I've just always felt like kind of a sucker, relying on windows, being led by the hand and kept ignorant of what's going on behind my screen...like the sig states, if I have to do battle with an *NIX install to get it to do what I want it to, then I figure I've accomplished something, if only learning a command switch or boot option. Recently installed Debian etch on my laptop (Pavilion zv6000, if anyone else out there owns one), which I rely on for work, but is entirely a personal machine, so if work has problems they can buy me one. Currently throwing down with power management (I always seem to be at odds with some sort of management), WPA support (the card works, I swear...), and idly musing as to why it was that Pidgin wanted to remove my Gnome-themes when it got installed...
--rather a linux noob than a windows rube--

Hey, cool little speech! Welcome to LQ and to Linux -- enjoy!

SV

That's a real keeper!!!

There is a high-ranking official in Brazil who got in hot water for calling MS a drug dealer---but he was right....
The "drug" is the false sense of security given by dumbing down the interface and protecting the user from all manner of boring details.

I am appalled at the number of people with strong technical backgrounds who cannot open a terminal and grab a file by ftp. MS is a significant contributor to this condition.

And how many users of Windows even know that there IS a terminal???

Terminal?? Uhhhhhhhhh, terminal???
No idea what you're talking about.

Welcome to LQ!

Well, I'm a newbie, and I don't know what a terminal is, but I think ftp stands for file transfer protocol. I have been involved with tutoring children and adults and have been dismayed by the dumbing down I see in what I call "Miss Education". So I really want to learn Linux and discover what really goes on behind the "Wizard of OS" curtain, and be part of the solution instead of the problem.

I had earlier switched from WinXP to Win98SE because it was more transparent, but I see now that I didn't really go far enough. With Vista coming out and being recommended (in theory) by all the major manufacturers, I can see that the ridiculousness has to end somewhere. I do appreciate the thought about accomplishing something. It's when you invest your personal time and effort that you see the value in something. So be patient with yourself while you learn. It will take time, but every little bit you learn will make you feel more in control.