...your claim about the ultimate superiority of Linux and its "excellent graphic software".
Open Source graphics software such as GIMP, Inkscape, Scribus, Cinepaint, Blender (3d rendering) are excellent indeed, and this isn't only my view on the subject. Just perform a search on Google for "linux graphic artist software" and that will result in more than several informative articles.
I never used the phrase 'superior' specifically, although it may have been seemingly implied to you. Utilizing Linux for the financial operations of a firm is a great choice because you avoid proprietary licensing fees and overall costs of such software. For example, if you are a graphics artist and find the offerings of Open Source graphics software not suitable your liking, then you can even devote one or several workstations to using either Microsoft or Mac, and pay the license fees for those particular workstations. The remaining part of your firm's operations can use Linux, and you can achieve cost savings in this manner as well. It's not an all or nothing proposition. You can mix the Operating Systems of your choice in the office anyway you wish. Considering it's all free and can save most enterprises enormous sums of money, and the funcionality is there, who could possibly complain?
In my original posting, I mentioned Linux as an alternative to Microsoft because of the rampant pirating and theft of proprietary software in Poland, and the fact that "many" computer sales vendors in Poland will attempt to provide their clients with an illegal copy of Windows, and charge you for it. This was the original issue being dicussed, as is clearly stated in the topic itself. The topic wasn't 'Linux versus Microsoft and Mac'. Linux was only mentioned as another choice for running a business.
From my personal experiences living and working in Poland, I have found that abusing the use of pirated software also extends to the public and governmental level. For example, a close friend who works for a local gmina in her small city had recently stated, "None of the Microsoft software at my workplace, including Operating Systems, is either legal or licensed." This also trickles down the the average home personal computer in Poland. You will find that over 90% of all copies of MS Windows is in fact, illegal or pirated. Most police and citizens seem to turn their head the other way to this and view it as a minor abuse.
It seems that most responses to this post are more focused on the Linux versus MS issue and have totally ignored the original topic itself. As was indicated in 'red' in post #18, how about we stay on topic? Or, we can start another thread on the Linux / Windows / Mac comparison and speak about it there?
Cheers,
Ela