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I don't understand why setting up mp3 and dvd playing ability is seen as more important that keeping your computer from becoming part of some bot-net. Mossberg recognizes in the review that Linux is better than Windows for security, yet he would send novice users to Windows? As if those novices who can't download a codec can keep their box clean?

What's more rough around the edges, a system where you have to do some tweaking or a system that spews spam?

And yes, I know there are plenty of people who can keep a Windows box clean, I'm one of them, but obviously there are a lot of people who can't. And I find it galling to see that a technical writer thinks hassle free mp3 playing is more important for these novices than security.

I'm also sick of the double standard. People are used to jumping through hoops to do certain things in Windows so much that they no longer think of these things as drawbacks. When mentioning viruses to Mossberg he'd probably (like most people) talk about how there are plenty of good anti-virus programs, and all you have to do is go pick the right one out, download it, set it up, tweak it to your preferences and make sure it runs at least once a week. Easy! Oh but with Ubuntu you have to go through all the hassle of opening up the package installer and downloading some codecs. Give me a break. The only reason people think this makes Ubuntu "rough around the edges" is because they're not used to doing it. But they are used to EULAs, product activation, WGA, Patch Tuesday and rebooting so these aren't seen as the hassles that they are.

Edited 2007-09-13 13:35