[dayglored]

>> Telling someone to compile the source, then edit some conf file isn't going to cut it.

> Untold millions of people worldwide have got the hang of Linux. Perhaps MS has turned you into a spoiled brat?

While I much prefer Linux over Windows, Tree of Liberty has a good point. Most people are happy to use "install wizards" and "setup wizards" and "config wizards" and what-not. Linux is working on it, but only Linspire is close.

I personally only compile from sources these days if I have to make changes -- otherwise I'm just as happy getting a precompiled binary and seeing if it'll run as-is. Which is most of the time.

ToL: have you looked at Linspire? I haven't used it myself (I'm a RedHat/Fedora fan), but Linspire is reputedly as friendly as Windows in most respects.

[Tree of Liberty]

I have, and while it's close to windows for desktop apps, I still run into the same problem with server programs, which is what I am to use it for.

My aim is to set up a transparent proxy and DNS server for my home network (four users), as well as set it up for file sharing and a RAID array for everyone to backup to. I figure it'd be easier to replace/upgrade hard drives in one system rather than in each person's individual computer.