I in no way intend to start one of those conversations that ultimately end up in a flame war over which operating system is better. With that said, I don't think Microsoft has killed anything related to Linux. I'll elaborate by presenting my history with Linux.
2004 - Redhat; could not get it to work smoothly on my box; switched back to Windows
2006 - Redhat; got it to work on my box but I felt overwhelmed by the options available and the lack of a Windows feel; switched back to Windows
2007 - Mac; had a Windows feel while opening the door to the Unix world; started serious work on financial programming
2009 - Ubuntu; using it for everything at home (programming and entertainment), but will be buying a Windows notebook this fall for graduate school
Linux has come a long way since I started using it. It might be that the Mac was the key step in the progression from Windows to Linux. The Mac allowed me to develop a working knowledge of Unix features while maintaining the Windows point-and-click environment that I grew up with. I see all three OS's as having their own uses. I like Ubuntu because I can pick it apart; curiosity has forced me to do a full reinstall several times. I like Windows because I haven't found a replacement for some of the programs I like to use, specifically Excel. I don't see why all three OS's can't have a place in the marketplace.
2004 - Redhat; could not get it to work smoothly on my box; switched back to Windows
2006 - Redhat; got it to work on my box but I felt overwhelmed by the options available and the lack of a Windows feel; switched back to Windows
2007 - Mac; had a Windows feel while opening the door to the Unix world; started serious work on financial programming
2009 - Ubuntu; using it for everything at home (programming and entertainment), but will be buying a Windows notebook this fall for graduate school
Linux has come a long way since I started using it. It might be that the Mac was the key step in the progression from Windows to Linux. The Mac allowed me to develop a working knowledge of Unix features while maintaining the Windows point-and-click environment that I grew up with. I see all three OS's as having their own uses. I like Ubuntu because I can pick it apart; curiosity has forced me to do a full reinstall several times. I like Windows because I haven't found a replacement for some of the programs I like to use, specifically Excel. I don't see why all three OS's can't have a place in the marketplace.