The kernel that Mr. Torvald's created, the original architect, has come a long way in the last decade. With the assistance of hundreds of gifted coders, system administrators, and a multitude of others the little hobbyist kernel has gone professional. Kudos to everyone involved.

I have heard it said, "A system administrator's first principle is to simplyfy things. If a solution makes things more complicated then something has gone very wrong". There are some very un-simpified things regarding the "Redmond platform".

It is true the a paradigm shift just don't happen. I am often reminded of the allegory of Plato's cave. Most user's experience are at the desktop level and revolve around a core set of applications: a text, spreadsheet, or presentation processor, an e-mail client, a graphics image manipulation program, a CD-DVD ripper-burner, an audio tool, maybe a game or two, possibly a scheduler or project manager, and an Internet browser. Most of life's work can be saved onto one or more CD-Rs.

I, personally, am not trying to woo anyone away from the "Redmond platform". To come to the realization that I "do not need the Redmond platform" is an individual choice based upon personal experience. Some people are entrenched into their own learned behaviors and cognitive dissonance.

Maybe, as they grow in their computing experiences with the "Redmond platform" and the cost of "renting" it over time. They will calculate the cost of their rental. The myth of their not being enough application or drivers in Linux is old and out dated one.

Time, money and experiece will win out in time.