OK, I'll say it ...  Linux is not for everyone. It is a complex highly
evolved operating system that is being developed by Open Source developers.
It is NOT ready for every desktop out there, nor for those people that lack
some basic computer skill levels or are afraid to learn new computer
skills. Linux is simply an alternative desktop operating system for those
who have computer needs that can be fulfilled by the software applications
that run on Linux or can be made to run on Linux.

What has been a hoot is watching the Windows Fanboys who look upon anyone
suggesting there's a viable alternative to Windows as trolls and idiots and
who have spread so much FUD about Linux. When they do that, I've challenged
them.

But really, yes, really, I don't care how many within the Windows community
gravitate over to using Linux. What you choose to use is YOUR choice and
you should be happy with that choice. But when users come on here and talk
about the difficulties they are experiencing with things like viruses and
trojans, or older hardware that can't run Vista, or who have relatively
simple computer needs, or are fed up with deactivations, and the need to
shovel more moeny at the problem, etc., etc. and Linux can offer an
alternative that is worth investigating, I've spoken up.

Will Linux replace Windows as the predominant operating system on the
desktop in the forseeable future? Probably not. Microsoft is the world's
largest software company, with billions of dollars at its disposal to
market Windows in a way that no open source outfit could compete with.
Microsoft, through its years of dominance and in some ways ruthless
business practises has been successful in getting its operating systems
preloaded on millions upon millions of computers. Users have generally had
little choice. When they purchase a computer it comes with Windows and for
the new computer user, their computer and Windows is the only thing they
know about and the only way they can see running a computer.

Microsoft and the Windows Fanboys have nothing to worry about that somehow
Linux is going to put them out of business. But in saying that, there can
be no argument that Linux has come a long long way to being more
user-friendly and for very many people, a real alternative on their desktop
to the proprietary offerings from Microsoft.

Switching over from Windows to Linux is not easy for many people who have
never known any other way than the Windows-way of operating their
computers. Using Linux, especially by those who have used Windows for a
long time, can be a confusing experience, as they expect Linux to behave
and operate like what they are so familiar with. Linux, does not. But for a
typical new users, who can get Linux installed on their computers, either
preloaded or with the help of a friend or the Linux community, the GUI
desktop in Linux is no harder for them to learn than Windows. In fact,
things like software installations is far easier to do under Linux than
Windows.

If there is software that one must run and it is only available in the
Windows world, then your choice is already determined - use Windows. But to
suggest that for the vast majority of typical computer users, Linux cannot
supply apps for them that will do what they need to do, is simple FUD.

I have used Windows for many years. In fact the first version of Windows I
ever installed on one of my computers was Windows version 2. I'm very
familiar with Windows up to XP and have spent years supporting Windows
users. I have also used Linux for many years also and can say emphatically
that for MY NEEDS Linux is so superior to Windows that there is no room to
argue otherwise. My familiarity with Linux allows me to do things with my
computers that bring power and stability that Windows just cannot provide.
Linux is a fast evolving beast that due to its innovation and ability to be
configured to do so many things, much of which can be very complex, is an
operating system that one must always be studying and learning more about
if one wants to extend it beyond the default installation. So, Linux, for
the inquisitive computer user, is an exciting and challenging computing
experience. It has the inherent ability to be scaled up to some pretty
fantastic uses. For example, making use of a number of Linux boxes on my
LAN to work as a cluster for transcoding video. It's not an easy thing to
configure and get running, but when it's done, there's nothing in the
Windows world that can compare. With a Linux cluster, one has essentially
taken a group of local computers and turned them into what is starting to
approach a super computer. The neat thing about all this is that it costs
NOTHING, as all the tools are there and free to use.

So in conclusion, Linux can be a viable alternative to Windows for those
who ...

* are running older hardware but want the advantages of running an
innovative and modern operating system on that hardware because Linux is so
tweaked to make the most use of computer resources without the bloatware.
Linux can be run on a simple router all the way up to the world's fastest
super computer and all systems in between.

* are constantly battling with viruses, trojans and other malware, not only
because they don't know how to protect their computers from the over
200,000 malware apps targeting Windows, but also because they just don't
want to spend so much energy trying to keep ahead of these attacks and
realize that the Windows security model is very deficient.

* are up to a bit of a challenge learning how to use their computers be free
from the restraints imposed by proprietary software.

* who are ideologically opposed to having a large corporation control how
they can use their computers using crap like DRM (Digital Rights
Management), phone-home activations, etc.

* can appreciate the power that Linux offers if one is prepared to put out
the effort to learn its power and to extend it.

* don't have the bank accounts to spend on Windows upgrades and other
proprietary software upgrades.

* believe that intellectual property rights and corporate control of your
computer experience is not your cup of tea.

* want a relationship between you the user and the developer of the software
you use as a true partnership and not just a commercial partnership where
you are nothing more that a "customer". The Linux community is based on a
growing number of computer users and software developers who believe in the
community of computer users free to choose and in that choice be free to
work towards the common good over the profits of the few.

* think it is neat and exciting to take on new and challenging skills and
see a future in the Open Source movement.

* want the ability to run a GUI application from your desktop on another
computer, either across your LAN or across the Internet.

Linux is not for everyone, but it may be for you.

Love and Kisses,
Doris