I take another approach: Never, ever look at my parents' computer. Last time I did I nearly puked on the monitor. I think they're still rockin' the Bonzai Buddy.
My mom can't use it, because she's on a corporate network that requires Internet Explorer. She's none too pleased.
A lot of people use IE because they can't help it. Then they think that using two web browsers in two places is too much trouble. I can't wait until corporations and schools switch away from IE entirely.
well you always have the option to lie. delete some files from IE, then when they ask you to fix it, bs them with tech stuff "sorry mom, but the latest auto update changed the drivers and now IE won't render"
then simulate trying different options to fix IE, and then give up and say "Sorry folks, you gotta use FF"
Why won't they? In my limited experience working with parents and the in-laws, they've generally been excited to use something that I positioned as better (even if it was barely founded).
My dad was pretty shocked how easily some malware managed to get onto his work system a couple of months ago from an ad on an otherwise legitimate site, despite fully patched IE and up-to-date anti-virus software. The anti-virus software did catch it, but only after it had made it onto the system. He got a mac and uses Safari at home now.
Heh, my mom switched in an instant, and my dad didn't even notice. She uses an older laptop (circa 2003~) and Firefox 3just runs so much faster on it compared to IE7/8
Leo Laporte suggested that on holidays we should setup FF on relatives' computers. I will.
But the problem with that (that I'd bet most of us have) is that you're expected to become the IT department. Being "good with computers", you end up doing endless bloatware uninstalls on their "slow" computer.
But just like spring cleaning, clearing junk from computers can sometimes be cathartic.
