Linux is about choice. If these people wants their Linux to look like Windows in order for them to effectively use it, then don’t you think we should give them the option upfront because chances are they don’t know that it can be done. By not putting it upfront, we are sort of limiting their choices.

Netbooks should serve a limited function than general purpose notebooks and the OS can reflect that.

I’m hoping by 2010 the netbook OSes can configure the experience:

– word processing and note taking
– internet station (i.e web use)
– single custom mobile application (like a sales app)

That is customizable appliance oriented computing. Windows doesn’t offer anything like that.

If the system acts and feels like Windows, then what’s the point?

Linux, after all, is all about a choice. Why not put the choice upfront because a new Linux user wouldn’t know he/she would be able to change the way Linux looks and feels by tweaking it.

Part of the problem with the Linux netbooks is that the distributions used on them have been customized by Linux amateurs to be “easy-to-use”, but in fact they become very difficult to work with if you want to do something that the distribution hasn’t been designed for. For example, if you want to mount a Windows share in Linpus Lite (Acer Aspire One), you need to drop to the command-line because Acer didn’t include Thunar’s network browser. And seriously, you have to edit a plain text file in order to add new items to the launcher!

I got frustrated at the limitations very quickly and installed Ubuntu. People who’ve never used Linux before would (and do) believe that it’s a problem with Linux in general, and either install their favourite obsolete operating system or exchange it for a machine with a 7-year-old operating system preinstalled.

Of course, the problem should go away if vendors install Ubuntu netbook remix and don’t fiddle with it too much. It really is the best netbook interface and operating system, so much so that I’m thinking of putting the interface onto my desktop computer!

I can’t agree with some of the “anti-Microsoft” attitude but it gets the message accross.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/asus-ceo-reveals-eee-pc-sales-numbers-plans-for-touch-eee-pcs-and-more-eee-family-products

I think the most significant point you make is about MS marketing dollars — and this story about return rates might well have more to do with that.

There is no doubt that netbooks gave MS a fright — they are battling hard to contain the damage.

I know several EEE PC users, former windows users who are more than happy with their linux based EEE pc.