I've always found Windows to be far more problematic than any Linux-based system I've worked with. I had my dad using Ubuntu for a year, and after the first few days, he never ran into any problems with it. He went back to using Windows, and every few weeks there's some sort of problem that I have to spend anywhere from a few minutes to a few days fiixng (and I have to fix them, because otherwise he downloads a bunch of malware labeled "Windows Autofixer" or something similar that messes things up even more).
Windows
does have more problems, but everyone is far more familiar with it, so there's always someone to help. I actually had installation in mind when I mentioned that. Sure, Ubuntu has a nice installer, but newbies aren't always going to be able to download the correct ISO, burn it to a disc and then edit their boot manager to boot from a disc install it, manage partitions, then install the codecs for all the common files (such as mp3s) that aren't natively supported on a number of distros. Most computers come with Windows installed so that they only have to create an account and set the time. Don't get me wrong, I love Linux, but most people don't have a
clue where to start.
I have it on VirtualBox. It's all right, but I prefer building my system from scratch rather than downloading a CD that comes with all sorts of packages I'm never going to use, which is why I never bothered putting it on anything besides VirtualBox.
I prefer to not have to install stuff later. It means everything works whenever I want at a later date. I don't want to find out that I forgot to install a spreadsheet client and need it then and there. Plus I don't want to worry about killing my download limit. It's really up to the user, I guess.
If you want newbie-friendly, even I'd have to recommend OS X. Windows is not user friendly. I had a friend of a friend once whose hard drive was full, so she started deleting files she never used. [S-HIGHLIGHT]There was this huge folder called "Windows" taking up all sorts of space, so she decided to delete a bunch of stuff in it,[/S-HIGHLIGHT] and Windows just let her. Newbies are stupid when it comes to computers, and they'll do stupid things whenever the opportunity arises. As much as I dislike using OS X personally, it's great for people like her.
Despite the fact that windows let her (Vista won't), that's not entirely a valid argument. I mean, there's a difference between a newbie and someone who has no idea what's going on. It's people like that that make me think we should need a licence or supervision to use computers. I don't mean to seem harsh, but that's the same as tinkering inside the case and damaging the computer.
I mean, I don't mind it personally, but having to use the Terminal is definately not friendly for Linux. I have to agree from what I've seen of OSX, as it will even stop people like your friend from forcing the disc drive open with cutlery. Well, a Mac drive should. xD Oh, don't take the bashing personally, I'm just messing around. :D
