I have a couple of questions about a customized Distro I’m making for my dad (sending him a USB to install it from) that’s easy to use (he’s always been extremely tech illiterate - he only learned how to use a computer thanks to Linux, but that version of Ubuntu he had learned on is over 10 years old now) and I can connect to via Rust Desk that has a custom icon that says “help” (using Mint 22.1)
So far, the closest to success I’ve had is using Systemback - it perfectly copied the system as set up.
But, there’s just one big problem - the installer.
The installer, despite being a GUI, is not user friendly. Not only are there a lack of instructions (making it unintuitive on what you need in order to be able to click “next” even if you are basically tech literate), but it involves manually partitioning the hard drives into 3 partitions - there’s also no “erase all and use the whole drive” option.
My question is, can I edit or replace the installer Systemback uses, for something slightly easier, or if not feasible:
Can I use the terminal in Cubic to change a program’s icon, move the panel (optional), and pin a program to the panel, as well as set up Firefox to not have AI, change the search engine, font size, and bookmarks, as well as install uBlock? (I’d install Librewolf, except that it doesn’t store browsing history by default, which he relies on).
is it possible that he can use something like puppy linux like distros (essentially live usbs, where you can make a persistent partition and make changes)? that way you can prepare a usb, and maybe teach them how to plug the usb in, and change the boot order to include usb? it would be slow (for boot times, if you use some faster usb, that would help), but does not require any fancy operation requiring him to open his computer.
Or if opening the computer/laptop and installing ssd/hdd is within scope, then maybe you can prepare a ssd with complette install, and just ship that. give him additional video/text instructions on how to open a computer, and install it. (In case their system supports ssds, then I highly recommend ssds over hdd, as they do not require special packaging, would be much faster, and ssd installations are also easier(detachhing and reattaching sata ribbon is hard imo, where as with something like nvme ssd, it is very close to like plugging in usb, and then just screwing or something similar.)) If their system is old, and does not have nvme/u.2 connectors, i would still recommend ssd over hdd, then you would also have to procure (and ship) an extra enclosure (i think they are called caddys) to fit a ssd in a husk, which after closing looks like a harddisk and connects via sata. these steps are tad bit hard, but if it is within scope, then I do not think their is a better option.
Shipping him a hard drive with the system is something I might consider too, since that night actually be easier for him to install with instructions then anything software. I remember that computer had a SATA SSD