If you wish you knew something about programming than why not pick up a book on C or C++?

The reason I use Linux is because in the beginning (before Bill Gates and Microcopy) software was swapped around at no charge. I remember the first time someone demanded money for software at a computer meeting, and it was Billy-boy. A lot of friends and I laughed at him. Now he charges $100+ for a known buggy OS, and gets it. As a personal policy I buy NOTHING Microcopy for my home PC's. But my customers want Windhose XP, poor soles don't know or don't want to know about other OS's. I'm not cheap, I purchased my copy of Red Hat and Mandrake. If Microcopy would put out a better, more stable, and original OS I would buy it. Till then, it's all Linux baby!!!

the more I read about Linux now, the more I want to learn c++ and I am determined one way or another to learn.

I want to help the community and to help develop something that I know I am going to use.

I think the thing is, if you can develop it to your needs then its worth while, not like microsoft where you get hype about a new product only to be dissapointed when you dont ge what you were exepecting.

i agree. linux systems are unorganized. linux developers are headed in too many directions. x, however, is the one program that seems to have a purpose for linux now that its developers are trying to implement hardware acceleration with it, but linux doesnt work with a lot of hardware simply because hardware vendors dont have enough confidence in it to give information needed to write drivers, because linux really ISNT headed in one direction, like say, windows, headed by a corporation. a corporation acts as one body. linux is headed by anyone that gets their grubby hands on it.

To be completely honest, because it looks too hard. Sad isn't it? Maybe I will, it will be my newest project (not like I don't have enough already ). That'd sure be nice to learn some programming, I wouldn't feel so.... I don't know, vulnerable I guess.

Cool

I too bought Mandrake and Red Hat and Suse and wouldn't have had a hope of downloading a 'free' version unless I'd purchased the commercial distro (The boxes) in the first place... I had to buy a new modem to use Linux too and I've spent more on Linux than Windows (Only ever purchased Win98)... I'm still very much a newbie but can chuckle when I first loaded Suse and tore my hair out... It's not about 'cheapness' it's almost ( it is a ) POLITICAL statement/Act to use Linux... I love the community and the exchange of ideas, Linux people seem 'nicer' and more caring about other folk than other distro users... Mac users are asses and Windows users are fools...It's common knowledge baby, Linux users are kewl...LOL

PS I'm still teething and using windows a little less each day...

Ok, I just want to say that I am cheap. But thats not why i use Linux. I like it. And it's fun.

I think if you really enjoy Linux you should at the very least support your favorite distro. I buy every other release, but I run my own web site with my own money, and don't look to make a cent. It's my small contibution to the community, but however small, it isn't cheap.