Capability trumps $compatibility$ other wise we would not have non-free drivers and so on!

I have (got it used and cheep) an original ipwn then put Linux on it and can transfer anything I want on or off the thing! Of course if I update capple$ software it stops working,,, gee I wonder why?

Nope

Germany_chris was making the same point I was. While Gimp might be as capable as Photoshop (at least for many hobby uses), it is not fully compatible, which renders it 100% useless for many applications.

Just because two pieces of software are equally capable, if they're not compatible then you can't just switch over because you feel like it. No matter how much I hate Microsoft, no matter how much I hate MS Office, I still HAVE to use it because that's what clients use. If I delivered a document created in OO/LO to literally anybody I work with, clients or sponsors, I would look like a fool and lose all credibility with them. The OO/LO compatibility is that bad. And pretty much everybody in the professional world is in the same boat, maybe not with Office, but at least with some proprietary software/format that locks them into the MS world.

Linux has no viable replacement for MS Office, iTunes, or a billion other tools. There are other pieces of software that do similar things, often in similar ways, but if they're not fully compatible they just won't do the trick for most people. Until Linux does have true, compatible replacements for these widespread pieces of software, people aren't going to make the switch (or at least not fully make the switch), since they'll always be tied to Windows/OSX for some reason or another.

Ties made of wool... puns in ten did.

Do you have any clear points to make besides cryptological statements implying insults to industry or commenters?

I realize it's an open topic; the OP brought up a question which some harbor opinions about and there are varying opinions. I'm just not seeing anything besides cut up comments and slang from you here. And honestly I'm not bothering to look up the acronyms you're using or follow the links you're posting because of that.

2. Local sync is not available. http://androidforums.com/android-lou...ml#post6518854

MS Office is slowly dying off to be replaced by Office365. This will alienate hundreds of thousands, if not millions of users, who now work on standalone systems and who will not have broadband for another decade or so. Microsoft is painting itself into a corner. The day will come when some of us will have no option but to use Linux. The past few software updates from Mac made me sell my iPhone and I work on a Linux laptop now. Perspective: http://androidforums.com/android-lou...ml#post6518854

Back (if ever) before (if ever) my comments went a little skewed... I would have you read Free as in Freedom (thought I had that link in this thread but it must have been another, it's in my blog under freedom #4, otherwise no skin off my nose.)

I'm not sure that's relevant to the premise of this thread.
Just because you (and I as it happens) value software freedom doesn't mean others do.
Freedom may be an argument for using Linux but it is not an argument against people's reasons for not using it.

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Cripes I can't type..

If? Microsoft announced it. Here's a Link, one of many

Well, that is good news, though it remains to be seen how they'll move to HTML5 since there's no DRM in HTML5 and DRM is mandated by most content owners.

Of course not. I'm well aware that everyone wants everything and at zero cost (eat cake...still there!) and soldiers want body armor that weighs less than an ounce and will stop a howitzer, but that's just unreasonable. Yes, people understandably have resistance to spending whether the currency is money or time and effort, but that just requires explaining the cost vs/ the benefits and letting them decide which is more important or more valuable.

When I first began trying Linux I looked for a way to use Agent Newsreader, among other Windows-only apps, because I was used to it. I was dual booting a lot. One day I decided to try to make the break and just not automatically reboot and instead look for native alternatives. I do understand that some, especially some professional applications have people more locked in.

I love Ardour but still have to sometimes reboot for Sequoia, but the frequency grows less and less all the time AND IT'S WORTH IT! It's not only worth it to me, but even to hardcore, never-will-change Windows and Mac users because everyone benefits from FOSS whether they know it or not. Supporting it, even to some degree, seems wise. Otherwise, not only will users be locked in, but the locks become unnecessary because there is no place to go.

PS and since a couple of us are fond of Sci Fi quotes in this thread, might I add "TANSTAAFL !"

I installed pipelight. Netflix still doesn't work and the installation changed the fonts on my entire system. Fantastic.

Back to the original question:
I have a friend in school, and he doesn't like Linux. I ask why, and his opinion is that Windows is better. I asked of he had ever tried Linux. From what I understand, he might have given it a few hours in a VM, and that's it. I have another friend who simply likes Windows 8. I feel bad for him, but it's his choice.

So to add to the list:

• People simply like Windows, and don't want to change.