[hblug] Computers with Ubuntu

[chris morris]

Donor systems would need to be of a minimum useful spec.
Say 500mhz / 128mb / 20GB
Even higher if they want KDE or anything to do with multimedia ( video 
etc )

Modems will be an issue, 95% of them will arrive with useless winmodems

Printers are always an issue, lots of the new ones just dont work on 
linux (canon ip-xxxx series for example )
Most of the new "photo" printers are rubbish on linux. Sure they will 
sometimes print ( just ) but the quality and speed are terrible ( read 
30min per A4 )

Things that would need "explaining" to the users:
You cant install any of the software you already have on CD
Dont buy any games etc from the warehouse or anywhere else because they 
wont go on linux.
Webcams wont work. ( MSN / YAHOO / SKYPE etc)
Your digital camera wont hook up - you will need to use a card-reader.
Your scanner may/may not work.
Making video CD/DVD on linux will require a BA in computer sciences :) 
(and more cpu than u currently have)

You get my drift.....
The above may sound somewhat cynical but its actually close to reality.
Computer support is what I do for a living and the above are all real 
examples Ive had.
Consumers get used to the drag-n-drop, point-n-click, plug-n-play ease 
of doing things in windows - and they will unfortunately expect that 
from linux as well...

cheers
chris.