UPDATE: For a really good read on a user switching from Windows to Linux, I suggest that you check out this blog post.

It’s the argument that many people use against Linux. It’s hard to install. Well, considering that both Windows and Mac OSX actually come with the computer, and Linux doesn’t, Linux is at an unfair disadvantage here. I say that installing Windows from CD is just as hard. The exception is if you got your Windows CD from the hardware vendor, as the CD is guaranteed to have all the drivers in that case.

If you want to a comparison, you can check out this Windows installation tutorial and Ubuntu installation tutorial, both on Wikihow. Wait, what about burning the Ubuntu ISO? That might be too hard. But wait! You can actually get your Ubuntu CD mailed to you.

Of course, people keep complaining about how difficult it is to install Linux. A lot of people say that the partitioning options confuse them. Well, that’s because I’ve noticed people are more likely to use the entire disk when installing Windows, but set up a dual-boot when installing Linux. Unfair? Yup.

But, there’s a change happening. Dell is offering computers that come with Linux pre-installed! Yay! This is a start to a future where Linux can actually equally compete with Windows and Mac OSX.

Of course, those computers running Linux have been out for a while now. Have the silly, annoying myths about Linux disappeared? Nope. Everybody thinks that you need to be a terminal whiz and a 1337 programmer to run Linux. Considering that I started using Linux before I actually got good at the terminal, I think that other people can manage it too.

Pretty much any Windows power-user should be capable of installing Linux on a computer, barring some rare and horrific driver problem (which has never happened to my friends and I). So far, I have converted two friends to Linux. One of them started using Linux (Ubuntu Dapper Drake) when he was nine years old. Seriously (Here is his website). If those two friends of mine can do it, so can you.

What about those that aren’t power-users at all, but have difficulty doing some of the most basic tasks? In that case, I suggest that they should get a computer from Dell that offers Linux pre-installed.

Of course, while Dell has made a huge step to making Linux available to the average person, it will take a long time for the average person to start using Linux. The main reason for this is that a lot of people don’t see the need to get a new computer or install a new operating system.

But one day, we’ll see if I can ask my mother how to install Amarok and see if she can answer the question.