RE: CentOS for newbie's desktop? [Was: Re: Fedora Core ... problem]

I converted several non-technical users from Windows to Red Hat based Linux. My skating coach currently runs FC6 (upgraded from FC2 and FC4). I put CentOS on my wife's desktop. In both cases they like the fact that it does not crash and also the increased resistance to virus attacks and adware. I wrote up the experience with the coach and posted it at http://www.styma.org/LinuxForTheMasses.shtml In synopsis, you will probably end up being sysadmin for them. In my case, only I know the root password. I set up /etc/hosts.allow and port forwarding on the DSL router so that I can ssh in from either my box at work or my box at home. Nothing else gets a login prompt. I also set up the VNC module so that when they call for help, I can bring up their screen. This works less well under FC6 than FC4 (munges up the desktop as you go along). The biggest drawback is multimedia. People mail wmv files and mp3's and other stuff to each other. It takes a bit of effort to get this working under Linux. There are still a lot of sites which do not work correctly under Linux that I have not found a way to access. This probably bothers me more than the user as I do not like Windows to work better than Linux in any way. Hope this helps. Bob S. Phoenix AZ.