Windows = for everyone
Linux = for computer geeks, pros etc
Bottom line.
Keep in mind that many people think they are computer literate. In reality, they have not even scratched the surface.
Loading applications and understanding applications is just USER AWARENESS. That is the BARE minimum + your career requirements, in order to get just an ENTRY level job now adays in the corporate world.
The best question to pose to someone that wants to know if they should goto linux or not is, have you ever had a problem with your computer that you were not able to resolve yourself in a timely manner (usually within 30 minutes if it did not require parts).
IF however, you are pretty savy and learn pretty quickly on the fly and have some extra time and possibly an extra computer, GIVE IT A TRY! Why not right?
more fyi:
Linux as it stands right now is nothing special in my opinion. But raise the price of windows a bit more, and with more compatibility with linux distros..then it may be to me.
It was once known as a fast operating system that was FREEEEEEEEEEEEE! That and the DOWN WITH MICROSOFT attitude made it and still holds it as big news. As it is the ONLY new news right? If it were a stock, it would trade at about .25 cents. Definetely not sub penny land but,...
Now, many distributions are packaged nicely with alllllllllllllllllll these tools you will NEVER use unless you have no life and sit behind a computer day and night, in which case you would have downloaded it anyway. Many linux distributions have so much stuff loaded into them now, there are MANY controversies as to what version of linux is the best. Their names are not like windows (95, 98, 2000, xp) They are usually names with the most popular one being red hat (which is also recently used as a term for someone that uses both nice and not so nice methods of getting a better ranking for their web page on a web site) BUT you don't need to know all of this lol...sorry.
Had this been windows 95 land vs linux. The answer would be, go for linux if you have some skill because well, windows 95 took some user interaction whenever changing settings at times, none more difficult than setting up some of the out of box linux distros of current day.
Overall: Linux has come a long way, and it has a LONG way to go. There are MANY out of the box distributions (red hat etc etc) that allow you to setup and go righ to a desktop. Earlier versions had you back to the command prompt land and loading a variety of desktops with browsers etc etc to get the windows 'feel'. It's MUCH easier now, but much more configurable to those that want to 'play around'.
Oh btw, security on a linux box usually is FAR superior to a windows machine, but I have personally found many issues that go un-resolved on a daily basis with several distributions that cause lax security issues.
Windows is by far the most insecure operating system, by in large to its popularity and those sheer numbers tinkering around to learn its vulnerbilities.
Ok sorry, probably more than you EVER will need to know...I'm tired and rambling.