OK, I've been crowing lately about why Linux has it "right", what's my basis?

I've been involved in PCs since about 1980.  Remember the TRS-80 (trash-80)?  Cute nickname, great PC.  A workhorse in it's day.

Still, when most users fire up a PC, they want to (in no particular order):

Email - Browse/shop the web - play a simple game (puzzles/Soduko/Crosswords/Hearts/Solitaire) - manage simple spread sheets or word processing - pay a bill or three

How do I come by this, simply put by being the nerd in the family for over 20 years likely qualifies me.  Additionally, I had a stint about 10 years ago selling home built PCs on the side, which does give an insight as to how folks want their home PC to function.

So I offer that a Debian/Ubuntu/Linux Mint PC is vastly superior to a MS Windows PC in these arenas.  Why, because if absolutely nothing else, they save you about $100 right off the bat.  If I gave you this option in any other system or item in your house, every time, the only response would be "Show me how you can..." the same as in [other system or method].

So folks, my comparisons:

Email is easy.  Every OS on the market has fully compliant email services.  They are a snap.  If you are into Thunderbird, it's the same in MS Windows as Linux.

Shop the web (shopping - airline tickets - travel).  Here, since MS has had to come into alignment with standards, this is the easiest step of all.  Web site standards means every browser fairly much works.  I have to admit, since I need my news, some versions of Linux need Flash Player installed, but it's worth a little effort to succeed in this arena.

Simple Spread Sheets or Word Processing or any Office methodology.  OpenOffice is excellent.  try it, you won't even feel a loss.  Save your output in whatever format you need for work the next day.

That's it.  That's the big issues.  The games come standard on both systems.  Some are better looking than others, you can draw your favorites.  Still, they are readily available on either platform.

Security.  Get in now before the rush!  Now, there is little interest in Linux, operating about 2% of the PCs in the world.  Still, running a PC free of virus ware and free of spyware really makes everything in life more pleasant.  There is little joy in Mudville when your PC is the subject of someone else's endeavors. 

And right off the front end, save the $100 for the OS.  IF you have to, spend a few of those dollars having someone walk you through that Flash Player install.  You'll have a faster PC, it'll be rock solid, and it will do everything you ask it to, no issues, mate!  Use the leftover bucks and throw a freedom party!  $50 goes a long way in beanie weenies!

What are you waiting for?

ezsurfer