You are way out of date if you believe that Linux is not able to be properly maintained by an average or even below average user. Very few Linux users have to know anything about compiling programs or such nowadays. All they have to do is locate the “add or remove programs” section, which is just about as difficult as the same for Windows products, point-click-use. All the major distributions are quite simple now to maintain. The need for terminal windows is about as common as the need for an MS user to go to the “Start>>Run>>...” line.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about the major bane of Windows users: file corruption, viruses, etc.
I find I (and my computer) spend almost NO time (or money) keeping my Linux systems safe, and on the other hand my Windows systems need to have virus and spyware software updated daily (or weekly at worst) chugging along examining all files periodically, and those programs that are free bug you to pay them something.
Meanwhile, I even ran a Linux Fedora Core 3 system, hooked up to DSL constantly for four solid years, going to all kinds of sites, with no updating at all, and not a single problem. You try that with any Windows system! The very modest amount of time I spent learning the Linux concepts was paid back within a couple months.
Back in ‘98 or so, it was rather difficult for anyone other than a computer guru to install and use any linux. Five to six years ago, it was easy for an average user to install Linux, but was difficult to install and update programs. Now, it is just as easy for an average user to install a new Linux program as it is for them to do it in Windows. And there is a huge choice of free programs available.
There is a single problem now, and that has little to do with Linux: a diminishing number of hardware manufacturers still don’t provide proper drivers. If your computer and hardware don’t have one of those rogue manufacturers, it can be astonishingly SIMPLE for an average user to make the change to Linux. Some of the new Linux distributions are even being tuned to operate laptops as kid’s machines, etc.
And all this without the bother and expense and time of purchasing and maintaining a Windows operating system!
I've been using those package managers for a quite a while. They are not foolproof. Eric S. Raymond famously abandoned Fedora due to their problems in managing dependencies.
The problem is that Linux software is developed in a state of chaos. There are no consistent standards for applications or user interfaces. The quality of the software is highly variable.
The solution for making Linux into a first-class operating system for desktop and portable usage is for Dell to invest a few years and a few billion dollars in Linux research and development, as Apple did with Unix and Mac OS X.
We are offering Pocket System on USB flash keys ranging from 2GB to 8GB. They come pre-installed with the most popular Linux distribution available, Ubuntu. Check out our Products page.
Remember, both the CD and the USB stick fit neatly in your pocket or even your wallet!