Recommended Configuration for Parents

Question

Great Linux Desktop Experiment

I plan to give my family netbooks this year, and I would like some recommendations for how best to configure the machines for:

1. Linux Newbies (primarily Windows users)
2. Remote Administration via SSH & to remote dynamic IPs
3. Identical installs on 5 identical machines
4. Easy recovery ifwhen they break them
5. Recommended applications to install (Flash, etc...)
6. Copying settings/cookies/bookmarks from current machines to the netbooks, post install & setup

My goal for them is to provide them with machines for web surfing, music listening, internet audio & video, IM & Video Chat. My goal for me is to not have to support Windows any longer.

For #1 I am wondering if there are specific editions (of ubuntu or other distros) recommended for Windows users new to linux. Should I install a theme that is Windows (OS X?) like or would that make things worse since it won't be exactly like they are used to. Maybe a clean break from the old is best to get them to try new things.

For #2 I am planning to setup SSH on the netbooks & administration accounts for myself so I can SSH from home and fix/install/update their machines. One requirement for this is that the netbooks should update a dynamic IP service with their current IP so I can find them no matter what network they are on (if possible).

#3, Is it worth it to setup some sort of automated/mirrored install for 5 devices, or should I just power through separate installs.

#4, Should I setup some sort of kiosk mode so that with every reboot the system undoes any damage they have done and is back to a known good state? How would I handle letting them save some changes, but not others?

#6, I plan to set them all up at my home, then take them to theirs. Once there is there any way that I can plug up a USB cable to their current machines and copy things like bookmarks over to the new machines automatically?

Any advice or suggestions welcome.

Answer 1

1) Linux Mint or Ubuntu 10.10. I would not change the standart-theme. Dont use a "windows"-style theme, keep it simple!

3) I would prefer separate installs. It takes to much time, keeping them mirrored.

4) Its hard to damage ubuntu's installation. just dont allow scripts.

5) flash, audio-video codes. Thunderbird for Mails, ADBLOCK PLUS for firefox. Bling bling effects with compiz, screenlets, gloobus ... :)

6) You can export their firefoxbookmarks and import them on their netbooks. Thunderbirdprofiles-folders could also be copied and imported.

Answer 2

IMHO on a couple of the topics

1) When I have tried to switch folks with low level skills, I have found it easier to just make a clean break, personalize their desktop, install a few visual goodies and teach them the new stuff as they are ready. I usually start with an LTS if we are within a year of release (last couple were 10.04)

2) I don't use DynDns on a regular basis, but did set it up once to test installation and how it worked and remember both aspects being very pleasing.

3) If they are truly identical, I would be tempted to give Clonezilla a try. Again I don't use it on a regular basis, but the few times I've tried it (with ATA-USB adapters) I remember thinking it was really cool.

5) I always run the "Lucid first run script" from the webupd8 and get all the important stuff I'll need.