I picked up September's Which? getting ready to be suitably annoyed about a review of netbooks. After many years of ignoring or dismissing GNU/Linux, they have succeeded in astonishing me.

They write:

We compare Linux and Windows XP.

Linux: a free, easy-to-use operating system that is open-source so anyone with programming skills can adapt the software. [so netbooks are cheaper] It takes up fewer system resources such as memory than Windows XP but you may have to tweak settings or install extra software to use peripherals such as a mobile broadband dongle. Linux doesn't work with Windows software, but there are free alternatives to popular applications available.

Windows XP Home: it's more immediately compatible with programs and peripherals than Linux, but it requires more system resources and is more vulnerable to viruses. so you must protect it with security software.

I don't think I've ever seen anything written outside the "community" that puts the case so well.

Congratulations to the Consumers Association, credit where credit is due.

-- Gerry Gavigan, OSC Chairman, 15th August 2009