Linux is actually quite user friendly, once you get past the fact that you always have to login and running as root could seriously mess up your computer.

The first time I used Linux I was able to get around the K Desktop Environment easily. As for stability, well the only time Linux has crashed was the first time I used it (and even then it recovered by itself!). Windows crashes almost every time I use it - and that's probably an understatement if anything.

With RPMs making it usually unecessary to have to compile from sources, Linux is probably almost as user friendly as Windows. The main reason why people think Windows is easier to use is because that it the OS they use at school, work and home due to Microsoft's monopoly. If every school in the country switched to Linux then in about 10 years time Microsoft would only have about 10% of the OS market - just like Linux has now.

It's all a question of what you're used to, and whether or not you're willing to learn new things.

pwaring.