Is Linux easy to install & use?
I have installed various flavors of Linux and Windows on many machines, and in my informed opinion...
Linux is
easier to install than Windows. Not "as easy as"... Easier.
Much easier.
No 47-digit "CD key" to type in. No "XP phone home" registration (or re-registration when you change hardware components). Your computer doesn't give you the third degree when you try to install or upgrade software.
It is also takes alot less time to set up a usable, secure machine.
Most Linux distros come with a complete suite of office applications, a PDF viewer, apache, a mail server, a graphics editor, a compiler, and every scripting language known to man. Windows doesn't. If you want
any applications, you have to install (and pay for) them separately.
Security updates are easier with Linux, too. I think my least favorite feature of the Microsoft Universe is "Windows Update." Not too bad if you are installing windows on only 1 machine, behind a good firewall, with a broadband connection -- but it doesn't scale well at all.
My Linux solution is to download (over a fast connection) all the security updates from one of the mirrors and burn it to a CD. I can then use the CD to install all the security patches before the machine is ever connected to a network. Cloning multiple machines is also much easier (especially without the XP registration nonsense).
I don't care if Linux is free or not, bc I don't want to deal with "type command at prompt", and having to track down drivers for the printer and blah, blah, blah.
I've tried Knoppix & Mandrake and hated 'em both.
Yes, drivers for oddball hardware can sometimes be a pain. (although it is becoming less so). If this is the problem, find a local geek who can make it work for you.
I don't know about your "type command at prompt" comment. Mandrake and Knoppix can be installed, configured, and operated completely from the GUI -- unless you are trying to do something extra clever.
Maybe you should try
Lindows if your Windoze withdrawal symptoms are that bad.