I'm sitting in my office with five desktops and two laptops (5 macs/2windows), so I probably wouldn't toss it either.
But most buy a new main 'puter every 2-3 years. I don't understand why more average users aren't switching by now. The guy in the example spent a grand - plus a nightmare and extra tech support. When you consider the extra security stuff and your time, hassle, worry and potential loss of data, I honestly don't think the cost reason is a good one anymore - unless you really don't have enough money to buy smart.
If you have the time and patience to learn a new and completely alien OS then by all means get Linux
I'm with you there. I tried it for a while. It's switching one set of techie time for another. The point for the average user is to spend time computing, not time being a techie.
I have been using Microsoft products since DOS 5.0, I don't store a lot of irreplacable data on my hard drive so security is not a big enough reason for me or alot of other people to start over again from scratch.
I appreciate you helping me understand my question of why people put up with all the hassle. It's the hassle and worry - time and trouble - that makes it, IMHO, worth it to start over. There are many, you may likely be one, that are technically inclined and experienced enough to keep their PCs running and secure without too much effort. Again, I don't think this applies to a great many who do not fit this description. The person in the story and many we've seen on this thread do not. I'm wondering why they don't consider the simpler alternative.
Starting over on a Mac is really much less painful than you might think. I've helped quite a few. The apps are much the same - email, browser, Office, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Macromedia, Quickbooks... very little learning curve and many find them easier to use.
And you trade all the security software, hassles and tech time learning and maintaining discussed in this thread for two simple maintenance chores. Your ratio of time spent computing vs. time spent maintaining changes dramatically.
Finally are there any good games available for these alternative OS's yet?
I'm not a gamer, but I believe the correct answer is "no." If you're a PC gamer, you need to stick with it, and be a PC techie. From my experience gamers are usually quite involved with the technical.
My question was about the average user, the large middle market that use the computer for internet, word processing, spreadsheet type applications. And I wonder if it isn't - besides the pain of change - somewhat of the frog in hot water syndrome. As long as the water gets hotter slowly enough…Lately the temperature has been rising more dramatically.
I really appeciate your response and discussion. Thank you for your reply.