We asked the devoted Linux users, the dual-Windows-and-Linux-booters, and the newer converts to the open-source operating system last week why they made the switch to Linux, and received over 330 responses as of this posting. The answers were sometimes level-headed, often passionate in their embrace of open-source culture, and occasionally induced a laugh (or a cringe) with tales of the last straw before switching.

KDE 4.1, released last month, brought a great number of improvements to the popular desktop environment. It’s the best desktop I’ve ever used — but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be better. Here are 10 features that would be great additions to a future KDE release that I hope the developers will consider.

For everyday users, the semantic desktop will allow enhanced searching of the type that has already been introduced by applications like Beagle, but with more user control than any existing program. For more sophisticated users, such as academic researchers, while Nepomuk will not actual do data-mining itself, it will assist such processes.

Bordeaux is a commercial User Interface to the Wine software that allows Linux systems to run Windows software. The Bordeaux Technology Group distributes this software and provides professional support to companies and individuals. I interviewed Tom Wickline to get some details and find out what they’re up to now.

The much-hyped “year of the Linux desktop” may still not be with us but there’s no doubting the free open-source operating system has gained significant traction in the last year. One reason for this is, with equal certainty, the mess that is Windows Vista. Here’s how it’s actively driving new interest in Linux.

For new users though the Xandros Linux configuration is very easy to use with its IceWM-based manager and simple tabs for navigating between the different areas. However, we would have liked to see ASUS use Ubuntu’s Netbook Remix for the Eee PC. Perhaps we will see them make the switch for a future model.

Held at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York, the End User Collaboration Summit will give “sophisticated” end users an opportunity to “learn and interact with leaders from within the Linux community, including the highest level maintainers and developers,” says the non-profit Linux Foundation, which will host the event.

The new beta of MEPIS 8, like MEPIS 7, is based on Debian rather than Ubuntu. Creator Warren Woodford decided to switch to Debian in the summer of 2007. Specifically, MEPIS 8 is being built on the forthcoming Debian 5, Lenny.

This is just a mockup that someone put together for a possible look and feel for the next Ubuntu release (Intrepid Ibex), which is due out in October. But. Wow. Yes. This is what it should look like.

If you were to run across gOS by buying a new netbook that shipped with it, we have no doubt you’d be impressed. While we have no doubt that gOS will ruffle some feathers, we also have no doubt that Mom and Dad won’t care one bit as they sit in the Maldives emailing “wish you were here” pictures of the beach.