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...when and only when a couple appropriate neurons spark inside the skull of an appropriate entrepreneurial computer manufacturer and he/it/they start producing a "ready to go Linux system" which comes with all the software people will likely need and markets the heck out of it.

As long as people have to choose to wipe 'Doze of their box and fiddle with Linux CDs, and getting everything to work right, there won't be much incentive for it to happen. But when a consumer-savvy manufacturer steps in, makes it all just work, provides decent hardware and decent tech support, and sells it all for less than an equivelant 'Doze system, we'll be getting somewhere!

I have written up a Proposal for such a system. Come on computer manufacturers, listen up!

Very good points.

Linux is ready for the desktop TODAY, but the average people aren't going to switch to it out of the blue.

What needs to happen is for computer vendors to start including Linux and a mega-boatload of quality Open Source Software (yes, it DOES exist), along with (optional reading) documentation that will get them interested in the included software. I have a proposal for such a system here.

It's really up to computer vendors, but switching users to Linux is highly advantageous to them, so I think you will see that happenning over the next couple years.

I don't know about you, but I only buy games if I want to play them. I'm certainly not going to buy a game to "support the community."

That's a very good point, however, if you're at all interested in the future of Linux I suggest that you give them the benefit of the doubt and buy it even if you want it only a *little*. If you don't want it at *all*, then by all means don't buy it.

Having said that, will I buy it? No, for two reasons:

1. I don't have much of an income right now and buying more games would be irresponsible.

2. There is only One true Immortal Sovereign, and I'm not going to buy a game that pretennds to put anything in His place! :)

Is there even any benifit to playing games on linux instead of windows?

Technically, probably not. But I believe it is utterly crucial that we keep chinking away at Microsoft's market share. We need more games on Linux so that more users will be able to switch to Linux. If people don't switch to Linux, Microsoft will rule the computer industry with an iron fist for decades to come, and that thought makes me shudder!

Eradicate Windows Now -- my new site that answers the question for you. :)

*If* linux on the desktop was suitable for ALL users, this entire dilemma would vanish, and the OEMs would have M$ over a barrel instead.

It *is*, today, and I'm completely convinced of that! It just needs to be pre-installed with a nice friendly distro and lots of good free software. (Exception: Admittedly some users need software that isn't yet available on Linux, but that group is smaller than you think, and as more and more start to switch that problem will be remedied in a couple years.)

I even put together a proposal for a Linux system for end users done right and would love to see a few computer makers take a look at this!

Linux is finally getting there. It is the LAST hope of the computer industry to avoid a perpetual Microsoft dominated future. If we value Freedom, Competition, and Innovation we CANNOT lose this battle. Get all your friends to realize this. If we are complacent we WILL lose. We have nice desktops. We have the applications (most of them anyway). We need more USERS.

Eradicate Windows Now!

I agree with the article, and just last week worked on a new site to, uh, "encourage" people to switch away from Windows, whether it be to Linux or MacOS X. It has a FAQ, link list, articles, and a directory of consultants who can help with the transition -- all of which could use additions. ;)

Check it out!

Just last night I was inspired to write an article describing what I think would be a great Linux system for newbies. It's not low end, nor is it intended to be, but it's designed to get users excited about their computer and teach them things that a Windows computer wouldn't normally teach them.

Check it out if you want! Note: it's on a site that I have no yet announced. Probably will in the next few days though. :)