Wifi in XP is a PITA. 30 minutes to an hour for an install of an OS with no useful software is kinda crazy. Ubuntu is about 15, Slackware without KDE is 8 on my laptop.

And Ubuntu 10.04 LTS takes less than 10 minutes to install - and immediately recognizes my Wi-Fi card, even on Live Boot - something Micro$uck IckDoze does not have. Try booting an IckDoze CD, and you'll find an installer. Boot Ubuntu from the CD, and you'll have a full desktop! Proof of M$'s lack of recovery tools, built-in drivers, or built-in support.

About Wi-Fi: In Linux, support for Wi-Fi cards - about as many as you'll find supported by third-party IckDoze $hista drivers - is already out of the box.

M$ and computer resellers loves these types of people.

Seriously, what these people need is education and not buying too many anti-/virus/malware/spyware product one after another. Some anti products take a lot of system resources and can slow down a computer as well.

They need to learn not to open attachments and recognize phishing attempts.

Education is the key.

Although, Linux does not support my wireless (ether USB belkin OR onboard).
I wish it did.

Yes, it's a user error. The point is that the fact Windows easily gets ruined as a result of user error means that it is not "idiot-proof". Of course I wouldn't call GNU/Linux idiot-proof either - it's harder to get compromised, but still entirely possible to type as root rm -fr / instead of rm -fr *

But Windows XP does have some big flaws. One is that the setup asks for usernames to create, and promptly creates passwordless Administrators, without even mentioning the concept of Administrator vs Limited User. Running as admin is XP's default, and many people don't even know it can be changed.

Common knowledge often isn't. Many people let their antivirus subscriptions lapse. People think they're protected, and they're not. People think anti-virus and firewall software are what's needed to stay secure, and are oblivious to the importance of updates, avoiding use of IE6 and Outlook Express unless absolutely essential, and not running as an administrator. It's like having a guard dog, but leaving your front door wide open, your window smashed, and money scattered on the coffee table.

I am smart enough to not run any OS password-less.

Linux, especially Ubuntu and Mint, supports more PCI network adapters than USB or onboard adapters. I have had plenty of luck with my Linksys WMP600N Wireless-N Dual-band PCI Network Adapter. The only reason my netbook's onboard wireless works is because the netbook came with Linux preinstalled.

That's why they are refer to as Average Joe Users. They don't no any better.

I'll send you the informational booklet when I get it printed. ;^P
Including the drivers that don't come with it?
'Cause XP only provides generic drivers for some basic stuff?

Oh yeah, about the Windows XP colour schemes - most people use the Fisher Price blue default. I favour the silver. But does ANYBODY use the olive green? I think I've seen it like maybe once. Must be one of the ugliest colour schemes ever.

I can't believe that anyone would like XP's default WM theme.

"Fisher-Price" is probably the best description I ever heard of it.

Back when I was on XP, I would rotate the color scheme every once in a while...I used the olive green on occasion. I didn't used to think it was that bad

Also, I reduced the size of the titlebars, because IMO they're just too frekkin' HUGE by default. No wonder it got the "Fisher-Price" nick.

I used to despise the fact that if you wanted to have unique colors for your windows, you had to either switch to the Classic theme or install third-party software. Under most Linuxes, you can change the default colors and everything without having to install anything extra.

Ever since moving to Linux, though, I've tweaked Compiz/Emerald to my heart's content on both my machines! Looks virtually nothing like Windows anymore (okay, so my Ubuntu machine's setup might have a vaguely Vista/7-ish feel to it, but it's still nowhere near Windows IMO).

I like the green better than the others. 8^)

I also agree that the Olive color scheme wasn't bad.

It's just that the blue one looks really childish and cartoon-ish.

I infact liked the blue one.