they may be a bit complex
> > for a Linux newbie to install and would scare them away from Linux.
> > What would you guys recommend for a Linux Distro that is easy to install and
> > uses KDE or GNOME by default, and has a good variety of apps (email,
> > browser, Word Proc, spreadsheet, etc).  Ease of Installation and Ease of Use
> 
> Red Hat is now in my opinion easier to install than Windows.  I hear good
> things about Mandrake as well.  At this point I would think those two as
> the front runners for newbie installs.
> 
> > are most important, since I will only be able to provide phone support (he
> > lives in IN and I live in AZ).
> 
> I would suggest IRC or GAIM or some other instant messaging platform for
> support than running up phone bills, also this would give him a network
> (IRC) of other GNU\Linux users out there that are there to help when you
> are not around.
> 
> Also, lookup LUG's in Indiana and see if there is one there and if they
> have an email list he should subscribe.  This way if he has issues there
> are locals that could help too.  I really believe the power of GNU\Linux
> lies as much in the community as it does the operating system.  So getting
> newbies accustom to peer support is a big part of the 'experience'.
> 
> Derek