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The Mac community closely watches the market share and installed base figures, and if the Linux installed base passed Mac, that would be big news. But despite the predictions, I haven't seen any reports that it actually happened.

For U.S. retail store computer sales in September, Apple was reported to have a 6.7% marketshare - a big jump over previous reports. Gartner and IDC missed that prediction. Perhaps the figures you saw excluded OS products pre-installed on new computers?

I use Linux for servers, and it does a great job at that. But the Linux user interface is awful for the average desktop/laptop computer user. Frankly, it's stinks worse than Windows.

BusinessWeek is publishing an article tomorrow - November 10, 2005 - Apple's Growing Army of Converts - reporting that an increasing number of computer users are dumping Windows and switching to Macs.

I disagree. I got Ubuntu Linux and it's got a fine user interface from GNOME. I've managed to customise it with a few minor tweaks so it's rather like a cross between a PC and Mac in terms of its desktop. Perfect.

Linux is however for people who like to be able to customise their OS to a heavy degree - it's sort of like car enthusiasts who like to get under the bonnet and fix up the engine. Mac and Windows is for those who can't be arsed.

Regards, Ivan

^^^^^^^^The Mac community closely watches the market share and installed base figures, and if the Linux installed base passed Mac, that would be big news.^^^^^^^^

It was when those stories were fresh. But I doubt the mac crowd would want to draw attention to their losing of the spot they've had for years.

^^^^^^^^Perhaps the figures you saw excluded OS products pre-installed on new computers?^^^^^^^^

Nope. But I still wasn't talking about marketshare. I don't doubt one bit Apple's larger marketshare. But marketshare is short term. Userbase is total.

^^^^^^^^^^^But the Linux user interface is awful for the average desktop/laptop computer user. Frankly, it's stinks worse than Windows.^^^^^^^^^^

I disagree. Windows is always in the way with it's spamming the desktop of whatever icons are in the toolbar.(security center, AV, antispyware, auto updates, etc) Whenever another program has some sort of prompt it takes the emphasis away from your current task and puts it on the prompt.

The mac doesn't do that, and neither do the linux distros I've used.

As far as mac/linux, I just have a preference to linux. I don't find either to be more/less easier. Both have graphical installers off their respective CD's, and both have easy install algorithims...... Mac involves .dmg files, linux you use synaptic.

And I know about the growing converts. I'd encourage you to re-read post 1.