Linux on the desktop is still the domain of software engineers and technical people.

I've been using various CLI Linux servers for years and tried Ubuntu Desktop 6.06 when it came out. I now realize the very good reason why Linux is a geeks platform. Dispite things like Compiz and it's revolving cube desktop, the structure of the applications, aesthetically is fairly clunky and reminded me of a Fischer Price "my first pc". That was my only real criticism though. Functionally I found it very easy to use, and a lot easier to network than windows... Wasted screen real estate is a real issue. Compare iTunes/Windows Media Player and RhythmBox...

iTunes - aesthetically efficient and clear and simple to use.

WMP - Aesthetically exciting and slick, although not that intuative, with weird options under buttons with symbols on them.

RhythmBox - large swathes of blank space, chunky buttons. Easy enough to use, (although i have not found a way to actually change the rip settings)... a bit basic, but fundamentally ugly.

It's the desktop.

Gnome - technically brilliant - aesthetically clunky. Nice on a 32" screen though i'd imagine.

KDE - technically brilliant - aesthetically archaic

Xfce - technically brilliant - a lot more efficient on screen space and quick...

I think it's the desktops that are letting the side down. I reckon when and Gnome, KDE pull their finger out and refine their appearance, and Xfce simply go further with what they seem to be aiming for, we'll see a lot more people adopting *nux systems...

As for the merger... who cares? Seriously, it's a company, companies merge!!! I've got no comment to make on that...

Paris, because she's "like school in July", a bit like Gnome and KDE...