this post was submitted on 09 Dec 2025
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My elderly, former programmer father is one. Too bad it took him 30 years after first trying but he is up and running now for about three months ๐๏ธ Now to get him off the Apple phone and into an alt android OS....
But, why? I can understand for you and I, but does a 50-60yo, need to shift from a platform they're comfortable with and can afford, just because their nerdy kid doesn't find it cool?
You're a little off on our ages, but your point still stands ๐ What is behind that statement is me seeing him talk about these things for so long. He was messing with OS/2 and some Linux stuff before Windows came out, but completely quit after about 1993. He would, however, talk about it.
He was the first of us to get a smartphone (Apple) and did a lot of tinkering with it then, but quit. I personally have been using Linux OSes for 20 years and even gave an old desktop of mine to fiddle with 10 years ago, which he loved!
He wants to do this stuff but has trouble starting his own projects. He has spent time with my phone, my computers, etc. If I lived closer this would be a great way to spend time together since we don't have a whole lot in common.
The reality is he is the nerdy kid who learned programming on punch cards and switched to that field in the 60s as soon as he learned what a computer was. He has always wanted to do "gadgety" things. He does have some dispensable income. I have enjoyed hearing him talk about this new nettop and the shenanigans he gets into with it! So much better than discussing the weather.
It takes a tinkering kind to truly enjoy Linux, sounds like your old man is one of us, go for it! ๐