Although potentially useful, I don’t know that you could consider speech-recognition as a core function of an OS. This is an example of the heart of the Microsoft problem — to much junk piled on that requires greater and greater hardware requirements.

Currently 9 million Windows machines have been infected with a malware worm that’s incredibly difficult to stop from spreading and to clean out.

You base platform is your foundation.

IMHO, it’s the applications that are important, not the desktop. Applications are what users use. Issues like webcams and broadband access are deal-killers for current Windows users – because they are or can be issues with Linux – even Ubuntu – and are not issues with Windows.

“Security” is always mentioned as a Linux advantage. I’ve used WinXP now for 5 years, and have never been infected. So a Win system can be secured, and it’s not difficult.

I’ve used Heron and Ibex, and I like the system a lot … but in my work, I must use certain Windows applications, and so can use Ubuntu but rarely.

Funny I’m not even a Wndows hater but I have mixed feelings about this new distro – I mean Windows 7 beta is a vast improvement over vista but seriously some true innovation that didnt require 4 GB of memory and a host of new video cards, etc (my 2 year old laptop with 2 GB of memory got a 1.0 on the Microsoft performance assessment that is part of Windows 7) would be much appreciated but I guess Americans do have money to spend on new hardware that they will either never understand nor fully utilize so in that sense – way to go Microsoft. As for old school people like me who can’t grasp the need for a 1TB HD or 4 GB of memory for a HOME computer, then I’m thinking Linux is and always will be in my future.

Anyway, that was fun but Linux held my interest for alot longer than 30 minutes…..

The Windows registry. a built in database that corrupts itself regularly and must be periodically cleaned to maintain system performance. Also a wonderful hiding ground for windows viruses.

Internet Explorer ActiveX controls. Really great snippets of code that you must use to keep your system up to date. also another wonderful hiding ground for viruses.

Windows Genuine Advantage. Try to steal Windows and Genuine Advantage might shut you down. Also might shut you down if your a legal owner with a problem!

Truly we must give credit to Microsoft for these great ideas.

Disk Defrag. HAHA. Don’t worry, by Windows 8 you won’t have to use a disk defragmenter, and by Windows 9 there won’t be viruses. Maybe by Windows 10 they’ll have a new UI that doesn’t mix and match from everyone else and is actually usable.