I have ran Winblows most of my life until about 7 months ago. That is when I discovered Linux and BeOS. I found them while surfing the web looking for new operating systems.

I must say that Windoze gave me much more trouble than Linux ever has, and when Linux does start trouble with me, I can always find out it was me that caused it in the first place. With Wincrap, it is usually the other way around.

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know a humourous story. My friend was looking for a new computer, and after some searching, we got to Gateway. I was asking questions about the PC my friend was looking at to make sure evything was compatible.

The sales guy I was talking to finally asked me why I was asking so many quesitons, and I told him it was because I have to make sure Linux will run the hardware. He then replyed to me saying that Windoze is better suited for most people, and has gotten alot more reliable. Right then, while restarted a PC, it froze up.

I couldnt help but laugh, and laugh hard. My friend then asked the guy if could get a computer without Windows, and save some money. He then looked at me and added "I finally see what you have been talking about. Everytime I see your PC, it never gives any grief. I want what you have.

The sales guy replied they can't give money back for not including Windows, so my friend and I left. He has finally decided to build a PC instead, which is what I have been telling him to do for quite a while now.

I have found in my experience that most sales people don't know shit, believe me....I use to work in sales..if I didn't know the answer, I bullshitted my way out of anything, the sad part is, the poor people that would be buying would believe anything I told them.

If you ask for a computer without Windoze installed, and it comes with it already installed then I have read somewhere that you are entitled to compensation. Must have read it in a mag or somewhere. Has anybody else heard about this?

I think you are better off building your own comp anyway. Companies like Gateway, Dell etc.. can rip off your average user because of all the "Extras" which are bundled in!

There is an ongoing effort to try and force vendors to refund money for the bundled software (windows, bundled apps, et al). From what I've read, it looks like a waste of time but I understand the sentiment.

Here are three places you can order preconfigured Linux systems:

www.penguincomputing.com
www.linuxmall.com
www.linuxstore.com

This is to N1HNJ:

How come you feel it is a waste of time to try to get money back for specific apps? If you aren't going to use the software, then why should you pay for it?

I think that an individual should be allowed to get money back, or at the least be able to exchange those titles for credit towards something else. Wincrap alone is worth about $100. And if you don't need that, then you can do without all the other titles, which can add up really quick.

Frankly, from the deals I have seen, who really has used these titles, or even made them a part of your regularly accessed apps?

I personally have found almost everything I ever use, except certain games and illegal software downloads, in my mdk 7.2 install. That was only $70. Why should I as a consumer spend more than that if I dont have to?