The way I see it: For 99% of the folks out there:

What do you need a computer for? Let itemize that

-) Surf the web
-) Word processing
-) Spreadsheets
-) Presentation
-) Print your documents
-) Work on your pictures
-) store and play your music

And then there are some niche markets. But I bet $ to donuts the above list covers it for more than 99% of all the computer users.

Well, if you like to give away money, then by all means go with Vista, give your money for Vista and office and other apps to M$. Or another possibility is to steal the OS and steal Office. Because if you are not paying for it you are stealing it. That easy no ifs no buts.

OR you could just use one of the free OS's that can do the same list (and much more) for free (as in beer) And yes Linux is one possibility.