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For me, I don't feel that Linux (the kernel and the desktop enviroment(s)) is really lacking anything that would prevent me from crossing over. However, as many of you already know, I am into music making and a few other 'specialized' tasks and so I think it will be awhile yet before I can switch, because many of the apps I need are simply not up to par in Linux or missing altogether. However, after trying Knoppix 3.2, Redhat 9, Slackware 9, with Mandrake 9.1 & Suse 8.2 on deck, I know what kind of power is there and it's something I want. However, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the apps.

As for your 'normal' average every day computer-illiterate Windows user, I don't think the incentive is there for them to even try Linux. I'm not saying that there is not a benefit, but simply that they don't see it. I mean, you might think that DRM, product activation, spyware, etc are all good reasons to switch, but most Joe Users don't even know what those things are. And when they get nailed with a virus, they usually figure it's their own fault for not updating (or even running) their virus scanner. Not saying that this logic is RIGHT, just the way things are.

And a lot of people say that users need to change to adopt to Linux. Well, uhhh ... I'm sorry to break the news to you, but that's not going to happen. Some users will indeed 'adapt' (as some have), but most won't. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can stop with this fantasy of a Debian or Slackware-like Linux distro ruling the roost. Some guy earlier in the thread was praising Linux because you could edit config files et al. Most people that just want the machine to work would ask them what they were smoking.

If you say "Well, some people used DOS or even CP/M back in the days ...." to that I say that people also used to solder their computers together and program from punch cards. The difference is that now, they don't have to. I also know that some of you think that since computers are such powerful machines, then they should be needless complicated and out of the reach of most people who would never take the time to learn a complicated machine, which is something I have personally never understood because simplicity doesn't always mean a lack of power. I mean, imagine being able to just tell your computer that you wanted to upgrade to the newest version of Mozilla, and it does it. That certainly seems a lot easier and a lot more powerful than 'apt-get' or 'rpm -ivh whatever ...'