Is Windows really easier to use?

A recent experience left me wondering whether the oft-repeated statement that "Windows is much easier to use than Linux" really holds good any more. The other day I connected a data cable from my cell phone to my recently installed Linux Mint 7 laptop to transfer some files. The files didn't get transferred until much later - not because of any hitch, but because the system gave me a most pleasant surprise that left me playing with a new toy! My Linux system detected the USB device (a mobile broadband device), popped up a window showing me the region I was connecting from and allowed me to select my service provider from a list of operators in the region. Seconds later, I had established a connection through the cell phone and was browsing the Internet. Talk about simple!

Nobel Peace Prize 2009

And the loser is...the Nobel committee, for abrogating its responsibility and settling for a politically safe decision. It's hard to believe that there were no better options - why, a second award for a group like MSF would have been so much better. To honour the leader of a nation that has always been interfering in the internal affairs of countries across the world is rather sad, to say the least - especially when his achievements are all still in rhetoric. And make no mistake, Obama's great intentions will only last as long as they are convenient to the USA. This year's award has set an unfortunate precedent - one that the Nobel committee itself will find hard to justify and sustain in future.