There are tonnes of easy to use GNU/Linux distros. Mandriva, Fedora (I think), SuSE, etc.
Mandriva is roumered to be easier to use than Windows, only that most people are used to Windows and Mandriva is different, and, inheritantly, harder. And I believe Mandriva is easier to use than Windows too.
If we could convince people that Mandriva (or whatever distro) is as easy to use as Windows, and somehow get it to the OEMs, and write some
kick arse documentation (for noobs), I think that'd be sweet. GNU/Linux already has some class documentation, but noobs
won't understand it.
Like if there was a "Ditch Windows and get started with GNU/Linux
NOW" kinda book/site (I was thinking of writing some documentation over the Summer...).
That
is kindof already happening ATM.
I've gotten a few people onto Mandriva to the point that it's installed and ready-for-teh-noob. And the voyage
ends there.
WTF?
The only sensible conclusion I can think of is that they
think that Mandriva is not-for-them. And when they're asked to pick which OS to boot, they'll pick Windows,
all the time. Because Windows has what they need (seeing as everything (software, hardware) is
designed for Windows/Mac, and
rarely GNU/Linux). They need nothing in GNU/Linux. They might think they'd like it
until it's working.
I think in the next 2-3 years, there'll be
lots more people giving GNU/Linux a try. Some will take the time and
learn it, and stay and live happy lives. The rest may shrivel up and die.
What annoys me more than MS's monopoly on the OS market, is their monopoly on the Office market (?). I fail to understand why any sane person would prefer MS Office to OpenOffice.org.
WTF is with all the fcking schools/universities/EVERYTHING ELSE using MS Office? I just don't get it.
For example, in my school we pretty much only use MS Office in computer class. When we get on the internet, we use IE for browsing (WWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY????????). Next year I'm skipping those fckin' MS classes. Thank FUCK my year doesn't do them this year.
When the ECDL exam comes up next year I'll do it in OOo or nothing.