Storm tracking on Linux and verses MS

[Knapp]

> Other than a few niggling little issues I think Linux IS ready for main
> stream "Joe User". Things like DVD playing, MP3, Video...... All easily
> "fixed" once the OS is installed, BUT "Joe User" expects all that
> "right-out-of-the-box" as soon as he turns it on. In most cases these
> things are taken care of in "boxed" releases because that's what your
> paying for.

Last time I installed windows it was a major pain in the butt! I had
to install many upgrades and other downloads and drivers to get a
working system. Each install also took a lot of time because of having
to reboot over and over. And then you have to install all that other
software like Office and stuff. Is this still true?

Last install of Kubuntu took putting the disk in and answering a few
questions as it booted and installed. Very fast and painless.

Yes, I think this is true but it is also true that in many cases you
don't need to pay MS. There are Linux based firms you could pay to do
it for you. You can do this with Cononical starting at  $250 or with
Vista and friends for $275.

 (starting at $112 for the Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
for System Builders [DVD) (whatever all that really means?)  on
Amazon.com. But then you need to at least buy at least MS Office Home
$125 and Student 2007 Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007and Norton
Antivirus 2008 $38 ( for it right ?)).

I wonder which would give you more help faster with your problems and
is less of a headache? Also what features you would get with this
version of Vista is as clear as mud to me.

I guess one last point to be made is that back when I was young and
running Windows, no one I knew payed for any of their software and
from what I hear today that is still commonly true. So I guess both
systems are free as in beer for most Joe users.

Douglas