The grandpa's story

My grandpa owns two desktop computers, one was upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7 when it ran out of updates, and the other was an AIO which was running Windows Vista. However, web browsers stopped offering updates, and soon some websites weren't accessible anymore. That's when my dad asked me if I had a solution that would prevent buying a new computer, so I naturally proposed to install a Linux distribution.

I didn't want him to be too lost about the change, and wanted something that was easy to use and update, but also lite to have a great experience. My choice went with Zorin OS Lite, but I don't remember if it was my first choice or if there was something else I took into account.

So, I set it up, showed him how to use the basics, and here's to a protected again computer. He seemed happy at first, but years later, he doesn't use it much, if at all. The nearly two decades old Sony VAIO has become too slow, even for Linux, and a mobile phone is good enough for most of its usage, anyway.

The dad's story

When I left for the USA, I gave my desktop computer to my dad, running Windows 11 back then, computer I got back when I came home, which doesn't have Windows on it anymore. But since he needs one, I suggested that he reuses an old computer I bought in 2014, less money spent, and less waste. The only drawback, it couldn't be updated to Windows 11. After some discussion with my dad, he finally agreed to try Linux as well.

This time I installed Kubuntu, because Ubuntu is a well-known distriution with a lot of support online thanks to a huge community, and with KDE Plasma he would feel at home, at least I hoped so. However, after a few days, when he was still testing the possibilities, the computer crashed, and there was nothing I could do to bring it back alive. Every attempts I tried to find a solution was crazy slow and they all ended up crashing as well.

We decided to buy a new desktop piece by piece, so that it would last a long time, and would be only what he needs, no more no less. Even after this terrible experience, he was still ready to continue with Linux, but this time I installed an other OS, Fedora Kinoite, for a few reasons:

• I forgot that I didn't like snap packages,
• Kubuntu felt unstable (maybe due to the old/faulty hardware),
• I wanted a system that I was also using, because I would be aware of changes, and it would be easier to help him in case of a problem,
• I needed a system that would be less likely to crash in case of a failed update.

A few months later, there are still things he needs me for, sometimes because an action is not as obvious as Windows was, other times because there are bugs that need solving, but I'm less and less called upon.

Conclusion

In the end, I'm sure Linux can be more widely adopted, specifically if Microsoft continues to prevent many people to upgrade there (not even that old) computers, and if it continues to require powerful hardware to have an ok-ish experience. However, not every family has a me-like or someone adventurous, so not everyone will try to switch since it needs a little tinkering, to overcome a few difficulties, and to undo habits. The most difficult might actually be choosing a distribution and understanding there are various desktop environments.

The Steam Deck is a great step forward for Linux adoption, as long as it is not killed because of anti-competitive practices one might use. It is also great to finally see European governmments wanting to get rid of Windows. Let's just hope it's not a temporary trend and that software will follow. There is still works to convince people and company to switch, and software to be more compatible, ideally without the need for Wine or equivalent tool.

Who will be the next person I encourage to make the switch?