Originally Posted by Kaistar

Yo bootneck, would you perhaps mind giving your opinions on switching from Windows to Linux? I've previously considered Linux before but the fact that it does not support iTunes and I've a 160GB iPod kinda scared me away...

Oh yes it does!
Other then using it in Wine there are several other apps that can use iTunes including my favorite called Songbird.

TaZMAn

for the main post answer.
I think its all about BUSINESS!

What do you think guys?!

Perhaps because WindowsXP is too popular? Making people take a leap from XP to Linux wouldn't be the easiest thing around I believe? Even if high schools and colleges make children use Linux, it might be a little redundant if it's not practicle. If I'm not mistaken, most businesses still stick to Windows systems.

The trend will shift however, as people begin to get more and more aware of the benefits of Linux. Also... Perhaps it was just me, but my last venture into Linux made me feel that it wasn't too user-friendly. Because I have read of people that didn't have any problem setting up their Linux system at all.

(GETS ON SOPBOX)

Also... Perhaps it was just me, but my last venture into Linux made me feel that it wasn't too user-friendly.

I understand where you are coming from Kaister.

HARDWARE MAKERS are to blame for the difficulties you experience when something doesn't work right out of the box in Linux. They only make firmware and Drivers for Windows. Just look at any hardware software compatibility listing and you will see 100% Windows, maybe 20% MAC (though now MACs are a little more popular those numbers are rising a little), and 1 % Linux compatible.

Its a wonder anything runs on Linux at all according to those numbers.

But because LINUX IS USER FRIENDLY you can tweak your operating system with ndiswrapper to fool your hardware that windows is using it. You can tweak your games with WINE to fool the game manufacturer that you are using Windows. Linux is very user friendly, IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN HOW A NEW OPERATING SYSTEM WORKS. Big strides have been made in the last few years into making Ubuntu and other Linux Distros, just point and click distros.Heck, Kaister, I point and click to install software like Antivirus, Image editing, CD ripping, etc... in my Puppy Dingo Operating System that runs wirelessly, Runs flash and DIVx movies, and gives me 5 hours of battery life time on my 2 battery Amrel Laptop. All on 900mhz CPU and 256 mb ram.

The new 2.6 Kernels are way impressive for all the drivers they do come with. The new KDE Desktop coming out after Jan 27th is supposed to be way more advanced than any thing out there. Desktop choices are Amazing.

1, Gnome
2. KDE
3. XFCE
4. Icewm
5. Fluxbox
6. JWM
7. ELIVE
8. LXDE
Geez I can't even remember all the choices there are for how you wish to operate your operating system or how it works. I call that user friendly.

But explaining Linux, and don't anybody take offence, please, to a long time Windows user, can be like a sober man trying to take the keys away from a drunk man. "I caaan drrive, dammmmmet", its just a analogy folks, from a big dumb biker.

So far The only thing I can see that Windows has going for it is that it has a "MONOPOLY" on hardware vendors software choices and "Gaming" software choices.

(GETS OFF SOAPBOX)

Now off for some Drugs, Sex, and Rock and Roll. Happy Newyears.

Ahahahah!

After reading through what Roky has said, I agree as well. I guess for a moment there I just forgot about why I even decided to attempt at Linux to begin with. Linux IS user-friendly in the sense that you can practically do ANYTHING you want. Want a computer that's really TWEAKED to be an extension of yours? Haha. That's what Linux offers I believe.

I agree with what he said as well that hardware makers are to blame. Thinking back properly now the problems I faced were driver-wise. Couldn't find the proper drivers to make Ubuntu 8.04 run properly. Just wait till I can build my own mobo... or find a way to install Linux onto an external hard disk... lol.

Happy New Year everyone!

Kaister, I was just reminded of something and maybe you would like to check it out. This mobo comes with a internal flashcard with Linux already loaded into it and is not a bad mobo at that.
Tech ARP - ASUS P6T Deluxe X58 Express Motherboard (OC Palm Edition) Review Rev. 1.1

Hi Kaistar,
If I can throw in my 2 cents on this.
Linux is receiving more hardware support every day. With the economy in a slump you can expect to see even more hardware vendors supporting Linux as a new source of revenue.

The support that Linux already has from hardware manufacturers is amazing.
Asus motherboards, Nvidia Video Cards, HP Printers are just a few.
And there is hardware in which the manufacturer makes it clear they do not support Linux yet their hardware is used in Linux media systems as they make some of the best TV tuner cards on the market. That being Hauppaugue.

As for Linux being user friendly and easy to install? Yes it is as long as you do a bit of homework. Linux comes in many varieties and offers the user a wealth of choices as to what they can use. But you need to check their hardware requirements and what they support. The Linux kernel in it's pure form and current version supports plenty of hardware without any interaction required by the user.

But some distros or flavours of Linux may have modified kernels and are geared toward certain users or computers. So doing a hardware check is advisable. This is another great feature of the Live Cd versions available for many Linux versions. It allows you to try before you install.

I also believe that many of the concerns or confusion found in some users is the fact that they have never had to install an Operating System or the initial drivers as they were already pre-loaded into the computer they purchased.
I'd love to hear all the war stories about installing XP into a computer system that has Sata hard drives but no floppy drive! LOL!!
Linux has the Sata drivers available in the kernel image so during the install process your hard drive is detected and configured.

I hope this helps you in any future endeavors into Linux.
It's a sensible and straighforward OS that is user friendly.