See The Rabid, Psychotic Linux Advocate in It's Own Element!! Linux Sucks!! 4084

Your criticisms are inaccurate. using SUSE 9.3 professional, I was able to install on both my computers without a hitch, and it correctly grokked my various hardware.

The "problem" with Linux is that it gives you choices over every facet of your OS, from the colors of your windows down to kernel modules, drivers, etc. Windows gives you what you get, and if you don't like it, you're out of luck. Since you have no choices, you have no need for learning anything. And this is fine, for those who are satisfied with that arrangement. Most people, I believe, would prefer to let the computer or the OS do the choosing, and would be OK with accepting the defaults - or maybe, just having a few options that don't seriously impact the operation of the computer.,

You can have this in Linux. It is often the default behavior - at least, it is with SUSE and Fedora. These distributions install themselves, more or less, and if you choose the defaults, you'll be OK most of the time.

It is almost impossible to make a fair comparison between Windows and Linux, because almost all computers are designed to run Windows exclusively, and almost all come with Windows pre-installed. However, if you take computers that were each designed for their respective operating systems, Windows and Linux, then Linux clearly offers advantages in security and privacy. The software support isn't as good in Linux. Microsoft Office is a more mature product than Open Office, and much the same can be said of other vital software. Still, the Open Office suite is free, while Microsoft's product costs several hundred dollars, and doesn't come with the OS. When you add all the various programs you need to buy separately, Windows comes out to be a very expensive way to go.

If I were advising a non-computer person (say, a small businessman), I would recommend Windows, simply because so many others also use it. If he runs into a problem, someone he knows probably found out how to fix it; if not, he's still more likely to be able to find a technician who can fix it. As a practical matter for a non-geek, Windows is easier and simpler. There are exceptions to this generalization, I know. However, for a small (single person) business, Windows is usually the way to go.

For a larger business, one with a dedicated IS staff, I'd recommend Linux at least on their servers. However, my recommendation would be unnecessary, since this is already how most of these guys are operating, and the numbers are increasing daily. Microsoft's hoggish policy of now charging by the servers.

Finally, I'll note that Linux was never intended to replace Microsoft Windows. Torvalds originally began the project as a replacement for Minix that people are even arguing about whether Linux is "better" than Windows speaks volumes.

-- Personifiers Unite! You have nothing to lose but Mr. Dignity!