[Wlug] Getting your mom on Linux?

[Mike Perry]

Hi all,

I visited my parents yesterday and yet again my mother's computer is filled 
with spyware. Everytime I go there it is slower and slower and odd things 
keep happening (like icons disappearing ... I've witnessed this myself). 

I've been considering trying to get her onto Kubuntu, but I have a few valid  
concerns. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the following under 
Linux (any flavor):

 * Citrix connectivity -- She currently, and very seldom, uses an ActiveX 
control in IE to connect to her work. Are there alternatives besides using IE 
and Wine or running a VM?

 * iPod which is currently registered with her Windows box. I'm not too 
familiar with this, because my mp3 is not an iPod.

 * Printing - She currently has a very nice Canon i960 which can print photos. 
I less concerned about drivers and more about functionality. Her current 
Windows based software can print wallets, 8x10s, etc very easily. I wouldn't 
want her to lose that ability.

I know some of these answers might be a Google away, but I'm curious on your 
experiences with this and possibility any other gothcya's that I am not 
thinking about.

If I could overcome these hurdles I think she would actually have a much 
pleasant experience with her home pc. I've slowly been getting her to adopt 
open source software, but this would be a big jump. I also think it would be 
much easier for me help remotely too.

Cheers,
Mike