OSNews

I build Windows systems every day, and I would much rather install a consumer Linux than Windows. Linux is easier to do the basic install in most respects.

With Windows you partition the drive just as in Linux. (Linux does ask for a swap partition though)

They both if you want to format the partitions and with what filesystem. (can't we settle on a good one for the desktop?)

They both ask you for your language, timezone, networking, etc.

They both reboot and dump you on a desktop.

You have a small chance of having a good video card driver at this point in Windows. Many of the good drivers are included in XFree. With either one, you still have to set the resolution, color depth and refresh rate. If the video driver is not perfect you still can't get DDC info from the monitor and get the default, safe, flickering refresh rate.

Now Windows needs chipset drivers. Linux has almost always them.

Then you need sound card drivers. Linux usually has them, especially if the distro uses Alsa.

Maybe the network card was installed with Windows, maybe not. Linux usually has them.

You may need USB2.0 drivers for Windows. That needs a 100+MB service pack first. Linux has them.

Go through a few reboots and 40-60MB of downloads from Windows Update. Linux needs only one reboot and the updates tend to be much smaller.

Now install usable CD writer software. Linux usually has it already.

Now install Office on Windows. Linux usually has OO.org, KOffice or similar.

Now update Office from the net. Linux office suites usually don't need updating.

Install an antivirus program for Windows. Linux is an antivirus program.

Which sounds easier? Where a good Linux distro has issues, Windows often has a similar problem and then some.

Mutiny