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Strategies & Market Trends : The Epic American Credit and Bond Bubble Laboratory -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: UncleBigs who wrote (51952)	1/29/2006 3:22:46 PM
From: benwood	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 110194

I already have two computers that run with a free, robust open source OS and a free, open source MS Office compatible app. The missing link to make Linux more accessible is far better support for Wi-Fi (I have to use a wrapper that uses the Windows driver) & better support for scanners. It already has free browser & e-mail client (Firefox & Thunderbird among others), great NIC, printer, and monitor support. Built in firewall, no need (yet) for virus scanner. So my initial software cost was $0 and ongoing costs each year is also $0. The wi-fi is a problem though, and it still needs far better support for inexperienced people. But once set up, it's simple to browse, e-mail, and print, like my wife does without understanding she's using a Linux computer. So my point is that Google will have to do quite a lot of development to bring Linux (or something new) to the mainstream. And Microsoft, while lethargic and self-serving, isn't sitting still and continues to seek ways to eliminate competition from open source OS/apps.