As somebody who fully embraces the Free Software principle, I have no need for Windows 8 in my environment. Never used any version of Windows, and never will.

Previous versions of Windows were bad enough, but Windows 8, with its Restricted Boot requirements, have made dual-booting a Linux distribution with Windows 8 on store-bought computers a royal pain in the rear end.

Since we don’t have the political clout to bribe (lobby) our elected officials to break the unholy alliance between Microsoft and hardware vendors, educating Windows users on the benefits of using Linux is the best we can do – for now.

Most of my Windows-using friends have refused to upgrade to Windows 8. The few that have, are not very happy with it. I wage a personal campaign, using dual-booting as the gateway. To make it easier to convince your friends to “Close Windows and open doors,” the Free Software Foundation has set up a Web page that you can send to your friends. The message is simple, but effective. Upgrade from Windows 8.

We frown upon drinking and driving, and texting and driving. Add using Windows 8 to that list. Note that trying to get your friends to quit cold-turkey is not the best way. Getting them to test-drive your favorite Linux distribution from a CD or USB stick is much better.
Windows 8 switch to Linux