Linux

Ok everyone, I'm thinking of switching to linux because I've heard great things about it, so I was wondering which linux based os I should go for. I'm just looking for one that I can use the internet on, since I have my games on another installation of xp. Basically I want to run live messenger, utorrent and limewire or something similar. Also will I need to get any virus protection, since I download some risky stuff.

Linux is *not* user friendly, and until it is linux will stay with >1% marketshare.

Take installation. Linux zealots are now saying "oh installing is so easy, just do apt-get install package or emerge package": Yes, because typing in "apt-get" or "emerge" makes so much more sense to new users than double-clicking an icon that says "setup".

Linux zealots are far too forgiving when judging the difficultly of Linux configuration issues and far too harsh when judging the difficulty of Windows configuration issues. Example comments:

User: "How do I get Quake 4 to run in Linux?"
Zealot: "Oh that's easy! If you have Feisty Fawn, you have to download quake_4_feisty_i686_060607_glibc.bin, then do chmod +x on the file. Then you have to su to root, make sure you type exportLD_ASSUME_KERNEL=2.2.5 but ONLY if you have the stock kernel installed. If you don't, don't set that environment variable or the installer will dump core. Before you run the installer, make sure you have the GL drivers for X installed. Get them at [some obscure web address], chmod +x the binary, then run it, but make sure you have at least 10MB free in /tmp or the installer will dump core. After the installer is done, edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf and add a section called "GL" and put "driver nv" in it. Make sure you have the latest version of X and Linux kernel 2.6 or else X will segfault when you start. OK, run the Quake 4 installer and make sure you set the proper group and setuid permissions on quake4.bin. If you want sound, look here [link to another obscure web site], which is a short HOWTO on how to get sound in Quake 4. That's all there is to it!"

User: "How do I get Quake 4 to run in Windows?"
Zealot: "Oh God, I had to install Quake 4 in Windoze for some lamer friend of mine! God, what a fucking mess! I put in the CD and it took about 3 minutes to copy everything, and then I had to reboot the fucking computer! Jesus Christ! What a retarded operating system!"

So, I guess the point I'm trying to make is that what seems easy and natural to Linux geeks is definitely not what regular people consider easy and natural. Hence, the preference towards Windows.