or to custmise Ubuntu:
instert Vista CD follow menus...

But the point of customizing is to make things better so I wouldn't recommend this...

I'm sorry "BluenoseJake" but in previous 15 post I still haven't seen a single PRO-MS guy!
So, where's Pro-MS crowd?
Looking for part-time job to get some money to buy new operating system just to start tweaking its GUI? No?

Or they simply don't want add more expense ( buying Visa GUI how to book from failed publisher ) after all.
Or they're just ignorant?

I fail to see any logic here.

First of all Ubuntu is not "the most bloated distro".

Second, why would somebody run Linux just for the sake of more complexity?

Third, there are many more reasons for running Linux, like Free Software, better stability etc.

Having used both Vista and Ubuntu, I'd actually say Vista was better (and that's coming from a *nix fanboy)

How exactly is Vista better than Ubuntu? Is it the DRM, WGA, Activation or the incredible system requirements?

Please, enlighten us. I for one can't even imagine what you are talking about.

If you were talking about about the lack of commercial applications I would understand, but then again this is the fault of software vendors not Linux.

2) I know of loads of people who would run a Linux system just because they can. It's typical g33k mentality to run an anti-MS OS.

Yes, but it only means that we are more aware of the many problems associated with monopolistic Microsoft and it's products.

I'd be very supprised if yourself (obviously learned in IT) doesn't have at least one friend who doesn't use Linux just for that reason alone.

I've run Gentoo myself but not "just because I can", but for it's (albeit geeky and often controversial) advantages over other distros.

Lately I've been running Ubuntu, mostly for convenience. I miss Gentoo though...

3) Plus I've found Ubuntu to be less stable as both Slackware and Vista and by default install, supports less hardware as both the other systems.

I don't believe that, actually...

Plus, as Slackware and Vistas default packages have all been tried and thoroughly tested – you know they have been included because they work.

You are kidding right? I've read so many complaints about Vista that I don't believe this for a second.

You can read about people having problems with Vista here, for example: http://aspnetresources.com/blog/vista_sucks.aspx

But what's wrong with it actually? Do you think we all should just bend over and say "thank you, Microsoft"?

1) Well Ubuntu may not yet work perfectly out of the box for everybody, but that sure as hell is the goal (of Ubuntu and many other distros).

2)In Vista you need knowledge to turn off stuff that does not improve the user experience in any way. This will never be the case with Linux distros (hopefully at least).

3) And how do you turn off unwanted bloat in Vista? In Linux it's just the matter of uninstalling the apps you don't need.

Why has a 'my OS is better than yours' war started in this thread, its got nothing to do with which is better.

more why pay a lot of money for a fraction of themes you can install for free with beryl,xgl,emerald,heliodor etc..

Personally I'm not the biggest fan of Microsoft either.

Judging by your comments, one would think just the opposite. Actually, I strongly suspect that you're one of the many Microsoft astroturfers... just a bit more clever one than the others.

1) Just as it is the goal for Windows Vista as well as every other OS other designed. ;-)

No, the goal of Vista is to make more money for Microsoft and its share holders, plain and simple.

If they find things that can make money without benefiting the customer they'll do it. Prime example of this is would be the ridiculuos system requirements which help their partners make more money by selling more hardware.

2) I had to turn off automatic initiation of the xwindows system in Ubuntu as I like to choose when to start X as and when I need to.

Oh my.. now THAT will bother oh so many regular Desktop users... not!

3) It's exactly the same on Vista ;-)

No it actually is not. Can you easily remove IE, Windows Mail, Messenger etc. from Vista? You can't? I thought so...

And even if you could, how much more disk space would you regain by removing these relatively small apps anyway? Not much naturally... So why, and for what purpose, Vista needs all that disk space? Nobody seems to really know.