Having read the letter in last month's PCW (May 2005) which was an angry rant against Windows, I'd like to thank you for printing it, because it raises awareness of the kind of attitude which many Linux users have. It's an attitude I see a lot in my work as a Unix/Linux systems administrator. In my opinion, to simply put down and bad mouth the competition is not at all constructive.

If Linux is to become more popular, which I feel it deserves, then proponents such as the beligerant writer you published need to be more positive in their communications if they are to encourage its use. Hating Microsoft is not a good reason and will not increase the user base of Linux because people like to be encouraged rather than discouraged. It is not really fair to claim Linux is better without pointing out where it's better and why people might find it superior to Windows.

As I see it, Windows has much to recommend it, such as its mature user interface which, as a result of its ease of use and good, intuitive design, has allowed many millions of people to make use of computers where they would otherwise find them too daunting. Linux has come a long way in the past few years in terms of ease of use for less technical persons, and though it may not be as slick as the Windows interface, the underlying stability and security of the Unix-like operating system is a major point in its favour.

There is much more to recommend both Linux and Windows, plenty of material for healthy debate! I would recommend those Linux advocates who take an aggressive and resentful stance against Microsoft take a step back and look at how they can positively raise people's consciousness about alternative choices in computing.

Mark Ellerby