"1. So many Variants of Linux that the Home/Work dynamic isn't as strong. So many flavors which one is right for me? Sometimes too much of a good thing is not too good. If user gets confused by all the variants of Linux they will just bring their PC back to the shop, and have them load WIN XP or VISTA and be done with it. If their computer "guy" who set it up for them still tries to insist that it (Linux) is "Technically superior" and all that and the customer isn't happy they will find someone who will do what they want."

Part of the problem is that techs generally don't understand Linux. I just got back from CompUseless. I talked to a tech and explained I needed a scanner that would work in Linux without having to jump through hoops. He then told me "scanners don't work in Linux, nothing does. You have to use Windows." What!!?? With ignorance like that it is impossible to find what works best for you.

As for the number of distros, I think the only thing a tech needs to find out is:
"What are you using it for." That decides the distro. I use FC3 because it is a jack of all trades OS. I can serve out web pages, files, email, play games, use it as a desktop, etc. What distro is right for you? I don't know. Plenty of distros come on a Live CD, so you can try them and if you don't like them toss the CD.

I would suggest for the noob:
1) Fedora
2) Ubuntu
3) Knoppix

I would suggest Gentoo and Fedora for excellent community support and Ubuntu for good developer support.

As for setting up Linux properly, it isn't hard. I can even get theme that makes it look just like XP. Most techs are Linux savy enough to set it up properly, let alone make it usable for the user.

"2. The Game/Entertainment Factor. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and parents who want their machines to do double duty will go with MS as the Choices are much larger. Sure Doom 3 and Unreal Tournament are available for Linux but Linux is in the same boat as MACs as far as games are concerned. Someday..maybe but not yet. (Note this may be offset by the Xbox/Playstation factor)"

I'm not going to touch on the death of computer gaming because that is just a religious war waiting to happen (my console/pc/whatever is better than your console/pc/whatever).

As for gaming, most Windows games will work just fine in Linux. Cedega/Point2play are easy to install and use. Some games run native in Linux (Doom 3, UT2004, NWN, RtCW:ET, etc), but for those that don't Cedega works just fine. I play WoW, CS:Source, and HL2 just fine on my FC3 box...and ironically enough I get higher frame rates EMULATING Windows...go figure.

"3. Linux still Geeky. This is the big one. Sorry guys I like Linux but most flavors are still too techy. Even "user freindly" versions rely on the command line to change the most basic settings. (Auto/full duplex 100mbit etc)**
YAST is good start and so are some of the other Desktops (KDC comes to mind but get get rid of all the "K" spelling stuff (Konqueror et al) its sooo cheesy. Now I'm sure a bunch of will reply well the X,Y,Z varients with R-D-U interface are easily downloadable and can be installed just by using RPM to check your dependancies and recompiling your Kernal and blah blah blah. Theres lots of options you are obviously too lazy to do your research."

I agree to an extent it is too geeky, but there are options and you no longer have to recompile your kernel for everything. Linux has come a LONG way in just a few years. Yum, up2date, aptget, yast, et al are all very easy to use and all have a GUI of some sort available for them.

As for almost all system tasks you can do them in the GUI now. Most tools Apache to Zebra have a nice handy GUI and you don't have to touch a command line.

Also, now you can just double click on an RPM and it will install. Installing stuff in Linux has become QUITE easy and less command line oriented. While you can still use the command line, you don't have to any more.

I can't argue with the cheesy K stuff.

"4. Software, people use PC's to do stuff not just play with (We do we're different). Sure there's alot of Open Source stuff out there but most of it like Linux isn't ready for consumer Primetime. (apologies to Jaqui but its true Google up Project managment software for instance. Sure theres a couple of unstable Demos and Immendio but your own your own for support..)
If you can't install it by merely clicking on Install or Setup than you have lost. Same thing with having multiple versions of the program availble for Download on the same page. Huh? Which one do I use the one that says ver 2.1.4.56b (STABLE) or 2.1.4.6a (REF, why is there an UNSTABLE version is it crazy? Whats this Source Code? What no setup? What do you mean by compile it?"

Typical "desktop" packages come in RPM (or whatever flavor) format that simply need to be double clicked in the GUI to have them install. While some packages are hard to find, yum/apt-get/yast/et al will grab all the dependencies for you. Gone are the days of ./configure && make && make install && make clean...Not much stuff is compiled from source (although it is still out there as an option)...

I agree the pages are confusing and the package naming convention for the average user is hard to understand, but I think that will come along as Linux becomes more friendly. Plus, you don't have to go to the pages anymore, you can just use your updater to get them!