Sorry but I just don't agree with this article. I love Ubuntu. I love Windows 8. I have both of them installed on my computer. Your points of "blowing windows away" are bad. Amazon Search? Really? Like I can't do that from my browser, or even the site itself?

Gradual change in UI? HA - Good one

"Ease of app installation" - Ubuntu has had that package manager in every version I've ever used. Windows has not. They have to start somewhere, then build up from there. Also it's not meant to have programs in the same way as Ubuntu, being that the programs in there have specific design requirements and have to be re-written from scratch in some cases.

Having gone from 10.10 to 12.10, that is a HUGE jump, and not a nice one either (in my opinion anyway). Similar in comparison from going from Windows 7 to Windows 8... Just not as drastic.