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So I messed around a few months ago, and I decided to upgrade my system. Ubuntu 11.04 was, for me, a serious challenge. The new Unity interface just seems like it was a rushed attempt to do something vastly different – and it succeeded, but not in the way I like.  It’s one of those “Can’t put my finger on it, but papa does not like” scenarios. I think it might be that the menus were reconfigured in a few ways that threw off my expectations, and instead of things being where I wanted them to be, I had to hunt around again. This may be the crux of the issue, as I want to use my computer to do things – I felt like I was on a treasure hunt for the Magical Buried Option. It was overall not pleasant. For now I’m running in classic mode, which’ll work. Although I may have to look at reconfiguring my desktop again later when 11.11 comes out – or I may jump ship entirely. Something to think about in a few months.

So I’m reading. And Ballmer speaks again about Apple, declaring that the economic downturn is working in favor of Windows.

“Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction,” Ballmer said, via webcast. “The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment — same piece of hardware — paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that’s a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be.”

So. Let’s take this to the next logical step. Your average, straightforward, No-OS PC. About 300 bucks.
Now for comparison:

• MS Office: $133.
• Vista home Premium: $109
• Norton 360: $100 + annual subscription cost

Those are just the applications I would consider “critical for the average user”. So 300 +133 +109 +100 is about 642 total. So now we take that same computer, and look at the prices for some comparison.

• Ubuntu Linux: 59 cents or $0. (1 cd from a bundle of 25 @14.95. Alternatively, you can get a free CD from the manufacturer if you’re willing to wait about 6-10 weeks)
• OpenOffice: Comes with Ubuntu.
• Antivirus/Firewall: Free.

So now we see where we’ve paid 300 for a computer, and an additional 342 to have it working with Windows. We can go back and change the numbers around, scouring the internet for freeware versions of the critical utilities, dropping it down to the point where you’re just paying for Vista. So on the low end of the spectrum, you’re still paying $409 for a $300 computer. When you could…pay $300 for a $300 computer.

500 for an apple logo, 100 for a Windows logo, or 0. I know I need my money more than Ballmer does.

I do some techy-ish things.

Also, crazy bicycle-nerd person I know (See link to madness and joyrides) is looking at Ubuntu. This brings a small amount of joy to my heart. The liveCD has been tried, and I’m going to shamelessly plug a free pdf over here, which is kind enough to be free for download and also available in deadtree form for about 10 bucks. Honestly, if you’re looking at ubuntu linux, it’s a nice read.

So I’d checked out a few of the stations I like, and they appear to be switching over to Silverlight. Not available for my operating system though. Which…well, is damned annoying and amusing all at once.