[ Thanks to three55ml for this link.
]
“With all of the hype in the media about Linux, you would think
that by now it would be on every computer in the world. However, we
all know, it’s not. While the Linux community is growing rapidly,
there are still a number of drawbacks that Windows (and other OS)
users experience in the transition process.”
“One drawback of Linux is the availability of software.
While the avid Linux user has the knowledge to go out on the
Internet to search for whatever type of software they desire, the
average end-user does not. They expect to be able to go to the
local computer store and find Linux programs on the shelves, just
like any other OS such as Windows or Mac OS. While the number
is Linux programs on the shelves is very slowly growing, it is not
anywhere near the magnitude of Windows programs available. This
creates the image that such programs are not available, despite the
fact that such programs like StarOffice, AbiWord, and Applixware do
exist. If Open Source applications such as AbiWord were packaged
and sold on the shelves at cost of distribution, people would
realize that software for Linux is available and of
high-quality.”
“Even though there are numerous applications for Linux
available, there really aren’t that many of comparable quality and
usability to their Windows counterparts in areas which the average
user needs. For example, there is nothing for Linux that is
comparable to something like Quicken for Windows, a popular
financial application.”