[minnesota_bound]

The problem with Linux is it prides itself on being geeky. Microsoft sells because of a more user friendly look and terminology and massive advertising.

Linux Mint as an example is better then Microsoft (IMHO) but until Linux has an Office program that works well with others using Microsoft Office and can also support the Windows programs out there easily they will still be in the basement.

For me the documentation is pretty good as seen here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

If only the major pc suppliers would switch or are they blocked?

[RansomOttawa]

Linux Mint as an example is better then Microsoft (IMHO) but until Linux has an Office program that works well with others using Microsoft Office and can also support the Windows programs out there easily they will still be in the basement.

I use LibreOffice, and I've never had a problem opening, writing, and sharing MS Office files with Office users. Supposedly incompatibilities exist, but in however many years of everyday use, I've never encountered a problem.

In fact, at my previous job I used LibreOffice to create the MS Office templates for standard company documents (letterhead, invoices, etc.) because it was far easier to create consistent layouts. (By contrast, Excel still employed some weird, subjective column-width calculation at the time that involved numbers of characters in the default font).

Office can now read and save to OpenOffice/LibreOffice's file formats, which means Microsoft expects that a good number of their users have to share documents with OO/LO users.

[GeronL]

Using WINE and PlayOnLinux allows a some Windows programs to be used on Linux

[usconservative]

but until Linux has an Office program that works well with others using Microsoft Office and can also support the Windows programs out there easily they will still be in the basement.

Two responses:

1. Libre Office.
2. WINE.