(clug-talk) Why Linux?

Found this on a Why Linux thread in the Gentoo forums (interesting reading -
you can see the full thread here
http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic.php?t=71760).  Thought it summed things
up very nicely:

By: Papapishu
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Here
        Post <http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic.php?p=464208#464208>Posted: Wed
Aug 13, 2003 3:57 pm    Post subject:   Reply with quote
<http://forums.gentoo.org/posting.php?mode=quote&p=464208>

I've never felt comfortable with Windows.
Whenever I use windows, I feel threatened.
There's things out there I can't control.
People may be looking at my shares, or?
This error, what does it mean? And how do I fix it?
What should I do?
Is there any viruses on my computer?
WTF does 'perform an illegal operation' mean anyway?
Or 'error in module blah.vxd on offset 017FBA5A61BLAH'.
That's very detailed, isn't it?
Having valuable data in a windows system is like putting your precious china
in the childrens bedroom; eventually, you won't have it anymore...
When using Internet Exploder, the popup adds, automatic installations of
viral and spyware programs and javascript traps of various sites comes
marching to bend you over and rape you in the naughty place, and all you can
do is to stand idly by and let it happen.
When trying to create a webpage, you have to check and doublecheck on
thelvehundred different browsers to make sure it looks alright, because the
one you use, and most others, don't follow the standards (like Mozilla does)
(right now, I just make my stuff for Mozilla and wait for the competitors to
either submit to the standards or die (hopefully die when it comes to IE))

When I use Linux, it doesn't work as a deck of cards.
I can remove and insert services at my own liking without having to reboot.
Whatever I do, I'm in total control, and when an error arises, you can
acctually fix it, partly because of the error message, and partly because of
the open structure (like recompiling the program)
My OS is locked unto my hardware like a leech (optimized) yet it's parts are
still individual (it doesn't crach or deterioate if I remove or add stuff)
To quote the Beatles: I am my OS as my computer are my OS and my computer is
me and we are all together...
When I browse the web, and the forementioned burly rape-monster comes
marching toward me, I feel like Neo, stopping the bullets.
It's a zen experience, almost enlightenment.
Now I'm the one raping a purple gorilla...
I rejoice whenever I hear of a new virus that have made life wonderful for
some windows users, and I get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I see the "W32..."
in front of the newfound virus' name, because I know, that that no longer
applies to me.
I make things work, and I feel like a god, the creator.
My system loves me, and I love it, to the degree that I consider it a living
thing, like a big, shaggy, friendly dog that brings you your newspaper and
slippers in the morning.
I now know why Mac users love their operating system.
I understand them, cause I love my OS too...
It appeals to my personality, being a person who drives stick.