Sun is making a new OS. I hope that they are going to fix a lot of the problems Joshie pointed out. Here's some stuff:

1. There are lots of apps for Linux and they come with the OS free
   
2. I referred to the average person with respect to computer knowledge, not their current OS
   
3. A new distro from Sun may simplify Linux and present only the bare bones options that most users need, leaving the advanced features to be played with only by advanced users who are looking for them
   
4. If my last point becomes reality the number of support calls would stay about the same
   
5. Sure, people are afraid of change. People like cheap, stable stuff too, though.
   
6. Linux literacy wouldn't be an issue if Sun does what I said earlier
   
7. The average computer knowledge person doesn't know how to steal windows using kazaa
   
8. You don't have to break the law to use good software with Linux
   
9. Lindows, a similar walmart venture did fail. But Walmart doesn't know computers; Sun does. Just because something was tried before doesn't mean it is a doomed effort. Plus Sun has a lot to bring to the table
   

So before chalking this new Linux OS up as a failure, I'm going to be optimistic and hope that Sun can do what others have failed at doing: harnessing the potential of Linux for users who are not computer scientists so that the public can have alternatives to paying out the nose or stealing software.