I don't agree with you completely, although you make a valid point. But the big question is why any user should have to invest time in learning the quirks of a new tool. This goes both for Windows and Linux, and all other OS's for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Linux fan, and have worked with Linux, but it seems that while the developers of Linux have done a great job addressing issues where Windows is lacking, they have not addressed issues where the competition is not lacking. For example, installing, configuring and using any OS should be as transparent as using a hammer, or a screwdriver. Perhaps it's time to move the focus towards usability instead of adding new features to Linux, find a way to make everything work together in harmony. Until Linux reaches the point where installing it is more comfortable than installing, configuring and using, other OS's people should not take offence when busy people don't have the time or energy to reinvest into learning a new tool which is not guaranteed to boost their productivity, such is the real world.
We can generalize this example: Let's say you are buying a new car, car A, and all the controls are different from the old car, no steering wheel, it does not fit into your garage, and it runs of fuel you have to make yourself at home. In addition none of your prefered groceries fit into the car. Although others are perfectly able to use the car, you have to ask yourself the question: Am I willing to invest the time to learn how to drive again just because the other car is different/cheaper/better in some ways?
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I don't agree with you completely, although you make a valid point. But the big question is why any user should have to invest time in learning the quirks of a new tool. This goes both for Windows and Linux, and all other OS's for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Linux fan, and have worked with Linux, but it seems that while the developers of Linux have done a great job addressing issues where Windows is lacking, they have not addressed issues where the competition is not lacking. For example, installing, configuring and using any OS should be as transparent as using a hammer, or a screwdriver. Perhaps it's time to move the focus towards usability instead of adding new features to Linux, find a way to make everything work together in harmony. Until Linux reaches the point where installing it is more comfortable than installing, configuring and using, other OS's people should not take offence when busy people don't have the time or energy to reinvest into learning a new tool which is not guaranteed to boost their productivity, such is the real world. We can generalize this example: Let's say you are buying a new car, car A, and all the controls are different from the old car, no steering wheel, it does not fit into your garage, and it runs of fuel you have to make yourself at home. In addition none of your prefered groceries fit into the car. Although others are perfectly able to use the car, you have to ask yourself the question: Am I willing to invest the time to learn how to drive again just because the other car is different/cheaper/better in some ways?