On my Unbuntu install I don’t have anything that compares to polish and ease-of-use of Windows Movie Maker, for example, or even Windows Photo Gallery. Ubuntu is getting there (I’m looking forward to Hardy Heron as much as anyone) but the bundled software is still not quite there. It might be powerful but if it’s hard to use, what motivation do I have to spend my time with it?

I’m not a platform zealot at all. I use Linux. I use Windows. My next system will be a Mac. My own priority is for the software to help do what I want to do, not get in my way while I’m trying to do it. There aren’t too many popular opensource apps that help me with my own specific user history and experiences. They’re getting close, but not quite there yet.

1. You say weak, I say just enough features to get the job done to the satisfaction of the general user. As for buggy, any specific examples? I’ve had no problems with any of the bundled programs. Anyway, the bundled apps I mentioned are hardly in the same league as the tight integration of IE and the monopoly accusations that were well deserved with that “innovaton”. Besides, no one complains that Apple is perpetuating a monopoly because all new Macs come with the iLife suite.

2. I don’t consider my low-end 12 month old Dell laptop “insane resources” and Vista runs quite happily on that. Resource creep happens all over the place, Linux included. The last few major releases of Ubuntu have used more and more of my system resources. Why does no one ever complain about that? The only OS I know of that actually ran better on lower end machines with each release was OS X.

3. I know what I’m doing and my XP machine is quite secure. UAC is not aimed at people like you and me who “know what they are doing”. The power user can just turn it off. It’s aimed at people like my parents or sister whose knowledge of security barely extends past “don’t open attachments”. I’d love for you to tell me how UAC makes Windows harder to use because it hasn’t made it any harder for me.

4. I’m confused. How is file renaming “eye candy”? As for compiz, it has refused to install on my linux install the last three times I tried. Aero worked out of the box. I’d love to compare the two but how can I when only one works on my hardware?

I’d love for you to enlighten me. If Vista has been bad for you (rather than generically “bad”), I want to hear your experiences. Seriously.

2. Just because its new, doesnt mean its ok that it uses insane amounts of resources.

3. If you know what you are doing, using XP is secure enough. Making it harder to use, but “more secure” is bullshit.

4. eyecandy. Both makes the system slow and insecure. Take a peek at compiz for linux, and you will not be amazed by vista.

fuck capitalism. Fuck microsoft.