I started using Linux because it seemed a hell of a lot more interesting than Windows. I pay for Slackware, a subscription of about £40 per DVD release. When you pay for Windows, you don't own it, you only get a license to use it. That's what goes against the grain for me.

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I decided to try Linux, because Windows was incapable of doing the work I wanted to do. Linux did it (and still does) perfectly, so I kept using it. Then I discovered the beauty of having choice and the principles of free software, which only made Linux more attractive. As others have stated in the thread, I would gladly pay for a good Linux system (We know which ones are good and which ones are not.), because it is a superior system.

Those who want to use Linux only because it is monetarily free, should not be using it. As kooru already alluded to, they bring a Windows mentality with them and have no desire to learn or contribute anything back to the community. (In other words, I do not care what those people think.)

and give up the minute there's work involved or they can't find a GUI to do their thinking for them.
What happened to "critical thinking"... has the world's brains turned to mush?

Newbies call the console "terminal" and DON'T CARE that there is a difference.
Must be "The Pepsi Generation".

I have to stop, I hate users.

edit:
Slackware makes me "think", hard.
Other OSs meh, not so much.

I started using Linux simply out of curiosity. I ditched Windows a while back. I've made a few donations to the distros I've used, so could hardly say it's been about money for me. But it has become a statement about freedom and just taking a different path.

I paid for my first Linux back in 1996. I had a choice of getting Solaris or Slackware Linux. I chose Slackware. I found out that the version of Slackware was outdated and that I could get an up to date version off of the net from an FTP archive for free. I only kept the outdated Slackware because it came with a book that taught you how to use the OS, otherwise I would have taken it back to the store for a refund. The much lower price for Linux compared to the price for Solaris was the deciding factor for me along with the fact that it was available on the net for free. Other things that I liked about Linux was that it was much more stable than Windows 95. Sadly though Linux was not ready for prime time in those days and I saw it as more of a toy OS than anything else. I just kept an eye on it's development and waited until it matured enough to actually replace Windows over the years which it has succeeded in doing. As for the freedom of speech where the source code is concerned, I think only programmers would really care about that. Average users not so much.

Thank you. Well, at least you're honest. This is another reason for that disconnect between users of different skill levels: many of the newbies can probably sense instinctively when skilled users like you despise them.

Fixed: The one thing you may not ask Linux users about, especially more experienced ones, is "which is better vi or emacs?"

Yep.
Nope. Users have no instincts.
That's an advanced skill that no newbie possesses.

Dear Newbie:
Yes, you ARE the first and only person in the entire history of the Internet/Linux to have "./configure" fail.

Search Engine. Heard of it?
Came out on Day 2 of the Great Internet Rollout.

Yours affectionately,
BoFH

I did not author any of my learned/acquired skill.
It all came from searching the net for answers, mostly through trial-and-error and careful scrutiny of
time-tested Documentation.

If newbies want what experienced Users|Admins have, then I suggest they do the same.

Avoid this person at all costs. Check your floor for water and loose wires. Do not touch anything metal. DO NOT go into his office and ask for anything.

----

Seriously though. Users are part of the job in HelpDesk. Technically they are the job. And, its not so bad, compared to the old days when there weren't GUI's. Just imagine for a moment helping a user that's typing in a shell, whose previous job was being a landscaper.

Most newbies probably initially like Linux, or at least try it, because it costs no money to do so. But will they continue to use it, and perhaps contribute something to a distro of their choosing? Perhaps, if they can do the things they want/need to do with Linux, and they understand/appreciate the technical merits of Linux.

Unfortunately, most are simply curious, and looking for a free version of Windows, without the problems associated with Windows.

I have contributed to Slackware by purchasing from the Slackware Store, and will soon buy a subscription, as I find it is worthy to do so. I would encourage others to do the same with their distro of choice.

This is true. I came from the era when everything was sourced and compiled. Users weren't invented yet, I don't think.

and don't get me started on HelpDesk and Tickets................