You really have to respect microsoft, Afterall we could only dream about how successful they have bean, but with a generation thats becoming more and more computer savvy, Microsoft really do have something to worry about.
I was 13 years old when I first tried Linux and I really like it, I do say after learning there are free and more reliable alternatives, Why pay $200 for a unreliable piece of software when you can get a great piece which does what I need for free. Aswell as purchasing microsoft windows, You actually have no rights to it, You are purchasing a licence to use it, with linux you actually have the right to do what the heck you like it.
As for Microsoft Office, Many people are switching to great alternatives such as OpenOffice.
Hotmail - Microsoft were giving 2MB, GMail which I have to say is the best web-based email I have used, Offered 1GB, Google are a laid back company and always like to entertain their users, Email coming out on April Fools? What an great idea.
Just you wait, nobody will have privacy, Sure you will have a right to it, but using anything you will be signing it away, Wether its to google or by a company stealing it via spyware, Its going to happen, Get used to it, We are moving to computers, Its only a matter of time before your watching your PC as your main TV.
There must be thousands of people daily buying a computer, setting up a network, Wanting to setup a website and wanting to feed their mind knowledge, A lot of these people will one way or another will learn about linux, What happens when most of the general public are computer savvy? Microsoft wont like it, You may think its a long time away but just look how fast computers have evolved, Im amazed at the speed.
PS. Anyone seen Ubuntu are offering Free CD's, Just order online, No shipping costs
PSS. Duhhh Bill Gates doesnt even look like a geek, He has bottles of water