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Sorry, but Phil has it right on. It's these kinds of replies that are severely hindering Linux because they don't represent 95% of the users out there.

Why is it that someone makes a false statement ("There is no help available when it comes to Linux") and I provide a correction ("There's lots of help merely a Google search away") you write to tell me that's not how people do it? Well, if it is the right thing to do, the answers are there, and it works then shouldn't people start doing it instead of whining? One would think.

From your reply, you clearly have enough time on your hands and the will to learn Linux. The rest of the world doesn't want to spend more time tinkering with something than actually doing the thing they were interested in the first place.

First of all, a Google search turns up answers quite quickly, and yes, I do have the will to learn; concerning many things, not just Linux.

As for the second part of the last segment of your post, if you don't want to spend any time and effort to learn Linux, then don't. Stick with Windows and quit trying Linux. Stiffle your desire to try every new "Linux has finally taken over the desktop" distribution and be content where you are because Linux will always be different and always require some up front effort on your part to use. To expect anything else is silly.

Most people don't have jobs where they can spend hours hunting down internet help and, when they get home, don't want to spend all their free time "working."

I have a job too. I am a manager over several people and am responsible for their jobs as well; it is very time consuming. I have a family and don't want to come home and work either. Yet somehow I learned Linux through hands on trial and error and Google searches. If you don't like my methods, don't use them. Stick with Windows.

Most of the world doesn't give a damn about how much work someone put into something. If it works, they are willing to show their gratitude with their wallet and/or their time. I didn't ask Ford how much time they spent improving my vehicle over the last model and I certainly don't care if someone spent 10,000 man-hours making something that still doesn't live up to my expectations.

I don't believe you wrote a review of any Ford products either did you? Phil chose to do so for Xandros. To not be thorough in his review of Xandros and give them credit where it is due is irresponsible. However, I realize that Phil is new to Linux, so I don't fault him for that. I just provided the information for other readers on this list who may be happy to know that Xandros is almost seamless when integrating it in into a Windows network.

Again, you make it sound like everyone has a load of time on their hands that they can whittle away on Linux or something else (apparently less important).

I never said any such thing. I didn't spend large amounts of time learning Linux. You pulled this assumption out of the private files of your own brain. Don't blame me for them. All I said is that whether or not Linux is ready for the desktop is not really the question. The question is whether you individually are ready to use Linux as a desktop or not. I am. You may not be. I believe my statement is valid. If you don't, feel free to formulate an opinion of your own. I don't mind.

For most people it's not like that. Work is work and not the time for a crash course on Linux.

I never said to do it at work did I?

And home life...well, there just isn't that much time there as it is. And it's not a complaint to say things aren't as easy as they could/should be. I may not like Microsoft or Bill Gates, but until a Linux distro can tie or beat the benchmark that they've set, I don't think defending Linux distros helps one iota.

Well see Paul, that's where we don't see eye to eye. I think that Linux has surpassed the standard set by Microsoft. Linux is far better suited for the kinds of tasks I use my computer for. What do I do? I write articles and stories. I write computer programs and web applications. I have automated many of the lights in my home through my computer. I maintain a web site. I watch TV on my computer. I sort and filter email for all the computers in my house on my computer. My computer is a firewall. My computer has not crashed or been rebooted in over two years. My computer is a jukebox of all my music which can be accessed from the other computers and the stereos in my house.

Another thing. Saving a file is saving a file. You don't have to learn what files are again when switching to Linux. You just have to learn a few steps to saving a file that may be different from Windows. Big deal. This is also where Google comes in very handy. You type "saving a file linux" and you'll most likely find your answer (or a variety of them). Are you willing or ready to do that? If so, then Linux may be for you. If not, then stick with Windows.

And for the curious, I work in a shop that uses everything from win98 to win2000 to IRIX to several flavors of Linux (SW and RH). Yet, at the end of the day, I use win2000pro at home. Why? Averaging time spent across all apps including the OS, I get more work done on windows than on Linux. Too much time is still spent chasing down command switches, editing config files, looking for ways around buggy menu systems, trying to guess where menu commands are hidden, and working out file dependencies.

Then is sounds like you are at home and happy with Windows. If you are content why switch? If Linux makes you unhappy, don't use it. At the same time, however, please don't disrespect those who find Linux to be as close to computing paradise as they can get and wish to share their success excitement with others. Everyone is different and has different needs. You may not be ready or willing to use Linux as a desktop. I am. This is why I believe the question isn't whether or not Linux is ready for the desktop, but rather individually, are we ready to run Linux as a desktop.

Please allow those who are undecided the opportunity to find their comfort level without having to wade through inaccuracies, anger, frustration, political nonsense, etc.