^^^^^^^^^^^for several years before it was either easy or popular to do so^^^^^^^^^^
Don't take this as a flame, but being as this is a world of white background and text it's gonna come off that way......
Before it was easy? That being the case, why did you post in the first place?
The rest of your post, I largely agree. The one sticking point that linux has that the mac doesn't is that you are required to go out and buy another computer in order to run the OS. Linux will install on your existing computer and the end result is about the same. A well packaged, stable, easy to use system that has plenty of applications for the average home user. Office, internet, music/movie/media/etc, graphics, chat, cd/dvd burning...........
It's third party apps that are the achilles heel at this point.
To point out that I'm not inherently hostile to either Linux or the idea of using Linux as a desktop OS. The same reason why I mention that I have paid versions of Microsoft Office on my Macs. The OS wars are full of zealots. I have my preferences, but they are based on what's worked best for me and not on hatred of Bill Gates or because I think Linux is communism warmed over.
The rest of your post, I largely agree. The one sticking point that linux has that the mac doesn't is that you are required to go out and buy another computer in order to run the OS. Linux will install on your existing computer and the end result is about the same.
For a power user (or at least someone interested in playing with computers) , none of that's a problem. That's the other reason why I pointed out using Linux as a desktop OS before it was easy to do so. I'm well aware of what one can do with Linux but I don't confuse what works for me with what works for a computer-illiterate novice. I don't think the average home user wants to worry about installing an OS. If they've already paid for Windows on the PC, it's likely that's what they'll keep using. I think being able to buy desktop-ready Linux computers from a large vendor like Dell, Gateway, or IBM would give Linux a real boost in that market.
A well ackaged, stable, easy to use system that has plenty of applications for the average home user. Office, internet, music/movie/media/etc, graphics, chat, cd/dvd burning........... It's third party apps that are the achilles heel at this point.
I think OpenOffice still has a little further to go before I'd abandon Microsoft Office for it. Remember that a significant number of people out there want exactly what they have on Windows, not something close. In fact people who want their computer to work exactly like it does under Windows are often disappointed with Macs, too. To make the switch, a person needs to be willing to learn some new things. If they aren't, they'll be miserable switching from Windows to anything else, be it Mac or Linux or BeOS or whatever.