I found this articla at http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastruc...92502026OPDTMS this morning.

If you are a former or current user os MSWindows, you might see yourself described, at least partially, in the article.

If you have friends or associates who have talked about trying Linux, this might encourage them to take the first step.

Pretty silly, IMO.

People use/stick with Windows for the following reasons:

(1) Fear of change. They are familiar with Windows and changing requires learning something else, which they are reluctant to do.

(2) Fear of loss of compatibility with co-workers/friends. This concern is certainly valid; Linux software is not compatible with Windows software in most cases; even the OO <-> MSOffice compatibility is limited, though good enough for most home users.

(3) Windows is best. It must be because everyone uses it.

(4) Perception of Linux as too hard to configure/learn. This perception still has some merit, though recent major distros have gone a long way to eliminate the problem.

(5) Perception of Mac as too expensive, and too closed WRT supplier. Valid, IMO.

Against all of that, Microsoft has become a really oppressive vendor with high negatives, and Vista is turning into a disaster.

the best way to quit windows, is to go cold turkey. Have someone that uses linux extensively install ubuntu on your machine. Then close your eyes and take the plunge.

In the world which 95% talk Windows you can not and should not take a plunge in unknown. But instead learn the alternative and make an educated transition if needed.

For most people (e.g. users) Windows are good enough: it runs Web browser (and it is there for you!), you could easily click couple icons on the desktop to run few applications you care about. To install anything is really a breeze, try your grandma to install new program on Linux!

And GUI, don't forget GUI. Who cares what is running under the hood, people don't mind taking few pit stops (reboots) as long as the outside looks shiny. Linux has long way on achieving even an illusion of GUI uniformity. Pity.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on a couple of points
I'm pretty sure my grandma could install a program on linux, easily because of programs like Synaptic, its not that hard in that respect, it takes about 3 or 4 clicks to install a program
Also have you heard of Compiz-Fusion, I'm sure it makes Linux look at lot nicer then windows

AceofSpades19,

I never heard about Compiz before, and I googled them up. Looks nice, but try a grandma to understand this: http://compiz.org/NVidia.

All ingredients are here to make Linux the best apple pie on earth, but we need good "Kitchen Aid" to mix them up, and a good backer to heat the oven to the right temperature. But we are on the way RedHat, Ubuntu and likes are trying.

Compiz-Fusion is installed by default on Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibon and a gui tool to edit xorg.conf, so she won't have to understand that :P

Both Linux and Windows have their issues. Most of the world uses windows because they are familiar with it. Many people still have not heard about Linux, But Linux is making great strides in reaching the public and i feel that they offer a superior product to windows.

I still say that the best way to quit windows is to just do it. Once a user tries Linux I don't think that they see windows in the same light anymore.

Or if they are still gun shy they can just use a computer that already has Linux installed to get the feel of it before installing Linux on their own machine.