Hyping up Linux is counterproductive. I'm an active member of the Ubuntu Forums and have seen too many "I'm going back to Windows" threads started by disgruntled potential migrants from Windows who were oversold on Linux by these "let's hype up Linux" articles and blogs. Shame on the bloggers/writers. If you want to migrate people over to Linux successfully, you should be honest about the pros and cons, appreciate the good points Windows has to offer, and concede the difficulties people may face during migration.

The most important point to hammer home to potential new users is that Linux is not a drop-in replacement for Windows. Sadly, it is usually only after potential migrants get disgruntled that the Linux users say, "Yeah, Linux isn't Windows!" Well, if you'd said that in the first place, people wouldn't have had their unrealistic expectations shattered. They would have just stuck with Windows as they should have.

I've collected below a list of links to articles and blogs that overhype Linux (shame on them). The one (ironically enough) entitled "Why Linux is Better" happens to be one of few that admit Linux may not be a good choice for a number of situations, but it throws that in as a P.S. below a lot of hype at the top.

Our Linux Top 10 Reasons
Why Linux is Better
10 Reasons Why Linux Ubuntu is Better than Windows
Ubuntu - an amazing alternative to Windows
Switching From Windows To Linux
Everything About Linux
Ubuntu! An alternative to Windows and Mac
Linux Friday: Reasons To Switch To Ubuntu (Or Any Linux Distribution)
Why Use Linux?
With Vista's View Getting Dimmer, Should You Give Linux A Chance?

You won't have to read through all those links to get the impression that Linux (and Ubuntu in particular) is the best thing since sliced bread or vanilla ice cream. Linux for home users is a choice many people don't know they have, and they should be made aware of that choice, but they shouldn't have that choice shoved down their throats or made out to be the unambiguously "best" choice.

I humbly offer my own write-up to potential migrants. It was written a long time ago, but I think it still holds kernels of truth, even as Ubuntu has become more polished over the years: Is Ubuntu for You?

Don't believe the hype. Explore your options cautiously, be skeptical of any article or blog that appears one-sided, and come to Linux with an open mind. If you follow that advice, whether you stay with Windows or end up moving to Linux, you won't regret anything. (I've left out mention of Mac users here, because most of these overhype-Linux write-ups target Windows users.)