Here's a way. I have found that one big reason that people don't use linux or home devices [0] is lack of support. Now, given that jokes have been made for decades about computer support, [1] my best advice to people I meet on forums is to look around the neighborhood for a (trustworthy) computer nut who can diagnose things instantly instead of these 50-reply Q&A's, or some bastard getting you to install remote access software, which usually comes with malware by the boatload. But there just aren't enough.
You can be that person, with a gigantic opportunity begging for help.
> Around 500 million PCs are holding off upgrading to Windows 11, says Dell [2]
That's 500 million PC's begging to run linux. My brother, the least techie person on earth, did it, and after some initial consulting on my part for "equivalent" apps on linux that did what windows apps did (the 90% of daily use .. email, browsing, photo management) he stopped calling for help.
Are most of these corporate PC's? Maybe. So consult on the side.
And if that's too much for people to handle, "Drop it off with me, and I'll load up some cool apps" (and maybe transfer your photos (without snooping, or just explain step by step if said photos are spicy)). Can you be trusted? Well, in an age when nothing and nobody can be trusted, just establishing that improves life. When things are at their darkest, the smallest lamp shines brightly.
OR! Just accept old PC hardware, load up linux, and give it to people (kids, mainly) who can't afford new stuff, and throw in some get-started classes. Most distros come with built-in math and science apps that can help kids create careers.
[0] I worked at Sun when they bought Cobalt. The Cobalt cube was a home server (and classroom server) par excellence. I would extend that concept (currently, my secret sauce) and since this is more complex than your usual home router, it needs some support and "evangelizing." Given the increasing intrusion of surveillance capitalists and surveillance government, imagine the possibilities. Start with the pi-hole idea and go way beyond.
k310•2mo ago
You can be that person, with a gigantic opportunity begging for help.
> Around 500 million PCs are holding off upgrading to Windows 11, says Dell [2]
That's 500 million PC's begging to run linux. My brother, the least techie person on earth, did it, and after some initial consulting on my part for "equivalent" apps on linux that did what windows apps did (the 90% of daily use .. email, browsing, photo management) he stopped calling for help.
Are most of these corporate PC's? Maybe. So consult on the side.
And if that's too much for people to handle, "Drop it off with me, and I'll load up some cool apps" (and maybe transfer your photos (without snooping, or just explain step by step if said photos are spicy)). Can you be trusted? Well, in an age when nothing and nobody can be trusted, just establishing that improves life. When things are at their darkest, the smallest lamp shines brightly.
OR! Just accept old PC hardware, load up linux, and give it to people (kids, mainly) who can't afford new stuff, and throw in some get-started classes. Most distros come with built-in math and science apps that can help kids create careers.
[0] I worked at Sun when they bought Cobalt. The Cobalt cube was a home server (and classroom server) par excellence. I would extend that concept (currently, my secret sauce) and since this is more complex than your usual home router, it needs some support and "evangelizing." Given the increasing intrusion of surveillance capitalists and surveillance government, imagine the possibilities. Start with the pi-hole idea and go way beyond.
[1] https://www.jokebuddha.com/joke/Microsoft_Air
[2] https://www.theverge.com/news/831364/dell-windows-11-upgrade...