Dustin wrote:

> "Beauregard T. Shagnasty" wrote:
>> Anonymous wrote:
>>> A few years ago, I got sick and tired of worrying about all this
>>> spyware crapola.
>>
>> Me too! So I backed up all my data and installed Linux.
>
> You're not a technological idiot either, tho. Certainly not what I'd
> call a typical home user.
>
>> It was so refreshing not to have to worry about getting "updates" and
>> running "scans" all the time...
>
> So tell me something.. What can you do with linux that I can't do
> with windows XP vlk edition (so no product activation nonsense) and
> the millions of freeware apps out there? I'm going to play typical
> home user for a moment...

I can 'not bother' to install/update/scan with anti-this&that apps all
the time. There are just as many Linux freeware apps, too. Heh, all of
'em.

> I want to goto the nearest gamestop and get the latest 1st person
> shooter for my pc. How do I know linux?!? is going to run my video
> game? It says made for windows on the box! all my friends computers
> run windows. What the hell is linux?

If they feel the need to run Windows-only software, I'll wish them well
and remind them to keep their anti- apps up to date and run the scans
frequently. Or, if they aren't complete idiots, I might suggest to
install a flavor of Linux, then run their Windows software in a VM.

> Scenario two..
>
> I want to screwoff after school and chill with my homies on facebook;
> camming and IMing n ****. It's easy at school and at my friends
> house, but this linux~!?!? doesn't look anything like either of them.
> I'm lost. mine won't do it.

Facebook (a web page), camming (webcam?), and IM is certainly accessible
with Linux. The rest of your scenario two requires an IQ slightly above
room temperature .. oh, that might leave out a lot of today's students,
wouldn't it?

> If the typical home user does more with the computer than say a
> little web surfing and/or office work; what benefit does linux vs
> windows provide those individuals? How would you convince one of
> those types to give linux a try?

I'd bring a LiveCD over to their house and give them a demo. It usually
works to convince them, and we install it on the spot. And they all seem
to be very happy with the price.

--
-bts
-Four wheels carry the body; two wheels move the soul