I think Vista uses way too much resources. You will NEVER customize as you can with GNU / Linux. Plus Windows is not secure, there are viruses every where which is not the case with GNU / Linux. You can run every Windows program on GNU / Linux, and anyone with little or no knowledge can handle with GNU / Linux. Linux is UNIX like system, way more powerful than any edition of Windows.You can run GNU / Linux (Linux distribution) on almost every device that has processor. I know this because I have OpenWrt installed on my router WRT54GL. P.S: You are asking in wrong forum. Most people here are using windows, because they don't understand what true operating system is.
I use Microsoft Windows XP SP2 now but if you want to work as a softer, try Linux. I like Vista because it has a great design and more functions but it has less frames than XP.
D_C,i read your opinion and I have to say I absolutely fully agree with everything you said! Indeed,installing linux for a 'windower' would be a great deal of compromise. He would stay with windows only because he needs to cope with your mentioned learning curve. And that is, I say,the main factor transfering to another OS. It is complicated.
Try Linux distro with http://www.compiz-fusion.org/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w you'll see the difference
It isn't that bad. I agree that Windows is better choice for people other than programmers and such but linux has bright future for sure. Believe me
The votes are almost 50/50 haha! Linux does have a future, but does that mean windows will be non-existent at some point?
Very true. He may don't know that there are tons of free Open Source software available in the Linux channels now.
There are tons of open source software for linux but not much of it that can be found and installed in the 'double click' way windows users are used to.
many more versions of software are being put in to deb files or have there own packages with most Liunx OS versions
Actually I find more easy and organized to install in the way Ubuntu Linux maintain the available software in the synaptic package manager. If the software is available, just search, select and click... done. and if not, add the repository (if the developer has one) and refresh the manager. Also like the rating system...5 stars, 4, 3, 2 etc etc. I admit 5-8 years ago installing software in Linux was a pain, but now it's getting more easy to install. The same for OSX, Download and drag-drop to the Applications, done.