So Windows XP is riding off into the sunset (well, it will be a long ride since Microsoft will offer support through 2014.) But now there's a debate running throughout the Web and in the market now as to whether the Vista hatred that continues to build will lead to quicker adoption of Linux.

But a transition to Linux for many is about as easy as switching from a car with an automatic transmission to one with a stick shift. There can be a lot of bumps and knocks along the way.

Dan Craciun takes a stab at how you can make learning about Linux a little easier:

I remember that when I started I made some very dumb questions on forums and IRC, but I always liked to read documentation, which is by far the best way of learning Linux in my opinion. There is a saying which goes like 'give a man a fish and he will have food for one day, teach the same man how to fish and he will have food for his entire life.' Well, not exactly like this, but you got the point. I think keeping asking questions rather than reading manuals and tutorials first will get you out of trouble for the moment, but there will always be problems in the future which need to be taken care of.

Adam Kane at Foogazi.com picks up on this point, and adds:

A lot of new Linux users will ask a question on a forum or in an IRC chat room and demand or expect a direct answer. However, a lot of times what they end up getting is a way to solve their problem, not exactly how to do it. There is a general consensus among old time and advanced Linux users that it's important to read documentation and manuals if you want answers.

Kane then lists a few ways to shorten the Linux learning curve, including "Start off on the command line to learn the true way of Linux before you start on the desktop and use GUI tools to do everything for you. Remember each GUI tool you use is just a front end for command line tools that can accomplish the same thing."

Many people would rather just go fishing than use command lines, but in a post-Vista world anything might be possible.