I do it all the time.

I try it all the time; whenever people ask me to fix their computers I tell them it's an issue only encountered in Microthought Winders, I explain why we should not use software written by the Evil Empire, I explain how stupid the windows design is (only one desktop? no cube? only one gui to choose from? $150?), but they just ignore me, and once I'm done with my rant, their computers are fixed again and they have no more reason to listen.

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I don't try. I tell people about the benefits of Linux, but make it clear it is not Windows and may not be for them.
Some people need Windows and others would find Linux too much work -- getting them to use Linux would do more harm than good when they tell people how bad Linux is and how nothing works.

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In this way you are correct. I do try, but I know that Windows 'power-users' are much resilient to Windows. My mother who knows nothing about computers caught Linux fine, and another friend who just uses the computer to download music/videos also had an easy time.

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I did try to convert my mother, but she uses programs which either would not work under Linux or would be too much hassle for her to do so. Then there's her phone, which wouldn't show up under Linux properly if at all.
Similar with a friend, couldn't get her to use Linux because she just had to have an iPhone and whilst I could perhaps have got her music working other features of iTunes mean she's tied to Windows for that.
Another friend, however, embraced Linux because it allows him to record and produce his own music -- something which would be more costly and more hassle under Windows. He then installed Linux on another friend's computer because it had Windows 98 or ME on it and needed a newer OS -- the other guy likes Ubuntu and moans about Windows now.
choosing Linux does mean missing out on some things -- it just depends what people want to do with their machine. I would only recommend Linux when I know the person understands that there will be things which will not work and other things which will take more effort to get working than Windows.
A bit off topic but I think it's slightly relevant: The person who got me into Linux now uses Macs exclusively for personal use. This is a guy who used to use Slackware, Gentoo and Solaris at home and who has always worked with Linux and Unix.

This looks like a good way to start a flame--fest. But we're all ladies and gentlemen here, so it won't happen....

1. You cannot convert or change people---They have to do it all by themselves, and then only when it is their idea (or maybe when the alternatives are really unattractive)

2. Proselytizing someone about the virtues (of anything) is almost always a waste of time. This is especially true when the person has no foundation for understanding the issues involved. Consider a typical Windows or MAC user + the environment in which they operate---then ask yourself how they would see any benefit in changing. If--for example--someone works in an MS environment, it could be a "lose-lose" for them to switch.

In short: "Do not try to teach a pig to sing---it wastes your time and annoys the pig."

Another perspective:
My wife is a prototypical casual computer user (web surfing, e-mail, and rarely something in a word processor.) The concept of saving something in a file is barely in place, but the idea of organizing files and folders is not. There is some hope of setting up an maintaining an address book in the e-mail client.
Guess what OS she has used exclusively for over 5 years?
If you get the right answer, then answer 2 more questions:
How did this happen?
Did she do it against her will?

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Yes you're right. Not a native English speaker, but I did use a bad term, so I'll change it.

Whenever a friend (or not) asks me to format-setup his computer, I ask him "have you considered using Linux?", and I have a good success rate
Usualy I install Ubuntu or Debian, which are quite easy to setup and maintain. Most of them thank me every day for making their computer work so fast.

That is a very good approach!!

Yes, agreed, I was actually about to post that the methods that work seem to be "You could do that under Linux free and easier than Windows."(The afore-mentioned music making friend.) and "You could buy Windows for this, but why not try Linux first?".
If it's nothing, pay for Windows, or Linux then the take-up will be higher -- if you're telling someone to install Linux on their brand-new Windows 7 machine then it's going to end in tears.

Actually, I'm working on it right now.

I created a video that tears hearts apart. I had no choice, corporations are killing me.

Is this a good idea?

I'm not much of a salesman. I have tried converting people to Linux but have yet to do so. I think it's best not to try. Let them know about Linux and it's virtues and let it go at that. Plant the seed. Then if one day frustration or some other impetus motivates them to try Linux they are doing it because it's their own idea and are more likely to spend the time to make it work for them. Think about how you started using Linux. Was it because somebody picked and picked at you until you tried? Like in the Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham"? Or was it because you decided on your own? I suspect the great majority will say the latter.

Yes: Plant the seed.
It's like Inception but without the excitement.

I just occasionally boot to Linux and "forget" to tell my wife which OS I'm using until she gets on the computer. She's learning to use it fairly well (Xfce anyway), but I doubt she'll ever truly like it. Oh well.

I did get her to like LibreOffice rather than Microsoft Office rather easily. She likes the UI of Libreoffice more because it's like Office 2000... and the fact we didn't have to shell out $100+ on software.

All the people I know with computers are "average" Windows users. If, while visiting, any of them notice anything "strange" about what's on my computer, I'll say: "It's Linux, an alternative operating system." If they show any more interest (very, very rarely), I'll go into more detail. If not, I leave it. Most of them have other hobbies and interests, and can't be bothered changing.