i dunno i've seen some pretty kickass power point slide presentations, to include one that was setup and worked like a jeapordy game.. great functionality... i guess my point in that is it all depends on perspective.

now i wasn't around for the "good presentation programs" that rm3mpc brought up in his post

i'll admit it my first computer was a c64/128 with a C/PM OS conversion package to go with it..

but i've used both linux and MS proprietary systems and crossplatform systems... and with X window.. there isn't really alot of difference between them other than linux isn't as well supported by the market.. but such is the downfall of open architecture... look at firefox... it's capable of becoming better and more stable than IE will ever be.. but most corporations won't use it because

1> it's still too young,
2> they give away the source code and invite hackers to play with it,
3> there's no marketing for it.

but on one issue i do agree with the rest of the thread... if microsoft doesn't make vista 300% better than XP or XP Pro, and more affordable, they're going to price themselves right out of the market. $189 for a one site license OEM version of XP home (starter price) was ridiculous.