Rock solid but not easy...

[klorpet]

The current opinions, statements, and raves about Linux being stable are true. Linux is rock-solid stable, period! However, the claims about ease of installation, ease of use, etc. for new users are totally wrong and, in my opinion, not only border on false advertising, are false advertising. Linux is not friendly to new users, never has been, and has a heck of a long way to go to even become reasonably sociable to those with little or no computer background. If one of the GUI (graphical user interface) programs fails, the new user is basically stranded.

Like anything else, after getting used to it, running and maintaining the Linux operating system is fairly easy and straight forward. However, upgrading or adding a new software package can become another story altogether. It has been my experience that normally the software packages included on a CD distribution will, for the most part, work fine with that distribution. It's when you decide to start upgrading some of the packages that the problems begin. The hassle of hunting for software, finding the correct library files to go with the software, and tracking down all the other dependencies that should be included in a software package will very quickly take the glamour away from being a Linux user.

Like anything else it has its pro's: it's stable, cheap, secure and runs with low overheads. And con's: Harder to setup and configure, can have compatibility issues as hardware is not as globally supported and drivers can be hard to find, not as pretty as some other operating systems.

[brahmchari]

I think you are right........ Linux has so many distributions but with no software cutomization for each distro.... All Distros uses common softwares..... Buts its also a plus point......... Hoping to see a complete Linux Distribution which will have its own audio, video players, browser etc.......