Windows vs. Linux--Plus, a Microsoft Wii?

Readers debate the relative virtues of Windows and Linux OSes, consider a possible Wii-like game controller from Microsoft.

Is Windows broken? Gartner says yes, andexplains why. Many readers have other ideas, though, and not everyone is ready to jump ship to Linux.Give us your take on the situation.

Thinking of moving to Linux? We've put together a list ofLinux-compatible replacementsfor your favorite Windows applications. Did we leave any out?Join the discussion.

Sources say that Microsoft will be releasing aWii-like controllerthis year. Many readers are not surprised that Microsoft is copying Nintendo's game controller, but some say it might not be a good idea.Let us know what you think.

This week's most-recommended stories include a cautionary tale of hard drive disaster, a look at free online tools, and a review of a tiny laptop. To vote for your own favorites, click one of the thumbs-up icons on an article's page.

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The most interesting part of this article: the tidbit about 95 percent of Microsoft's revenues coming from OEM installs.

After ten years we're still waiting for Open Source to be anything but a hack tool for folks with bad-sounding names in blogs, and we are still waiting for Apple to figure out is is no longer a computer company, but just a very small niche market of expensive electronics.

All those people who tout Linux as being the best are quite ignorant. The best is whatever operating system suits your needs. If all you do is e-mail and Web surf then any operating system will do. If you are a developer then maybe Linux/Unix is better suited for you. If you are a gamer then Windows is better for you since it is both DirectX and OpenGL compatible.

Too many people are totally dissatisfied with Vista. My wife works for a huge business that refuses to upgrade. They are staying with XP because of the problems with Vista. With this kind of unhappiness, how can you not say that Microsoft is slipping? Not only is the public sector not happy, but also the private sector. With all the advanced promotion of Vista, it was supposed to be the OS of the future. Looks like the future didn't last too long.

Read the posts in this threadand contribute your own opinion.

Tip: Open Office for Linux has recently reached version 2.4, and will be in the default installation of Ubuntu 8.04.