WINE runs most applications very well with no configuration at all in modern distributions. You don't have to worry about dependencies when using a package manager, that's one of the fundamental ideas of a package manager, not to mention that all the software you require is in one central repository. To me this is a lot easier than having to hunt around for an application that does what you want. The majority of people I've successfully convinced to use Linux have been impressed with having a large collection of software in one place.
If you want to talk about minimal hassle let's talk about Windows driver installations, or the amount of "badware" out there that affects a Windows installation potentially causing issues further down the road. Not to mention the day to day security vulnerabilities. The idea that Windows is easier to install and use is false when compared to a modern Linux distribution.
For a netbook a Linux distribution is perfect, all of the software required for day to day use is installed by default and requires little to no configuration.
There's one reason that Linux hasn't taken off and that's because people are afraid of change (or are subject to all of the negative advertising by Microsoft, or because they buy a computer with Windows pre-installed), modern distributions are incredibly user friendly and simple to use, so much in fact that my parents use Debian. What makes people less inclined to use Linux is misinformation from a third party or reliance on inferior software because it's familiar.
All I'm saying is, Linux is free give it a try.
If you want to talk about minimal hassle let's talk about Windows driver installations, or the amount of "badware" out there that affects a Windows installation potentially causing issues further down the road. Not to mention the day to day security vulnerabilities. The idea that Windows is easier to install and use is false when compared to a modern Linux distribution.
For a netbook a Linux distribution is perfect, all of the software required for day to day use is installed by default and requires little to no configuration.
There's one reason that Linux hasn't taken off and that's because people are afraid of change (or are subject to all of the negative advertising by Microsoft, or because they buy a computer with Windows pre-installed), modern distributions are incredibly user friendly and simple to use, so much in fact that my parents use Debian. What makes people less inclined to use Linux is misinformation from a third party or reliance on inferior software because it's familiar.
All I'm saying is, Linux is free give it a try.
