Yes I've read the notes about not starting a new thread on this topic. The notes say there are already threads for this topic. I searched and found four. They were all locked with less than 8 posts.

Why is this topic taboo? Anyway, I'll give it a try:

I really like the Linux idea. Free OS with source code open to anyone. Many distros available to suit any hardware. Applications are distributed as source and therefore can be configured and complied to suit.
I've tried Linux several times over about the last two years. Started with Debian, then RedHat 8, then Fedora Core4, now Ubuntu. Each time I was able to get everything installed and working correctly. Each time I gave up on it after a couple months.

It seems to me that Linux still has a long way to go to catch up with Windows or Apple. The two main problems are:

1. Applications- There just are not many good quality applications that rival what you can get for Windows. Examples: A replacement for Kazaa Lite. I tried Apollo but it falls well short. A replacement for XNews newsreader: none found that come close. A replacement for ACDSee and Photoshop: none satisfactory. A replacement for Soulseek: tried Nicotine and it was very poor. Winamp: used xmms and its just functional. The list goes on...

2. Too hard to install/use- Each time I have installed Linux it took several hours or couple days to get everything working. Compared to Windows install which takes me less than 30 minutes. Anyone who is not highly computer literate (90% of the general population) would not completely succeed (think of your grandmother). To configure and install additional applications is too dificult relative to windows. Even the best Linux expert cannot install apps as quickly as a double-click. Even after I learned how to tar -xvzf ./configure make install. Thats too much typing. Double click is easier. Users _do care about ease of use_. If the trade-off is ease of use vs. better configurability then 90% will choose ease of use.

I'll keep coming back to Linux and give it another try because I love the concept. But it seems to be coming up short for now.

I'd love to hear your replies but no flames please. I'm more interested in suggestions and counterpoints.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...earchid=354700 <-- just the ones with 100<= posts

This type of thread has been thouroughly discussed.

Still, I think that neither OS is better. It simply depends on your needs.

Thanks for the link. Thats what I'm looking for.

Windows v Linux threads always reside in the General forum. I am also at a loss as to why people come to a Linux advocacy site and then tell us that our choice of OS is not as good as te other offerings.

Anyway, closed.