you mention google searches but a) she had no internet and b) your assuming that everyone is as savvy as us. i know it sounds simple to google but to a lot of "normal" people this is simply not thought about.
you've really got to think about it from a non-techy point of view: i have a laptop. i switch it on and click on the W to right letters, the E to go to youtube and the envelope to check and send emails. i press the print button to print. oh crap an error.............
i think canonical and the linux community can learn something from this experience. something as simple as setting some icons on the desktop for the basics mentioned above even...
i definitely think verizon and every other isp in the world can learn something from this. the chances are the router was already configured to connect to the internet. all she'd need is a one-sheet with a clear diagram showing her how to connect it to the wall then all she'd need to do is plug in her network cable. it's because of these cd's they provide that most users think they cannot connect to the internet without it. connecting wirelessly could easily be explained in a few clear and simple steps over 2 small pages.
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you mention google searches but a) she had no internet and b) your assuming that everyone is as savvy as us. i know it sounds simple to google but to a lot of "normal" people this is simply not thought about. you've really got to think about it from a non-techy point of view: i have a laptop. i switch it on and click on the W to right letters, the E to go to youtube and the envelope to check and send emails. i press the print button to print. oh crap an error............. i think canonical and the linux community can learn something from this experience. something as simple as setting some icons on the desktop for the basics mentioned above even... i definitely think verizon and every other isp in the world can learn something from this. the chances are the router was already configured to connect to the internet. all she'd need is a one-sheet with a clear diagram showing her how to connect it to the wall then all she'd need to do is plug in her network cable. it's because of these cd's they provide that most users think they cannot connect to the internet without it. connecting wirelessly could easily be explained in a few clear and simple steps over 2 small pages.