OSNews

So users being able to run any manner of arbitrary installers for random applications under windows, with admin privileges by default, is one of Windows's strongest points???!

This is probably the number one cause of b0rked windows installations, user sees flashy advert for cool new "free" software, user downloads and instantly installs said software, problems begin thereafter. And they wont stop at one such program, they will start looking for ways to make their system run better after the initial infection with crapware, and the obvious remedy is to install more of it that will clean their registry on a daily basis and search out problems, while injecting advertising supertitously and blaming other products for its appearance.

Under linux there is less choice but what is there can be pulled out of repositories very easily, give them Linspire if they absolutely must feel that software needs a price to have value, they can waste money on the click n run warehouse. The best option is to improve Autopackage and integrate it better with existing package management systems for power users who know what they're installing, and make APT and RPM repository access maddeningly simple for beginners, this kind of thing is already happening. Of course software companies need to produce boxed products for linux that can be had from shops as well, people do like to waste their money in this way and would be disappointed if they didn't have the option.