I utterly agree that it's patronising to use a generic grandma as an example of a naïve user, and we should stop doing it.

However, I suggest that your grandma's long experience with computers probably means that she in would be especially displeased with the crummy state of the Linux desktop in 2017!

I just wanted to say I think it's sad you're getting downvoted. My grandma was also relatively computer literate. If we ever hope to reach equality in our line of work we need to think more carefully about the personas[0] we use, not because our grandmas care but because of how such descriptions affects the people who might one day fall into that user category.

[0] https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/personas....

See also https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11667485 .

Fair enough.

I just use the term because I'm "family tech support" for multiple grandmas. I'll avoid that phrasing in the future.

Thank you! :)