Ubuntu

At first glance, it's easy to be taken in by Jeff Hoogland's recent post entitled "Why Ubuntu Is Harder Than Windows."

"I use Ubuntu on all my personal computers and I even recommend it to friends," Hoogland began. "I am starting to think maybe I shouldn't though, because it is obvious: Ubuntu is harder to use than Windows."

It doesn't take long, however, for the sarcasm to shine through.
'The Feature-Rich Wordpad'

On the topic of default software, for instance: "Windows offers a fantastic default software install," Hoogland writes. "Need to write a paper? No worries, Windows has the feature-rich Wordpad. Want to surf the Net? Internet Explorer has always provided a safe Web-browsing experience."

Ubuntu's default software, by contrast, is "somewhat disappointing," he asserts. "It has a full-featured word processor, spreadsheet editor and presentation creator. I know most people don't use Facebook or Twitter, but just in case you do Ubuntu includes Gwibber, a software that fully integrates your social networking with your desktop.

"For Web browsing, Ubuntu only has Firefox, and if you want to instant message, Ubuntu's Empathy only supports Facebook, AIM, yahoo, MSN, IRC ... ," he adds.