On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 09:55:50 -0600 (CST) "Matt Wagner" <mwagner at mysql.com> wrote: > Many "gurus" teaching new users about Linux make it look harder than > it needs to be, and apparently fail to explain that yes, you can make > PowerPoint-style presentations in Linux, you can view Web Pages that > use Flash animation and other "glitz" features, and that you can > manage all your files though simple "point, click, drag and drop" > visual interfaces. (lightly editied stream of conciousness... beware) I'm not sure how helpful this line of thought actually is. Yes, you can do most of these things in Linux, but for the most part, you can do them more easily and with better support and integration under Windows. If we are trying to tell Windows users "Look, you can do almost everything you want, almost as well as in Windows" I don't think that we will be winning too many new converts. Until Microsoft is forced from their monopolistic fortress, we as Linux users will still be using b-grade knockoffs of popular daily-driver Windows softwares. That is harsh, but it's reality. I don't have a 1GB vmware installation because I think it's a neat idea. I have it, because sometimes, I just simply need Windows. Word, Excel, Photoshop, Dreamweaver etc etc. And the MS OS/software bundling strategy has certainly made the road difficult for everyone else. It's hard to sell someone on the 'free' nature of Linux, when they have already unwittingly purchased a copy of a Microsoft operating system when they got that new PC. I don't throw my money away (well, only on drink), and I don't expect Windows users to be any more inclined than I. Sorry if I'm such the devil's advocate here, but I really feel the need to refine and focus the lines of thought into more productive patterns. -.bill.layer.- .-frogtown.mn.usa.- .-Microsoft.Windows.XP.- -.suddenly.everything.sucks-.