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I work as an IT administrator at my job, troubleshooting any little problem that could enter the user's mind. We have near-equal representation of the three major OSs (that is, Windows, Mac, and linux), and we have to troubleshoot them all. Now, as this if my first job in IT administration, I have gotten more and more into linux as a result. So, back in May, I took the plunge and installed Kubuntu on my laptop, and (like the manufacturers of Kubuntu tell you), it does seem to be linux for human beings. I noticed that the UI is very similar to that of windows (K-menu = start menu, with (In my opinion) better organization, as an example), and the learning curve was small.

The two biggest items of note for me (which pleased me the most) were the add/remove programs app, and the IRC client, Konversation. Unlike Windows, the add/remove programs app actually does install programs (I know Windows does it, too, but it is more commonly used for its 'remove' function), and not just any programs: you can install pretty much any app that suits your fancy. Don't like your web browser? Go here, and select from many. Need a torrent app other than ktorrent? Look no further. I have installed some apps on our linux server at work manually, and let me tell you that installing apps in linux by hand is no party, and finding the programs on the internet can be a pain. It is this ease of use that I look for in an OS, and I hope we see more of a shift towards such a distribution system.

The other app is what kept me on Kubuntu. The IRC client is auto-defaulted to the Kubuntu help channel, which means I get 24 hour tech support for free. Pretty much all of my problems were resolved by these talented individuals, and they were more human than some of the tech support people that I'm dealing with at work on a weekly basis (I'm looking at you, Dell *grrr*).

Now that I've said my obscenely long piece, please discuss your OS, how you feel about it, and why you might/might not switch to another OS.

Not even a make clean.

However, you can do it if you want, and apps like kismet still require some post-install configuring, for example.

Being parent-less, and relatively homeless (I live in a house with other people), I wouldn't pay for such things.

In other words, yes, it is free.

According to benchmark testing, WoW (as an example) is supposed to run faster on linux (via wine) than it does on windows itself.

Also, I am a Mac/Linux person, but I always keep up with MS, seeing as it is the mainstream OS.

AWESOMESAUCE
Canis is back, no wait, this topic is awesomesauce
Canis, thread, thread, Canis, thread, thread, thread........ Canis? *head explodes*