Linux Desktops getting easier? Or Microsoft Desktops getting harder?

This was an interesting article given some of my past comments on the Linux Desktop. I'm beginning to wonder if it is a race for Linux to get better, or if it is just a matter of waiting until Microsoft hoists itself by its own petard with its convoluted and ever more restrictive licensing. I don't think Linux won here because it is perfect on the desktop, but it clearly reached that cross over point where it was better at *something* important.

To be honest, Linux has had some similar problems (Adaptec and the infamous SAS driver comes to mind) but now when people hit problems like this, they have to stop and think: Is it worth it? What are my options?

And Linux is now truly an option to consider.