I really WANT to stick with Ubuntu as my sole OS (mostly because of my
increasing frustration with Microsoft) - and there are so many things
I LIKE about Ubuntu - but I struggle with it.

I still can't figure out how to install some programs that aren't
available through the package installer. And some aspects of
networking have me completely baffled.

I am certainly not a computer novice, but I'm not an expert either,
and Ubuntu at times feels like it requires more expertise than I have.

I want an OS that can do more than the basics - which I understand
Ubuntu can do amazing things - but that isn't so complicated that I
feel like I need an advanced degree in computer science to understand.

In short, I need someone to convince me why I shouldn't give up on
Ubuntu!

The major difference between frustration with ubuntu and frustration with
windows, is there something a person can do directly about his or her
frustration with ubuntu, i.e. get invovled. The problem is that getting
involved requires effort that most people don't have time for and that makes
sense. Still people who are frustrated with Microsoft usually have very
little options open to them other than complaining to the authors of the
software hoping they will fix it.
On my laptop I too switched back to windows, but when I think about it, I
realize that I took a rather easy way out of my frustrations with ubuntu.
Instead of getting involved, I just wanted to get something working that was
working before like synching my phone with the computer.
It would have been maybe better to start working on the synce project and
try and figure out the bug myself and find out why it didn't work.

it's unreasonable to expect people to drop their professions and
go back to school to learn computer programming. some people already
work like 60+ hours per week. some people work three jobs just to get
by. ubuntu is becoming more user friendly, but it does have a ways to go.
making it easier and more user friendly is what will make it more and
more competitive, not asking people to give up their jobs or professions
and "join the team." that's not reasonable. some of us are already
devoting our lives to important alternatives, such as alternative
medicine and energy.

Now that is realy not true.

Of course people can fix Windows problems. I do it all the time.

Its not the software that stumps people but the complexities of of the
system that they do not give the time necessary to learn about.

We fix windows all the time, but
there's very little to fix, really.
I wanted to switch to Ubuntu because I really hate DRM, and I hated
that Microsoft built DRM into Vista. I also think Microsoft charges
way too much for the OS. I did not need to switch because Windows
wasn't working ... Windows worked just fine.
But I couldn't switch, as I already posted. The drivers I need do not
exist for Ubuntu.
And I can get involved and waste an awful lot of time trying to learn
more about Ubuntu while the manufacturers of various devices sit on
their hands and don't write Linux drivers.

I am only a newcomer to Ubuntu, insomuch as I have dabled with it for the past
few months.
It seems to me, reading through various comments both on this group and others
that if everyone who had problems, gave up on Ubuntu, then there would be no
point in the software writers devoting their time and to get a really workable
piece of software and could go about doing other things.
I for one am truly grateful to these chaps who develop Ubuntu and other
operating systems, it takes real brains, something that I do not possess, to
write and test software and understand all the various infrastructures and
protocols.

Gentlemen, I take my hat off to you.

I am sure that in time, software writers in general will write software that can
be used on numerous platforms as well as Windoze!!!

I hope Lisa, this helps to convince you why you should stick with it.

this is going to sound a bit rude but please dont take it that way.

I think too many people come to a OS and do just what George did: tried to
convince himself this was for him. That is NOT the way to do it.

When someone is looking at linux and they look immediately to WINE so they can
keep their windows apps - those people should STAY with Windows. And its just
this simple: windows apps are made for windows and while some will run on linux
through WINE, that is only a temporary solution.

I really believe if you are going to move from Windows to Linux (of any brand)
that you have to get into the linux way of things and out of the windows way and
use something that will feel different.

Its difficult. I know. I struggled - have and do - with certain apps but, with
change comes inner change - as in accepting something different. A different way
of doing things.

I must say I agee with what you say here but its not for everyone.

For me it is not Windows or Ubuntu its both. While Ubuntu is great I
would not relinquish what Windows offers.

With dual booting or twin hard drives both worlds can be great fun.

I dual booted for several years before I felt comfortable about leaving M$. It
is all about freedom. Once I knew that I could accomplish more with Ubuntu, I
got rid of M$. I am not looking back. If would switch, it would be to Apple....