Will Ubuntu work out on my mother's computer?

Posted by PleaseStand on Ask Ubuntu See other posts from Ask Ubuntu or by PleaseStand
Published on 2011-01-08T08:35:57Z Indexed on 2012/03/31 23:42 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 173

Filed under:

Hardware

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wine

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virtualbox

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games

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accessibility

My mother had an old Compaq desktop computer running Windows 98, which she used for occasional Web browsing and playing cards. Recently, a relative brought up a newer computer; it ran Windows XP.

Unfortunately, the hard drive failed soon afterward, forcing me to reinstall the operating system. Not having the original Windows disc or product key led me to consider Ubuntu Linux. Will it work for mom?

Is the hardware compatible? (Check the history of this question for the full specifications.)
Would Ubuntu/Xubuntu suffice, or would I be better off buying a new copy of Windows?
Is her card game (Hoyle Card Games 3) likely to run on Wine? I believe the minimum system requirement is Windows 95.
Failing Wine compatibility, is running Windows 98 on VirtualBox an option on such an old computer?
Are there any equally good card games for Linux? She plays mainly Bridge, Poker, and Solitaire.
Is there any "Large Fonts" option for those with poor vision?
Is it possible to use a serial mouse?

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