Remember that little disk I gave you?

The LNX-BBC is a really cool proof of concept. For your friend, though, I'd suggest something less oriented toward technical problem solving. The [link|http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html|Knoppix] bootable CD is very much an end-user oriented Linux-on-a-CDROM distribution. It's not entirely prime time, but the platform it provides can probably be readily tweaked, and for all but the most computer-phobic should be quite useable and an excellent introduction to GNU/Linux

Point being, there's an "insert and run" version of GNU/Linux. Has KDE, GNOME, and WindowMaker installed. It's got OpenOffice (though the German-language localization -- one of the NQRFPT issues, at least in the US), and has recent browsers. What it does really well is autoconfigure for the available hardware. Thought it won't run X Windows on VMWare :-(

My thought: a plausible case could be made for setting up a system to update such disks on a regular basis. The OS runs from a CD (or DVD), local storage is, er, local storage. Lack of R/W support of NTFS is something of a PITA, but for the Win9x crowd, MSDOS/VFAT are well supported. Add some means to save local stateful data (eg: user configs), and upgrades simply become a subscription service that mails out a new CD as needed (monthly, quarterly, annually). Could be an interesting business migration-to-Linux model.

Went to Knoppix [chortle] Would that .pdf could be rotated! at least re English slide show. Will later read over the description for how the setup is accomplished, in more detail. Ramdisk! solves lots of conceptual 'problems', I see.

And you sure as hell can't plant anything on a CD! This certainly could be the basis for a *simple* set of tasks as I suggested - and assuming that Konqueror suffices for the usual grunt work. Mail client.. then too: several HD partitions, since GBytes are damn near free: backup all transient files periodically to 2nd. 3rd and 4th contain dupes of the original HD setup for file, data layout.

I'd need to get beyond mere up-to-speed to craft this, in any reasonable time re. the LA gig, but can envision it being a later: "forget all that toy stuff - this afternoon you'll see how to run your new bulletproof system. It won't need upgrades and it can't be hurt by the Baddies. You'll Love It!"

Having done this a couple times, I know that one can write a 'cookbook' for an actual novice to use - though this is always much more effort than just getting the system dejunked and configured. And with toy s/ware you know you have to keep at (the cookbook too) periodically. Hard at a distance - but it worked for a friend in IN, and for several years. (But ya only do That kinda work for love, not $)

With this approach, just maybe Once could be enough (!?) I agree that this is a legit marketing opportunity for someone - pitched particularly for people trying to do what we're trying to do. In fact it Must be because: it seems so obvious now that you've mentioned it! Natch you wouldn't start here and then try to morph piecemeal --> Debian, but the experience sure couldn't hoit.

Hmmm - the daughter sprechen Deutsch! Burning a CD with the OO-Engl. version substituted, can't be a very big step. Now if all the configs come in German too.. well.

Thanks for the ideas. I'd Hate marketing even a Good idea though, so it likely won't be me. Can think of a few IWErs who might just find this a pregnant alternative.. to Beastly employment [?] I'd buy stock !!

Ashton
who can't find the 'rotate 90\ufffd' button in Acrobat!

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