while i still consider myself a newbie, i've been using linux off and on for almost 8 years...not a very technical user, never recompiled a kernel, etc...just a desktop user, and a very verbal advocate of linux and open source.

i just wanted to share my good news: we've gained another user!

my friend, cathy, was a die-hard MS fan. scared that she would lose all that she wanted, all that she bought, etc...she resisted turning her MS laptop into a tux-top. finally, after carefully backing up her files, and keeping the MS-OS CD in reach, i convinced her to try slackware 9.0 - and, if she didn't like it, we could always take that step backwards and reinstall MS. but, if nothing else, she would learn something.

it's been three weeks now.
she's still using slack.

she is having USB trouble (no ext hub, mouse, kb, printer) BUT wants to....get this...figure it out herself! okay...maybe you don't fully understand what's happening here...she was SCARED...and now, she is intrigued, and not even frustrated! she's no longer someone TRYING linux, she is determined to get it all working!

and, what does she have planned this weekend?
that's right! her first local LUG meeting!

congratulations, cathy, on a job well done.
and congratulations, linux community...today you are one member stronger!

Great to hear it!

I am secretly plotting the introduction of Linux to my aunt's computer. She's still running Win95 and is annoyed at the lack of USB support; she made a comment recently to the effect of wanting to "get away from Microsoft as much as possible." She's thinking of moving to Win98 to get USB support going, and will have to backup/reinstall anyway, so maybe I'll spring the notion on her then... Mostly what she uses her computer for is ebay, email, and web browsing, so she may be a perfect candidate!

I've been trying to talk my dad into trying Linux, too; he enjoyed tinkering with it when he visited me once. He's a teacher in a public school, and there are tremendous benefits to be had (financially, especially) with Linux in such an environment. I keep sending him articles and stuff on Linux success stories in schools.

Anyhow, good to hear that another user has seen the light. Congrats!