Can Linux keep up with Windows 7?

I don't know enough about Windows 7 to comment directly on it's features but if history has anything to say about it it will be riddled with bugs and not easily accepted even within it's own fan base. All things aside, I will give it the benefit of the doubt. Up to this point I have heard good things from the Geeks community and I've also heard some bad things. The windows market share is falling fast as far as desktops are concerned. Enough of a fall in fact that I think the giant that is Microsoft must be at least clenching it's fists and having developer meetings whenever possible. A fly on the wall might hear opening statements similar to "Ok, now everybody stay calm..."

Just like a shiny new vehicle rolling off the production line for the first time, Windows 7 has it's first time appeal. The bug eyed consumer waiting for a product that is more stable and secure than before, but what will they really get? Will it just be Vista with a new paint job and some duct tape to hold the tail pipe up? I hope not.

There are a few Linux desktops that are just too good to ignore. Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora. Compatibility was always the first question native windows users would ask when a linux geek said "Hey, you should try Linux". The standard answer was always "Yeah, but can it run my windows programs?". Systems such as WINE and my personal favorite, VIRTUALBOX both allow for an easy transition to linux leaving access to the stuff that just hasn't been ported over or won't be. Linux performance is increasing, hardware support getting better and of course Linux is still more secure and stable than any version of windows to date.

If your a gamer... Well progress is always being made but is still rather messy, most serious game developers are including linux in their designs but we are not yet seeing true cross platform simplicity...

I'm not yet convinced that Windows 7 isn't just Vista with a new slip cover over it. Power shell or not I'll gladly take a good 'BASH'ing before submitting to a time and time again proven failure. Windows may be easier to install and perhaps even to use but it isn't my cup of tea. Not when I can do anything they can do at the best price available, FREE! And pardon me if the linux environment actually forces people to use their brain and think about how to run a computer. Instead of laying out some stupified options that don't conform to the users exact needs. At the age of 10 I asked a friend from the Computer Shop of Calgary how to approach the problem of understanding the computer. His response was so simple but true. "Stop trying to understand the computer and start teaching it how to understand you!"

That's all for now, back to gnome I go...
I GNU you'd understand!

Cheers!