Im not.
I run XP and Ubuntu because... well..

I am a firm believer that you use the right tool for the job, be it Linux,
Windows or a Mac (which I happen to be using at the moment). I have three
laptops in this house that dual boot with Windows XP Pro & Ubuntu. I have
two machines that are full blown Windows XP Pro, one that is dual boot XP
Pro & AV Linux and then this MacBook. Use what works.

Are you going to try Windows 7 ???

Yes. I just rolled out 40 computers
with Windows 7 Professional on them. I like to call Win7 Windows Vista
Service Pack 3. It is pretty good, much like what Windows 2000 was to
Windows ME.

I setup the new lab at the highschool this past summer with Win 7.
I like it. There are things that are still more difficult to do on Win 7
than XP. I will probably move my own system to 7 (my laptop --its my
backup) just so I can have more time on it but my main system is still
Ubuntu.

I teach mainly on 7 these days because the English have taken to it
after Vista.

I agree also, over the years I have used different OS's by choice, because I
liked them better than others I had tried or they fit the job/purpose. I ran a
totally automated OS/2 system that ran 2 BBS's and a networked Satelite Data
Feed, now I have been running Linux for over 10 yrs, different flavors.

At work we have machines that run Win95 (Laser Drill) and (automated part
brushing system), WinNT(High Speed EDM machine), Win95(EDM machine) embedded.

We also have a newer Laser Drill machine that uses WinXP for the user
interface, Linux for system control, and an embedded WinXP inside a controller
for the laser system, so this has 3 seperate computers to make the machine
work.

This also proves that there is a place / reason to use many of the OS's out
there and not only for a desktop.

The best part is you get to choose, and with Linux the cost of trying out the
software is very attractive, and you have many flavors to try.

As far as I'm concerned extremism of *any* form is bad news and the
truth is that there's a case for all sides so nobody is actually right
or wrong at all. I run Ubuntu because it's a stable, safe OS that does
what I want without fuss or hassle. Windows has its place, generally
on a poorly machine on my workbench - but hey, it pays the bills so I
ain't complaining

FWIW I've been quite impressed with Windows 7 and every time I do an
install I can't help thinking how much it's like Ubuntu - very little
needs to be typed in and all the hardware is detected / installed with
no need for running a second CD or downloading of drivers. I still
won't be tempted away from Ubuntu of course but it's not through any
evangelical crusade - I *like* Ubuntu, period !!

I've suggested Ubuntu to a few of my customers when I feel it's an
appropriate change and several have taken it up and liked it too. A
few didn't take to the change and converted back to Windows, but it
was their choice and at least they gave it a shot. For those that
changed back the number one reason was they liked the Windows versions
of Solitaire even though there was an Ubuntu one available. It just
wasn't identical and that's what they wanted to use again - sad, but
there you go and it was their decision after all which I respected. If
it lands them with a repair bill from fake AV infections or malware in
the future then so be it ( I do make sure they have protection but we
all know how easy it is for users to not keep up with this and also
click on something they shouldn't have ).

So when I hear the arguments raging about whether Linux is ready for
the desktop I just sigh and think 'here we go again'. Linux for the
desktop is already here but a mainstream breakthrough is just not
going to happen as the megalith of Redmond has the market well and
truly sewn up. Those of us who use Linux know what it can do and we
can try to expand the knowledge all we can but that's as much as we
realistically are able to do - i.e. nibble at the edges. The few that
have tried to take on Windows on their home turf have all come to
grief on way or another - Lindows / Xandros anyone ??

I use Ubuntu because of those reasons but also especially for the free
notion and have come to the conclusion that is one of the best of the
Linux stable.

I am the other way around, I see Linux as aping and playing catch up to
get way from the purist command line operation.

I love the idea of Synaptic and Update Manager for easy centralization
but still also like the ease of the exe. file install in windows.

I had an 83 year old who asked me to teach her how to use a computer.
She had seen someone playing solitaire and loved cards games. I said I
would be happy to help her out and hoped she would find some other uses
for the expensive hardware she had bought. She was soon corresponding
with family in Australia and receiving photos of grandchildren she had
never seen and then we installed a cam together and she never looked at
that card game again.

Yes Linux has it uses and so does Windows and all those new ideas
still to be born

I think the Update Manager & Synaptic have done the Linux world a huge favor
in ease of use and not "Frankensteining" a Linux system together.

There are differences between Windows and Linux that are easy to dismiss,
but which require Linux users to be more ardent supporters. Windows gets
lots of promotion in the media, paid and otherwise. Microsoft goes out of
its way to take shots at Linux. Linux has no other way to promote itself,
but by word of mouth.

That being said, sometimes we get carried away in our enthusiasm and it does
more harm than good, but we should not sit back passively or else nobody
will hear of Linux and laud its features and strengths. If we seems like we
are promoting Linux that is not a bad thing. If it sounds like we are
evangelising then we are likely over doing it. I am guilty of this and
recognise that tendency but it is hard not to be effusive after using
something for ten years and seeing all of the FUD thrown our way by mega
corporations with money to burn and nothing better to do. Why not pick on
the little guy who cannot defend himself? Everyone tires of bullies and
fights back in ways they can.

It is better than it once was when we called them Windoze and Microblows. I
hope those days are behind us and we can at least engage in meaningful
dialogue. Unfortunately the other side still refuses to treat us an adult.

Most Linux users still believe some of the lies being spread. That is how
pervasive it is. The main one is that Linux is stuck at under 1%. However
Linux usage is actually greater than MacOS and above 10%. As with any
statistic you can skew the results. The results are skewed by examining only
US stats where Microsoft and Apple have a greater penetration and to count
dual booters as Windows users, but not Linux users. Fairly derived stats
show Linux growth as steady and worldwide greater than the Mac, but still
small compared to Windows. Steve Ballmer knows this and has said that Linux
is Microsoft's number two threat after piracy and well ahead of the Mac.
What does he know that most Linux users don't and why do we continue to
believe the lies? Because that is that is the FUD that is still being spread
by those who do not want to take us seriously. We need to be informed and be
willing to counter the lies or else we will live in an altered reality
created by our opponents.

Linux is great. It is not perfect. It is not for everybody. But it is for
more people than just those who know about it now. Many have not even heard
about it and if they have it is likely untrue what they know. It has not
even begin to reach its potential which is why we reach out. We need to be
careful how we do it though. If I am over enthusiastic, please gently bring
me back on track, but do not expect silence.

I agree with you 100%
Microsoft is out to make money.
So, of course they are going to FUD anything that is not in their best interest.
They are just doing what ANY corp would do........

They all do it. The problem is we believe them and they do it because it
works.

I for
one would agree that Linux can do with its ardent supporters but we are
users not promoters and I was and am here to learn and help where I can.

If I use Microsoft I am not the enemy and would never want to give the
impression that I do not like Linux, a system that I have used since the
90s.

There are lies about Linux but there are as many or more about Windows.

Ubuntu via Wubi is suppose to be just like another program you can remove in the
usual way as other Windows programs, or is my memory off today? Hopefully, you
already copied to USB what was important and any bookmarks were saved via
Xmarks, etc.

Recovering from Wubi install=Google search string:
www.google.com/search+from+Wubi+ins\
tall&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide

http://linux.about.com/od/dist/gr/dstwubi.htm

http://neosmart.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5004
kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=3113011.0