Linux and Windows battle for netbooks

Conclusion is fallacious: Circular argument

The article has its moments, but ends with a fallacious (false) argument.

Clearly a circular argument is used: "these companies will go where the demand is - which just hasn't shown to be Linux.”"

The implied conclusion is that they won't go to Linux.

Some false assumptions.

1) Author Kobie claims that "Linux will suffer because there’s no real ecosystem of support around it, especially compared to that enjoyed by Windows."

I could not disagree more. In MEPIS Linux 8.0 there are three different support sites automatically built into the web browser, plus a user manual directly on the desktop. For the few times I had a question, this was fast, accurate, and solved the problems... all for free. I knew NOTHING about Linux before, used the Live CD to install, had internet access immediately, plus sound and graphics and apps and no viruses or spyware threats.

For all the years I used Windows, there was never such support and I am not aware there is now.

2) Author Kobie states "suggesting average consumers prefer the ease of using Microsoft technology."

Seriously... is she serious? this obviously doesn't include the large percentage of end-users who cannot identify what a browser is or how it is different than an office suite or the OS itself. People who wouldn't know a context sensitive right-click if it hit them in their face.

But for the people who have that minimum level of comprehension, it's UNeducated to say Microsoft has a greater ease of use.

Granted... the familiarity is there, but only if you never change OS. If you decide to change from XP to Vistinki to Windows 7, that argument also goes out the window.

So we're not going to see people use Linux on a netbook or desktop in general because they don't use it now.

For the dozens of computer neophyte friends I've helped switch over to MEPIS Linux 8.0, why are they happy? Why don't they want to switch back? Why have they told their friends and now their friends want to switch too?

Because fallacious arguments are false.

The true reasons for slow adaptation are:
1) EDUCATING people about these issues.
2) DECENTRALIZED open source community with no advertising budget.
3) Lack of "bully tactics" as compared to the M$ way with vendors.

Of course Linux isn't for everybody.

Neither is MS.
Neither is Apple.
But for many people, quite a shocking percentage in fact, having a hassle free, no-bloatware, no-spyware, no-virus, centralized simple updates, full and mature included applications...

This is far better than paying for constant hassles, BSOD, and paying for it besides!

By SunMan on Monday Jun 8