It's hard to convince Joe and Mary User to convert to Linux when the first things you hear from them are: "Where's my <insert stupid application here>?" "Why can't I just have <insert ridiculous thing here>?" or the ever-popular "This doesn't work like <insert overpriced application here>?" Honestly, it's enough to make me want to tell them to "just buy a Mac and stop calling me." Linux, after all, is for smart people and I really don't find any reason to "dumb it down" for the general population.

Linux converts feel that they must proselytize everyone they know and have them experience the awesomeness of Linux. Well, stop it--it just isn't going to work. Spend your time doing something more constructive and less frustrating. You'll be happier. They'll be happier. Apple and Microsoft will make more money, which will make them happier.

There's no need to convert the masses to Linux. Let them flounder and complain and pay you to fix their systems. Why fight it? If they buy into a Microsoft system and need you to fix it, you can charge them. On the other hand, if you convert them to Linux, you'll have to fix their system free of charge for the rest of your life because you converted them to it.

Linux is too complex for Joe and Mary User and that's as it should be. You wouldn't try to convert them to partial differential calculus just because you find it so fascinating, now would you?

Joe and Mary are content with having to reboot their systems at least once a day, having issues with drivers, endless service packs, updates and malicious software removal tools. They love their anti-virus programs and spyware killers. Leave well-enough alone. They are doing it the way they want--the way they've been trained and the way they've paid good money to do it.

Go back to your basements. Go and play some video games. Go test out your latest unstable kernels. Install all of the Ubuntu, Red Hat, Debian and CentOS virtual machines you want in your Linux-based hypervisors and let them go to operating system Hades.

Stop trying to convert by speaking of stability, freedom, price and versatility. Keep it to yourself. No one wants to hear it. There's been no prophet ordaining you to go two-by-two into all the homes in your neighborhood, spreading the gospel of Linux, converting tired old computers, teaching the reboot weary and having your heart ripped-out by all the dumb questions about "How do I get my Internet to work on this thing?"

You'll never convince them of your new way. They'll never see the light that you peer into for 16 hours a day. They'll never appreciate the thousands of volunteer hours that went into building Linux nor will they care. Do yourself a favor and drop it. Take a vacation to a Linux conference. Have yourself some micro-brewed beers. Quote some movie lines to fellow geeks. Talk about swords and elves and Led Zeppelin lyrics. Do anything but try to convert any more non-geeks to your way of life. They'll never get it.

Seriously, just let it go.