Linux: Why you should switch

[friedtofu]

Im running Debian on an older T42 Thinkpad.

Once setup with everything I needed to do for home/work its great, but I would NOT recommend this to just anyone who is already happy with their Winbox.

Doing even simple stuff just requires more work.

Try calling your mom or uncle or gf and walking them through installing CUPS/SAMBA so they can connect to the printer on the Winbox downstairs.

Or try walking them through installing a simple chat client. Sure its doable but what is easier for most home users?

*Windows - download GAIMsetup.exe(or whatever). Click it to start the install wizard.

*Debian -  Make sure to download all necessary packages
apt-get install libgtk2.0-dev libxml2-dev .......blablablablabla

download Pidgin source files
wget http://easynews.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/pidgin/pidgin-2.0.1.tar.bz2

Unpack em

tar xvfj pidgin-2.0.whatever.tar.bz2

Build it

cd pidgin-2.0.whatever
./configure
make

Install it
make install

Oh well. I love my Etch/T42 but I wouldnt start having people convert just because I hate Microsoft. And I still have a Windows box for PC games