Broadband for Oldies

BigTezza

I will look in to dongles and PAYG options but I agree that getting a good deal from Virgin would be simplest in terms of payment and them understanding what's going on. Having said that they've had the V+ box for ages now and my old LCD TV with Freeview built in and they still don't understand the concept of receiving the Virgin feed through a cable, Freeview through the aerial and nothing through the TV's analog channels any more!! Bless 'em. Why does the phrase "making a rod for my own back" keep popping in to my head............mind you I'm like that with Facebook - can't seem to get to grips with it and can't see the point of it!!

Thanks again people.

bob_man_uk

re: facebook

you get used to it, then they change it.... i now refuse to use it, ive been overrun by !!!!!s farms cafes resturants vampires and poker... its turned into a spam zone with nothing good in there to even look at

BigTezza

Too true. What annoys me is it tells me so-and-so is my friend which is something I don't need reminding of if I've known them for 40 years! I prefer good old fashioned email for keeping in touch. I digress.....I've downloaded Ubuntu and burnt a CD so will try that. Does all the software they are likely to need either come on the CD or can be downloaded from that central repository that was mentioned e.g. word processor, email client? Does it work without problem if someone sends an email or whatever that requires something like Adobe Flash Player? Sorry if these are dumb questions but I've never used the software before! It does sound useful though and if it'll help Mum and Dad get to grips with the concepts of a computer like dialogs, clicking, dragging, email etc without me needing to go more grey than I already am then all power to it!!

gonzo127

most of the software you are likely to need is included, for example open office is included (word processor and spreadsheet) a email clinent is also in with it (Evolution)

i would suggest downloading the ubuntu restricted extras package as that contains the none open source codecs etc but other than that should have everything you need

to get it go to applications - software centre - then search for restricted extras

also remember the ubuntu forums - full community which is willing to help with any problems you might come accross

BigTezza

Thanks for that - I'll give it a go.

Cheers

gonzo127

well hope you have fun, i tried it just over a year ago and havent looked back and now only boot into windows when i want to play some games (although Ubuntu does have a lot of games on it you cant get some of the block buster titles to run) and the rest of the time i am flying along in ubuntu

BigTezza

I was just wondering if you've ever had any problems with third party software e.g. ISP software, backup software, external device drivers or whatever and using Ubuntu has thrown the (usually) foreign call centre in to a bit of a panic because they ALWAYS assume you're running Windows?

gonzo127

personally never had a problem with anything, but as every there will be someone who will say they had problems with x y and z,

as far as drivers go use the livecd to make sure you have them for your computer components, and any others can usually be downloaded from the update manager, if there is specific items of hardware you know you want to run google it, if there are any issues it should find them, in a lot of cases there will be a 'fix' for which the community on the forums will run you through sorting it

as to software 99% of windows software has a alternative in the repository and once again if you have any issues the community will help you with it

all you have to try and remember is that you should replace the 'foreign call centre' for the 'community run forums' here http://ubuntuforums.org/ you will also find that they will usualy be more helpful than the call centre script moneys

Snooze

If you go down the dongle route, beg/borrow/steal one on the network you're thinking of using to check that there is a good signal before you go out and buy/take out a contract. Do NOT trust the coverage graphs on the provider's website as they are often wrong. Loads of people find this out the hard way and you'll have a nightmare of a time getting out of the contract/getting your money back.

Donnie

Don't even think of committing to a contract of more than one month.