Most are old because their user [as yet] sees no reason to replace them....as they perform their tasks sufficiently well as is.

Not true at all Jafo. It's people like you with that idea that keeps Linux on the wayside.

Intelligent, discerning, educated and above all hugely modest people......

....that don't own a propeller hat....;)

I wasn't aware you needed a special hat to run a OS other than Windows. I wonder what you call Apple users?

Ah, but you do have a slot in that helmet of yours to fit one if needs be... er, the tin foil becomes inadequate.

What helmet? What tin foil?

Well you didn't think Jafo would be unprepared, did you??

Linux isn't ever likely to take off bigtime and become mainstream popular or anything... but there's no harm in playing it safe.

Grabbed mine for $49.99. Not a bad deal at all.

Looks like bmetelsky was duped and brainwashed just like I was.

Anyone that gets locked into that ELUA of Microsoft's is getting duped myself included when I use Windows.

But at least you have a good excuse... your tinfoil lined propeller hat blew off when someone opened a window, right???

How do you figure that???  As far as I know, MS doesn't send around any fast-talking double-dealers to twist anyone's arm into clicking the "I Agree" button.  I do recall clicking that button of my own free will, knowing full well that Windows phones home and does some under-the-hood stuff while I'm not looking... but MS wouldn't be the only software company doing that, would they???

Hmmm, could be time to double up on the foil and install an extra propeller. 

Linux dosen't phone home. Neither does Apple as far as I know.

Wait 'til they develop the technology... they're a bit behind MS, technologically speaking, but give 'em time.

Of course Apple-Mac phones home!  How else would Steve "Smug" Jobs know they only have 10% of market share and have a lot of catching up to do?

Actually if your talking about tin foil hats and your scared of software phoning home, then avoid Google. For some reason everyone thinks Google is Jesus incarnated but they know more about you than the government does. Pretty soon they'll send you a coupon for anti cancer meds at reduced price, and you'll say "But I don't have cancer" and Google will reply "Just wait 3 weeks.."

If you don't like Windows, don't use it.  It's really that simple.  As I said years ago when Vista was coming out, Linux isn't going anywhere, it will never get any real marketshare. 

Nope, not in the desktop market, which is fine. Linux does quite well in the server market. There's no shame in that. Desktop and server markets are quite different from eachother. Maybe they should both stick to their own market, or atleast make a decent enough alternative before entering the other market.

Not sure how MS is on the server market. I think they do pretty okay, but they don't have the same market share as linux/bsd

Oh I do... like the plague and/or a horny mother-in-law who's been blowing me kisses from across the room.

(oooh, goody, another opportunity to bash Google)

If Google had a grandmother it would steal her purse, take all the money out and sell it back to her (adding 20% interest) on pension day.

Yeah, it really pisses me off that I have absolutely NO Google stuff on my rig, yet every time I visit a website, there's google analytics running at page-load and collecting data on where I'm going and what I'm looking at.  What's even more annoying is when page-loads are slow/held up because google analytics stuffing around and stalling while its snooping around my IP addy without my consent.  Yup, that sucks big-time... that the authorities need a warrant, yet Google can invade your privacy uninvited and collect info without one.

Nope, don't like Google at all.

"Wankers"....;)

Actually....some of my best friends use them.

Yes, I know....if I had more friends I could afford to be more discerning....;)

You might have to move, tho... I hear Melbournians are a discerning lot.

Then you're going to hate this: Google Chrome Operating System

Nope...  I just won't be using it.