As a programmer, i've found that NO OS ever made is without it's own
set of problems, but if you compare what one can do with an OS,
availability of apps, etc, the 'Windows' line is by far the better
product.
At this point in Vista's life, it certainly doesn't match XP Pro sp/2
w/NET 3.0 installed, overall fitness...however, Vista Ultima, despite
it's problems, and yes there are many...is the most versatile and
equipped OS ever made for use outside the "next-generation" lab!
Give it two years more...which Microsoft should have given it in beta
time to begin with...and it will put XP in second place.
As for Linux...have you ever actually used it as you expect to and for
the things you want for any appreaciable amount of time? Because
believe me, it does have it's own set of problems and doesn't even come
come to Windows set of abilities!
I think you mistake me for a OS Zealot - I've used Windows since it came
out, DOS before that, CPM before that, AIX and HPUX during that time....
I like Fedora Core X and build entire business solutions based on Windows
based servers and workstations. I don't advocate one os over the other, I
only advocate using a OS for the targets needs.
Many simple users could use Linux and be happy and secure, but, those are
limited to ones that don't need to interact with people using MS Document
products, don't need to play most online games, don't need to run special
software for monitoring/controlling their homes, etc....
I use XP on all of our system, have installed an tested Vista on 8
machines, still have it on one Dual Xeon machine for testing, but I don't
see Vista as viable for another 6mo or more, it's just to big a resource
pig.
I also have Fedora Core 5 machines that use Evolution to connect to our
exchange servers and it works reasonably well in Exchange mode, but it's
not Outlook. I don't really like PAN, but I force myself to use it on Win
and Nix....
We are not moving any customers to Vista until SP1 arrives.